17
TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS

Engine Will Not Start

Loss of Power

Vibration

Mowing and Bagging Problems

Possible Cause Correction
Fuel valve OFF Turn the fuel valve ON (page 6).
Throttle lever in the wrong
position Move the throttle lever to the
CHOKE position, unless the engine
is warm (page 7).
Key switch OFF
(HMA) Turn the key switch ON to use the
recoil starter (page 7).
Out of fuel Refuel (page 14).
Bad fuel, mower stored
without treating gasoline, or
refueled with bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline
(page 14).
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
improperly gapped Gap or replace the spark plug
(page 13).
Spark plug wet with fuel
(flooded engine) Dry and reinstall the spark plug.
Battery discharged
(HMA) Recharge the battery (page 14).
Fuse burned out
(HMA) Replace the fuse (page 15).
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition
malfunction, valves stuck,
etc.
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Possible Cause Correction
Throttle not set to FAST Move the throttle to the FAST
position (page 7).
Grass too tall or wet Raise the cutting height (page 9),
cut a narrower swath, use a slower
ground speed, cut more frequently
when the grass is dry, or move the
Clip Director knob toward the BAG
position (page 5).
Mower deck clogged Clean out the mower deck.
Air filter clogged Clean or replace the air filter
(page 12).
Bad fuel, mower stored
without treating gasoline, or
refueled with bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline
(page 14).
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition
malfunction, valves stuck,
etc.
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Possible Cause Correction
Grass and debris lodged
under the mower deck Clean out the mower deck.
Blades loose, bent, damaged,
or unbalanced by improper
sharpening
Tighten loose blade bolts
(page 11).
If blades are found to be bent or
damaged, take the lawn mower to
an authorized Honda servicing
dealer for inspection (page 10).
Mechanical damage, such as
a bent crankshaft Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Possible Cause Correction
Engine speed is too slow to
cut well Move the throttle lever to the FAST
position (page 7).
Mower is moving too fast for
lawn conditions Shift to slow speed (page 7).
Cutting height adjustment
levers set at different
positions
Set all levers at the same cutting
height position (page 6).
Grass bag overfilled or
clogged Empty the grass bag. Wash the
grass bag if it is clogged with dirt
(page 11).
Mower deck clogged Clean out the mower deck.
Blades dull, worn, or
damaged Sharpen or replace the blades if
necessary (page 10).
Wrong blades installed Install correct blades (page 10).