Honda Gas Mowers Still Available

[Nessism1]

Here I was, minding my own business shopping on HomeDepot.com, when my past viewing history triggered some algorithm in the software, and before I knew it, I was staring at a brand-new Honda gas mower available for next day delivery. Blade brake clutch, hydrostatic drive, $699 (MSRP $1100). So, being the weak person that I am, I bought one.

California outlawed the sale of new gas mowers produced after Jan 1, 2024, but since this unit was made prior to that, it's green light. No doubt, this machine fell prey to the camshaft recall debacle. The HD website states "235 available". I suspect these will be the end of the era when they are gone.

A year ago, faced with a failing older Honda, I bought a hot rod Toro commercial w/Kawasaki engine. It's an absolute tank; heavy, hard to maneuver, and generally way overkill for my yard. It's also hard to start. My older Honda always started first or second pull. I mistreated it badly, and it started burning oil. My yard is very sandy. With hindsight, I think grit got past the airfilter, because I didn't change/clean it very often, wearing out the rings/cylinder. Odd thing, though, it was chugging along just fine, but when I changed the oil one time, it started smoking like crazy after that. Coincidence? Or, bad luck?

The manual states to use 10W-30 SJ or later. Any concerns with using synthetic? I'm kind of spooked, because I had an earlier Honda, from the 1990's, that burned a lot of oil, then my more recent Honda burned oil. I want this one to last.

 

[benjamming]

No concern with synthetic. I've used that in all my pushmowers including a Honda I bought a couple years ago.

 

[jeepman3071]

No concern with synthetic. I've used that in all my pushmowers including a Honda I bought a couple years ago.

+1

Nice mower! Air filters are very important on lawn mowers.

 

[BISCUT]

I have an old Honda that was $375/$400 new. Has taken a beating on my home property. This spring it may be time for a new one. I'll be buying one outside my home state, Socialist Republic of NY.

 

[John105]

I’m using synthetic in my 2022. That is a good price as I paid $649 sans hydrostatic!

 

[shortyb]

Is it the HRX217K6HYAD? If so, you will love it. Basically same mower as my 10 year old one, except brand new.

 

[Nessism1]

Is it the HRX217K6HYAD? If so, you will love it. Basically same mower as my 10 year old one, except brand new.

Yes, same! Thanks!

 

[carviewsonic]

My Honda mower (5 years old) is very sensitive to oil level. Just a couple millimeters over the full mark (hot) results in smoking on a cold start. A couple millimeters under the full mark and there is no smoke. Oil level doesn’t change through the OCI. I use 5W30 synthetic, since it’s always on hand for the cars.

 

[97prizm]

Here I was, minding my own business shopping on HomeDepot.com, when my past viewing history triggered some algorithm in the software, and before I knew it, I was staring at a brand-new Honda gas mower available for next day delivery. Blade brake clutch, hydrostatic drive, $699 (MSRP $1100). So, being the weak person that I am, I bought one.

California outlawed the sale of new gas mowers produced after Jan 1, 2024, but since this unit was made prior to that, it's green light. No doubt, this machine fell prey to the camshaft recall debacle. The HD website states "235 available". I suspect these will be the end of the era when they are gone.

A year ago, faced with a failing older Honda, I bought a hot rod Toro commercial w/Kawasaki engine. It's an absolute tank; heavy, hard to maneuver, and generally way overkill for my yard. It's also hard to start. My older Honda always started first or second pull. I mistreated it badly, and it started burning oil. My yard is very sandy. With hindsight, I think grit got past the airfilter, because I didn't change/clean it very often, wearing out the rings/cylinder. Odd thing, though, it was chugging along just fine, but when I changed the oil one time, it started smoking like crazy after that. Coincidence? Or, bad luck?

The manual states to use 10W-30 SJ or later. Any concerns with using synthetic? I'm kind of spooked, because I had an earlier Honda, from the 1990's, that burned a lot of oil, then my more recent Honda burned oil. I want this one to last.

On my 15ish year old yard machines I've found that it burns way less oil using a 10w-40 synthetic. The two times I had it tuned up the guy always put sae 30w conventional in and it smoked like a chimney. The manual even highly recommends synthetic for hot applications.

 

[Cujet]

As always, air cooled engines can often benefit from higher viscosity oil for protection. These Honda engines are consumer grade, and may not utilize a cast iron bore. My GCV190 powered mower seems to have a coated aluminum bore.

 

[shortyb]

As always, air cooled engines can often benefit from higher viscosity oil for protection. These Honda engines are consumer grade, and may not utilize a cast iron bore. My GCV190 powered mower seems to have a coated aluminum bore.

Same. In fact the cylinder/barrel assembly is one piece for the GCV190 on mine, with no additional liner. $70 if I replace the whole piece though. Used 0W-40/5W-40 in all my Honda GCVs and never any consumption or other issues. I'll save the $70 for ammo .

 

[Sam_Julier]

I have a 16 year old Honda GCV160 and a 5 year old GCV190.

Both get 15W40 changed monthly with the blade change.

Neither burn any oil.

 

[tbm5690]

I have a 16 year old Honda GCV160 and a 5 year old GCV190.

Both get 15W40 changed monthly with the blade change.

Neither burn any oil.

Monthly blade and oil changes?

 

[Oldwolf]

I give mine an annual change with 0W-40 and run non alcohol gasoline in it.

 

[Nessism1]

Got the machine! Yeah, to that! Still in the box, but planning the unveiling today. The box label has the "green dot", suggesting the machine has had its camshaft replaced.

I have a jug of Mobil Delvac Extreme 10W-30 I'll be switching to, after the factory oil has outlived its usefulness. I may switch over to something heavier in the future, based on the good word of mouth in this thread.

Thanks for all the positive comments...

 

[John105]

+1

Nice mower! Air filters are very important on lawn mowers.

Mine once fell off and I didn’t know. Snagged a branch…

 

[John105]

Got the machine! Yeah, to that! Still in the box, but planning the unveiling today. The box label has the "green dot", suggesting the machine has had its camshaft replaced.

I have a jug of Mobil Delvac Extreme 10W-30 I'll be switching to, after the factory oil has outlived its usefulness. I may switch over to something heavier in the future, based on the good word of mouth in this thread.

Thanks for all the positive comments...

Take a video….I did! I mean for me it’s a every 20 year thing

 

[Bluestream]

Here I was, minding my own business shopping on HomeDepot.com, when my past viewing history triggered some algorithm in the software, and before I knew it, I was staring at a brand-new Honda gas mower available for next day delivery. Blade brake clutch, hydrostatic drive, $699 (MSRP $1100). So, being the weak person that I am, I bought one.

California outlawed the sale of new gas mowers produced after Jan 1, 2024, but since this unit was made prior to that, it's green light. No doubt, this machine fell prey to the camshaft recall debacle. The HD website states "235 available". I suspect these will be the end of the era when they are gone.

A year ago, faced with a failing older Honda, I bought a hot rod Toro commercial w/Kawasaki engine. It's an absolute tank; heavy, hard to maneuver, and generally way overkill for my yard. It's also hard to start. My older Honda always started first or second pull. I mistreated it badly, and it started burning oil. My yard is very sandy. With hindsight, I think grit got past the airfilter, because I didn't change/clean it very often, wearing out the rings/cylinder. Odd thing, though, it was chugging along just fine, but when I changed the oil one time, it started smoking like crazy after that. Coincidence? Or, bad luck?

The manual states to use 10W-30 SJ or later. Any concerns with using synthetic? I'm kind of spooked, because I had an earlier Honda, from the 1990's, that burned a lot of oil, then my more recent Honda burned oil. I want this one to last.

Your earlier Hondas may have burned oil, but not likely from abuse. These engines used a cast iron oil control ring that did not hold up. If you take the head off you will see all the factory cross hatch, and there is an updated oil ring if you wanted to bother to take it apart. my 1988 HR214 burns a whisper of oil on start up, but I can't be bothered to fix it. It will still be running long after Im gone

 

[shortyb]

Got the machine! Yeah, to that! Still in the box, but planning the unveiling today. The box label has the "green dot", suggesting the machine has had its camshaft replaced.

I have a jug of Mobil Delvac Extreme 10W-30 I'll be switching to, after the factory oil has outlived its usefulness. I may switch over to something heavier in the future, based on the good word of mouth in this thread.

Thanks for all the positive comments...

Good deal. Wondered if it was one of the "hold stop sale" units because of the camshaft recall. I know Honda fixed a bunch of new units before sale to customers. That oil included is nothing special and wouldn't run it more than 5-10 hours for break-in anyway, so switch to the Delvac after that. Done that to every small engine I've owned and none have ever used any oil. Keep up on the cable adjustment for that machine, they stretch quite a bit when new. Happy mowing!

 

[Nessism1]

Unboxed today. Dumped in the supplied oil. Added gas. And one half-hearted cord pull later, the machine fired and settled into a nice smooth running condition.

The machine is reasonably light, at least much more so than my Toro. I realize that the pressure lubricated Kawasaki engine is superior, overall, but for my use case, it's a fair bit higher effort to use.

Feeling a bit giddy right now. Thinking, hoping, this may be the last mower I ever buy (I'm 63 years old). Going to keep the air filter CLEAN. I already have a spare, so I'll rotate them every few uses, just in case.