Honda Lawn Mower Engine Surge After Changing Oil.

[Nessism1]

First oil change. Tipped the mower over to the RH side, away from the carb, to drain the oil out the fill spout. Noticed some gas leaking, but not much.

Started, and now the engine surges at low throttle settings. High throttle, normal running, is fine. Thought the air filter may be saturated with gas, but removing it entirely nets the same result.

I don't mind taking the carb off, but what to look for? This mower is basically brand new.

Please share suggestions. I love this thing...

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I would let it sit for a day or so as If gas got someplace not so good, it may evaporate?
Just a thought?

 

[Astro_Guy]

View attachment 315436

Do you mean to tell us on a public forum that you are running a gasoline powered lawnmower in California? The thought police are probably already on their way to your home.

All joking aside, if the air filter didn't get clogged with oil then whatever you are experiencing should work itself out shortly. Hoperfully you've checked the oil level after a lengthy rest and confirmed that it isn't seriuosly overfilled.

 

[grasscutter]

Did you remember to turn the fuel valve off before tipping the mower over?

 

[Nessism1]

Do you mean to tell us on a public forum that you are running a gasoline powered lawnmower in California? The thought police are probably already on their way to your home.

All joking aside, if the air filter didn't get clogged with oil then whatever you are experiencing should work itself out shortly. Hoperfully you've checked the oil level after a lengthy rest and confirmed that it isn't seriuosly overfilled.

Actually, I bought TWO gas mowers before the state Gestapo forced everyone to buy electric! This Honda, and a Kawasaki engine Toro commercial.

The oil change was more than a week ago, but the problem continues. I was hoping it would clear up, but no.

I did not turn off the fuel valve before tipping over the machine to change the oil.

 

[jtwrace]

Pour some Mechanic In A Bottle in there. All fixed.

 

[grasscutter]

That looks like the same engine as the one on my HRN. I had a surge on mine right out of the box.

I had to modify the carb slightly to eliminate the surge. The surge I had was at fast idle - blades not engaged.

 

[shortyb]

Drop the float bowl and check for free movement of the float. Sometimes extreme angles will stick the float in the up position and cause overfueling. Full throttle will keep up with the flow, but low settings won't. Hondas like to be run at full throttle anyway. Also, if you had gas leaking when turned on the right side, it could have washed some dirt into the tiny vent hole on the engine-side of the carb. Happens a lot and can cause idle surge too. I avoid the turning on it's side and use my oil extractor to change the oil. And ALWAYS turn the fuel valve off. Seen these things leak half a tank out due to stuck floats when the fuel valve is left open.

 

[grasscutter]

Cut that limiter cap right where I have the red dotted line and then turn it to the left and park it at 9:00 O'clock. From the factory it has a limited range between 11:00 O'clock and 1:00 O'clock.

 

[repairman54]

2x, thats how they made it lean and CARB compliant.

 

[Nessism1]

Cleaning the carb pilot circuit solved the problem. Why did doing an oil change cause the pilot to plug? Anyway, all good now.

 

[ripcord]

Cleaning the carb pilot circuit solved the problem. Why did doing an oil change cause the pilot to plug? Anyway, all good now.

Most likely you had some sediment in the bottom of the bowl and it migrated to someplace it shouldn't when you tipped it.