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AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS

When properly maintained, your Honda lawn mower should provide years of trouble-free operation. This includes the fuel system. However, 
gasoline can quickly deteriorate (in as little as 30 days) causing starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel system. 
Most fuel-related problems can be avoided by following the precautions listed below. Fuel system damage and engine performance problems 
resulting from deteriorated gasoline are not covered by the 

DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY

 (see 

page 21

).

Follow These Precautions to Prevent Most Fuel-Related Problems

During the Normal Mowing Season

Reason

Do not use gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol (E10). Not 
all automotive gasoline is safe to use in your power product.

Higher levels of ethanol in gasoline attract water, and can corrode or 
damage the fuel system and cause performance problems. 

Store gasoline in a clean, plastic, sealed container approved for fuel 
storage. 
Store your fuel supply container away from direct sunlight; if the 
container has a vent, keep it closed.

A plastic container eliminates the risk of rust and metallic 
contaminants from a metal container entering the fuel system.
Gasoline will deteriorate faster when exposed to air and sunlight.

Purchase only enough gasoline to last for 1 to 2 months (about 30 to 
60 days).
If you purchase enough gasoline to last for more than 60 days, add 
a fuel stabilizer to your storage container when you fill it.

Gasoline deteriorates with age so try to avoid storing it for long 
periods, especially in summer heat.
Fuel stabilizer will extend the shelf life of gasoline, but it will not 
reconstitute stale fuel.

Keep your lawn mower’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use. 
Turn the fuel valve OFF.

If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel 
deterioration.

Keep the air filter clean and properly serviced. Check it before each 
use.

A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the 
carburetor. The small passages inside the carburetor can become 
blocked.

3 to 4 Weeks Before Next Use

Reason

Keep your lawn mower’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use. 
Turn the fuel valve OFF.

If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel 
deterioration.

With the fuel valve OFF, start the engine and let it run approximately 
3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the engine stops. 

The small amount of gasoline in your engine’s carburetor will 
deteriorate faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small 
volume and heat from the engine.

1 to 3 Months Before Next Use

Reason

If you did not add fuel stabilizer to your fuel storage container when 
you filled it up, fill your lawn mower’s fuel tank with fresh gasoline. 

If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel 
deterioration.

Add fuel stabilizer to the lawn mower’s fuel tank according to the 
stabilizer manufacturer’s instructions. 

Fuel stabilizer will extend the life of gasoline, but it will not 
reconstitute stale gasoline.

Turn the fuel valve OFF, start the engine, and let it run 
approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the 
engine stops. 

The small amount of gasoline in your engine’s carburetor will 
deteriorate faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small 
volume and heat from the engine.

More Than 3 Months Before Next Use

Reason

Start the engine and let it run long enough to empty all the gasoline 
from the entire fuel system, including the fuel tank. 
Do not allow gasoline to remain in your lawn mower’s fuel tank for 
more than 3 months (about 90 days) of inactivity.

All fuel stabilizers have a shelf life. It is good practice to empty the 
fuel system for long term inactivity.

If you have fuel left in your storage container at the end of the operating season, recycle the fuel into your car’s fuel tank and dispose of it. 
We recommend Pro Honda Fuel Stabilizer, that has improved formulation with added corrosion protection (page 18)

Summary of Contents for HRS216SKA

Page 1: ...4 Side Discharge Chute 4 Blade Control Check 11 Air Index 15 Check the Oil Level 5 TRANSPORTING 12 Specifications 15 Add Fuel 5 STORAGE 12 AVOIDING FUEL RELATED PROBLEMS 16 OPERATION 6 Fuel 12 CUSTOMER INFORMATION 17 Safe Mowing Practices 6 Oil 12 Parts Accessories and Service Items 17 Operating the Controls 7 Cleaning 12 Dealer Locator Information 17 Operating the Controls 7 Storage Location 12 H...

Page 2: ...ges preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION Each message tells you what the hazard is what can happen and what you can do to avoid or reduce injury These signal words mean Damage Prevention Messages you will also see other important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE This word means California Proposition 65 This product contains or emit...

Page 3: ...oil If the engine is overfilled the excess oil may get transferred to the air cleaner housing and air filter An indication of overfilling is white or blue smoke coming from the muffler when the engine is running After filling the engine with oil screw the filler cap dipstick in and remove the hang tag near the recoil starter grip that says The engine has no oil Please Register Your Mower Please ta...

Page 4: ...ck by thrown objects Clear the area of pets and people especially children Their safety is your responsibility Check the condition of the grass Adjust your lawn mower ground speed and mowing swath accordingly Rear Shield During normal use the rear shield is subject to deterioration and wear Check the rear shield for cracks or tears If the rear shield is excessively worn have it replaced by your au...

Page 5: ...ethanol or methanol greater than shown above may cause starting and or performance problems It may also damage metal rubber and plastic parts of the fuel system Engine damage or performance problems that result form using a fuel with percentages of ethanol or methanol greater than shown above are not covered under warranty If your equipment will be used on an infrequent or intermittent basis more ...

Page 6: ... the lawn ahead stop the engine by releasing the blade control lever Avoid Slopes Avoid steep slopes of more than 20 Mow across slopes not up and down Be careful when changing direction Mowing on a slope when the grass is damp or wet could cause you to slip fall and lose control of the mower NOTICE Mowing on steep slopes can starve the engine of oil causing engine damage that is not covered by the...

Page 7: ...le maintenance procedures using basic hand tools Other service tasks that are more difficult or require special tools are best handled by professionals and are normally performed by a Honda technician or other qualified mechanic The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions If you operate your mower under severe conditions such as sustained high load high temperature or unusually...

Page 8: ...e failures Item Action Before each use 5 hours of use or first month First 25 hours of use 50 hours of use or every 6 months 100 hours of use or every year 150 hours of use or every two years See page Rear shield Check O 4 Blade Inspect O 9 Blade mounting bolts Inspect O 9 Engine oil Check O 5 Change O O 2 O O 10 Air filter Check O 10 Clean O 1 O 1 O 1 Replace O Blade control operation Check O O 1...

Page 9: ...nch Use a wooden block to prevent the blade from turning when removing the bolts Remove the blade 2 Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area 3 Install the sharpened or replacement blade using the two blade bolts and special washers as shown below The blade bolts and washers are specially designed for this application When replacing bolts and washers use only Honda Genuine replaceme...

Page 10: ...AE oil viscosity and service category are in the API label on the oil container Honda recommends API service category SJ or later oil Air Filter Clean the air filter after the first 25 hours of use Thereafter clean the filter every 6 months or 50 hours of use Clean the filter more often when used in dusty areas Replace the filter every 2 years or 150 hours of use A properly maintained air filter w...

Page 11: ... engine Overtightening the spark plug can damage the threads in the cylinder head 7 Install the spark plug cap on the spark plug Spark Arrester optional part The spark arrester must be serviced every 100 hours to keep it functioning as designed Your lawn mower engine is not factory equipped with a spark arrester In some areas it is illegal to operate an engine without a spark arrester Check local ...

Page 12: ...nter the carburetor or engine cylinder causing damage Water contacting a hot engine can cause damage If the engine has been running allow it to cool before washing Drying After washing the lawn mower wipe dry all accessible surfaces Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface Start the engine outdoors and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature to evaporate any water remain...

Page 13: ...ore frequently Grass is too wet Allow the grass to dry Mower deck is clogged Clean out the mower deck page 12 Air filter is clogged Clean or replace the air filter page 10 Bad fuel mower stored without treating gasoline or refueled with bad gasoline Refuel with fresh gasoline page 5 Fuel filter clogged carburetor malfunction ignition malfunction valves stuck etc Take the mower to an authorized Hon...

Page 14: ...ditionally Honda fuel systems utilize components and control technologies to reduce evaporative emissions U S and California Clean Air Acts and Canadian Environment Protection Act U S EPA California and Canadian regulations require all manufacturers to furnish written instructions describing the operation and maintenance of emissions control systems The following instructions and procedures must b...

Page 15: ...ower deck single speed flywheel brake side discharge Auto Choke System Length 63 7 8 in 1621 mm Width 23 in 585 mm Overall height 37 3 8 in 948 mm Dry weight 68 6 lb 31 1 kg Cutting width 21 0 in 530 mm Cutting heights 6 1 3 1 2 in 26 88 mm Model GCV160 Type 4 stroke overhead cam single cylinder air cooled Displacement 9 8 cu in 160 cc Bore and stroke 2 52 x 1 97 in 64 0 x 50 0 mm Compression rati...

Page 16: ...ced Check it before each use A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the carburetor The small passages inside the carburetor can become blocked 3 to 4 Weeks Before Next Use Reason Keep your lawn mower s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use Turn the fuel valve OFF If the fuel tank is only partially filled air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration With the...

Page 17: ... it to the new owner if you resell the lawn mower The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing American Honda Motor Co Inc reserves the right however to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatever No part of this publication may be reproduced without wr...

Page 18: ...18 NOTES ...

Page 19: ...19 NOTES ...

Page 20: ...20 NOTES ...

Page 21: ... implied warranty lasts and or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above exclusions and limitations may not apply to you This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state Honda Parts Accessories and Apparel This warranty is limited to Honda Power Equipment parts accessories and apparel ...

Page 22: ...nterval only Honda will also replace other engine components damaged by a failure of any warranted part during the warranty period The use of replacement parts not equivalent to the original parts may impair the effectiveness of your engine emission control system If such a replacement part is used in the repair or maintenance of your engine and an authorized Honda dealer determines it is defectiv...

Page 23: ...your lawn mower does not diminish your warranty rights Please complete and mail the postage paid card or register online at powerequipment honda com AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO INC ALPHARETTA GA 30005 8847 HRS2165PKA XX MZBZ AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO INC ALPHARETTA GA 30005 8847 MEETS CPSC BLADE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS CONFORMS TO ANSI B 71 1 SAFETY STANDARD 1234567 Fill in your mowers serial number here ex...

Page 24: ...click Submit It s that simple Power Equipment Division American Honda Motor Co Inc 4900 Marconi Dr Alpharetta GA 30005 9956 NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES Product Registration BUSINESS REPLY MAIL FIRST CLASS MAIL ALPHARETTA GA PERMIT NO 117 POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE HPE 2015 04 PRINTED IN U S A EM5 K5 ...

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