AboutEric A. Jones Expertise Lawnmower Repair . Certified Master Service Technician from B&S. Have 13 years experience on B&S, Lawn Chief, Weed Eater, Echo, Peerless, Wheel Horse, Snapper, Atlas, MTD, McCulloch, Homelite and many other numerous brands. Specialize in electrical repair.
Experience Born and raised in the midwest. Started tinkering with engines when I was about 14 on my Suzuki RM-80. I began lawn mower repair at a small hardware store. I knew absolutely nothing. I read lots of repair manuals and met an older fellow who taught me many lessons. I continued working on small engines through high school and paid my way through college working on mowers at the same hardware store. Decided to get away from the midwest and mower repair so I joined the Air Force. I repaired air traffic control electronic equipment and ended up in Hawaii where I got a part time job at Small Engine Clinic. I gained a lot of experience from the Small Engine Clinic and had a blast repairing small engines. I then took the Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician test and earned my MST. I then traveled to Wisconsin where I attended the factory update training seminar and received formal training. I received a scholarship from the Air Force and am currently pursuing another degree.
Question Ex wife has a Honda HR215 SX given with the house. Was running good and now will not stay running. Starts good and runs about two seconds and quits. Drained gas, cleaned out gas bowl, sprayed cleaner into carb and onto float and area to clean gunk. Readjusted needle valve on carb, oil was OVER full and drained and refilled. Only starts in full choke position and runs only on HIGH speed setting. Was smoking a great deal on start before. After adjustment still does a little. This problem has gotten worse as time went by she tells me now. Do not have a manual for mower.
Answer I don't have a muanul on the mower but the symptoms you described are classic dirty carb indications.
Have you removed, dis-assembled and cleaned the carb with compressed air from an air compressor and carb cleaner?
Did the oil smell like gas? If so, then the carb inlet needle may be leaking and needs to be replaced.
Clean the carb and let me know what happens.
Eric
