I'm a new to Honda equipment but after doing some legwork I'm about to pull the trigger on a Honda mower (HRR216K9VKA). However, before I do I just want to get some information on the autochoke feature. I've read plenty of reviews and feedback complaining about the feature and how much extra upkeep is needed to keep it in working order. Apparently there are quite a few who think Honda should do away with the feature.
Is the autochoke as bad as I'm hearing?
Honda has been fitting the autochoke to mowers for a number of years now. Last year, a batch of mowers were manufactured with autochokes parts that were right on the edge of engineering/manufacturing tolerances. One part was plastic and the other was metal, and the metal part pivoted the choke plate. In some cases, the plastic part was just a
tiny bit too large, and the metal part was a
tiny bit too small, and this would cause the metal part to hang up, forcing the choke plate to stay open all the time. This could make the engine difficult if not impossible to start. Honda engineers recognized the issue and tracked down the serial number ranges of the affected mowers and issued a Service Bulletin back in January advising dealers how to check the mowers and how to replace the defective parts. Dealers were instructed to inspect and repair all new mowers they hand in inventory that were in the affected serial number range.
All current production mowers have updated autochoke parts with improved specifications, and inventory in dealer stock has been inspected and updated as needed. FYI, the "K9" in the model name designates the version number of the mower, and K9 is the most current for this model.
Of course, it is impossible to say with 100% certainty that
every single mower out there has been checked, but if you do buy one and it does have an issue, your Honda dealer is very aware of it and it will be repaired under warranty. Ideally, it would be best to purchase from a reputable servicing dealer and discuss the issue with them
before the purchase. Pretty good chance they will have a mower already set-up and serviced you can start and run before taking it home, or at least let you know they have inspected it and made any needed updates.
A little tech info: When an engine is cold, it needs more fuel and less air to start, so the air flow is restricted by a plate called a choke. On some mowers, this was manually controlled by a remote lever, or built into the throttle. After the engine has started and warmed up, the choke plate is opened, allowing full flow of air into the engine. The autochoke does this, well, automatically. On a cold engine, a spring holds the choke plate closed all the way. When the engine starts and begins to heat up, a wax cylinder with a small piston inside starts to expand, slowing pushing the piston out. This piston moves a control arm that forces the choke plate to slowly open. When you shut off the engine, the wax in the cylinder cools and contracts, the piston retracts, and the spring pulls the choke closed again.
The only real "trick" to getting the autochoke to work is to remember to let the engine fully warm up. Don't start the engine, then shut it off, then try and restart it again. The choke will be open but the engine will still be too cold, and you'll have trouble starting it.
Hope this helps...
