I called a local dealer/repair shop and the person with whom I spoke looked in their shop manual for that engine. He confirmed that a small amount of anti-seize compound is what Honda recommends. I put a thin layer on all sides at the back end so the material would be smeared along the...
I removed the rubber-like material surrounding the assembly and was able to pull it out using needle-nose pliars with gripping ridges to the edges.
My new question:do I use anti-seizing compound on the new assembly before inserting it?
This mower sat with some stale fuel for a long time and won't start now. I've changed the spark plug, oil, and fuel filter and purchased a new carb and thermo wax assembly which controls the automatic choke. I cannot remove the installed thermo wax assembly using any of the many pliars I have...