My Honda mower (HRT 2162TDA, Serial No: MZCG-6971007) would fail to start every 4 - 5 mowing, at which point I put in a new spark plug and it starts fine again. What could be causing my mower to go through spark plugs this frequently? Bad carburetor perhaps? When I take out the old plug, I see a black soot covering the tip... is this normal, and could it be cleaned to salvage it? (If so, please let me know some online resources, e.g. Youtube)
FYI, this is the replacement plug that I've been using:
Frequently-fouled plugs can be a signed of too-rich fuel conditions, and may be due to a clogged or blocked air cleaner. Too little air can cause too much fuel to get into the engine and cause fouled plugs.
When was the air filter element replaced? If you don't know, I'd ditch it and start with a new one.
