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I got a used Honda hrx217 that starts easy but has a rough idle and vibrates more than it should. Runs fairly normal when blades are engaged. The vibration also goes away. Can this really be a carburetor issue?

as you can see there are quite a few HR217's above, need complete numbers. absolutely yes carburetor may be culprit. I would replace spark plug, air & fuel filters, change oil, remove blade & clean, inspect, sharpen & balance before reinstalling lawn mower blade.

I put a new spark plug in it and used it for the first time to mow the yard to see if anything would change while mowing. This model has a blade clutch. Still runs rough on idle with vibrations. The vibration gets better after engaging the blades but still has some. I am hoping it doesn’t have a bent crankshaft. I would think the vibration would get worse with blades engaged. Any other ideas before I clean the carburetor.

Nearly a hundred years go i learned missing at idle but running mostly correct can be a vacuum leak .

Any other ideas?

Yes the idle circuit on your carb is blocked

I am going to take carburetor apart and clean it. Hopefully that will fix it. I am not too optimistic that will fix it though.