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Leaking carburetors on old HR214SX mowers
#1
J
jsalis57
J
jsalis57
All,
I have acquired three HR214SX mowers that were in various stages in need of repairs. All the engines run to a varying degree but one common thread seems to be a leaking fuel bowl on each one. I have tried a new bowl gasket on one and it still leaked and even doubled up on the gaskets on another and it still leaks. I gave up and bought a OEM Honda carb for one mower and problem solved.
Is there something I am overlooking with these bowl gaskets? Is there something else I should try? Seems simple enough but I have not had any luck stopping the leaks.
I have acquired three HR214SX mowers that were in various stages in need of repairs. All the engines run to a varying degree but one common thread seems to be a leaking fuel bowl on each one. I have tried a new bowl gasket on one and it still leaked and even doubled up on the gaskets on another and it still leaks. I gave up and bought a OEM Honda carb for one mower and problem solved.
Is there something I am overlooking with these bowl gaskets? Is there something else I should try? Seems simple enough but I have not had any luck stopping the leaks.
#2
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
If the float valve is cutting off the fuel the gasket will not leak because the fuel is lower than the gasket.
Bowls do warp but it is not very common unless that were all done up by the same gorilla.
Bowls do warp but it is not very common unless that were all done up by the same gorilla.
#3
T
tranchinh
T
tranchinh
I have same problem but change gasket will solve problem .remove all trace of old gasket before install new one .Old gasket stay in slot in carburetor body,you have to take carburetor out to see if there is some left.If you leave it in the engine you never see it .I buy whole bunch and its the same size for many difference model
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Float-Bowl...772977&hash=item51dcadac72:g:vwUAAOSw7FRWXzMc
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Float-Bowl...772977&hash=item51dcadac72:g:vwUAAOSw7FRWXzMc
#4
J
jsalis57
I only notice the leak when I shut the mower off and it sits for a while. Should the float always keep the level below the gasket? The rubber seat on the float does not appear to be deteriorated in any way. I would think the gasket would keep the fuel from leaking out regardless of the level, or while splashing around during use.
I looked for the warp as you mentioned and that was not the case either. Just seems weird that all three of my mowers did the same, that is what lead me to believe it was the bowl gasket that is dried out due to age and crappy ethanol gas. The problem is even with new gaskets I cannot stop the leak. Makes me wonder if the gaskets I ordered are too small or something.
Thoughts?
J
jsalis57
If the float valve is cutting off the fuel the gasket will not leak because the fuel is lower than the gasket.
Bowls do warp but it is not very common unless that were all done up by the same gorilla.
I only notice the leak when I shut the mower off and it sits for a while. Should the float always keep the level below the gasket? The rubber seat on the float does not appear to be deteriorated in any way. I would think the gasket would keep the fuel from leaking out regardless of the level, or while splashing around during use.
I looked for the warp as you mentioned and that was not the case either. Just seems weird that all three of my mowers did the same, that is what lead me to believe it was the bowl gasket that is dried out due to age and crappy ethanol gas. The problem is even with new gaskets I cannot stop the leak. Makes me wonder if the gaskets I ordered are too small or something.
Thoughts?
#5
J
jsalis57
Been there and done that unfortunately without success. My gasket looks just like the one you ordered and I was certain there was no old material on either surface.
Does the gasket you use drop right in the carburetor groove precisely or do you have to stretch a tiny bit to fit in? I had to stretch mine just a tiny bit in order to get it to fit into the groove of the carburetor.
J
jsalis57
I have same problem but change gasket will solve problem .remove all trace of old gasket before install new one .Old gasket stay in slot in carburetor body,you have to take carburetor out to see if there is some left.If you leave it in the engine you never see it .I buy whole bunch and its the same size for many difference model
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Float-Bowl...772977&hash=item51dcadac72:g:vwUAAOSw7FRWXzMc
Been there and done that unfortunately without success. My gasket looks just like the one you ordered and I was certain there was no old material on either surface.
Does the gasket you use drop right in the carburetor groove precisely or do you have to stretch a tiny bit to fit in? I had to stretch mine just a tiny bit in order to get it to fit into the groove of the carburetor.
#6
B
bertsmobile1
For fuel to get out of the carb & go into the engine, air has to get in.
All float bowls are vented somewhere.
the carb leaks internally and you see what looks like fuel dripping from the gasket.
clamp the fuel line , pull off the float bowl hold the float horizontal then undo the clamp.
No fuel should drip out.
If it does then the needle & seat need attention or the float needs replacing / adjusting depending upon which float you have.
You might like to drop & raise the float a few times just to check it's function.
B
bertsmobile1
I only notice the leak when I shut the mower off and it sits for a while. Should the float always keep the level below the gasket? The rubber seat on the float does not appear to be deteriorated in any way. I would think the gasket would keep the fuel from leaking out regardless of the level, or while splashing around during use.
I looked for the warp as you mentioned and that was not the case either. Just seems weird that all three of my mowers did the same, that is what lead me to believe it was the bowl gasket that is dried out due to age and crappy ethanol gas. The problem is even with new gaskets I cannot stop the leak. Makes me wonder if the gaskets I ordered are too small or something.
Thoughts?
For fuel to get out of the carb & go into the engine, air has to get in.
All float bowls are vented somewhere.
the carb leaks internally and you see what looks like fuel dripping from the gasket.
clamp the fuel line , pull off the float bowl hold the float horizontal then undo the clamp.
No fuel should drip out.
If it does then the needle & seat need attention or the float needs replacing / adjusting depending upon which float you have.
You might like to drop & raise the float a few times just to check it's function.
#7
T
tranchinh
I actually have to for it in the slot ,Hr214 is about 30 years old,that gasket is dry up and wont come out in 1 piece
T
tranchinh
Been there and done that unfortunately without success. My gasket looks just like the one you ordered and I was certain there was no old material on either surface.
Does the gasket you use drop right in the carburetor groove precisely or do you have to stretch a tiny bit to fit in? I had to stretch mine just a tiny bit in order to get it to fit into the groove of the carburetor.
I actually have to for it in the slot ,Hr214 is about 30 years old,that gasket is dry up and wont come out in 1 piece
#8
T
tranchinh
Thanks.its a good way to sdjust the float
T
tranchinh
For fuel to get out of the carb & go into the engine, air has to get in.
All float bowls are vented somewhere.
the carb leaks internally and you see what looks like fuel dripping from the gasket.
clamp the fuel line , pull off the float bowl hold the float horizontal then undo the clamp.
No fuel should drip out.
If it does then the needle & seat need attention or the float needs replacing / adjusting depending upon which float you have.
You might like to drop & raise the float a few times just to check it's function.
Thanks.its a good way to sdjust the float
#9
J
jsalis57
Sounds like that may be it, I’ll check again. I am sure the rubber at the end of the float valve is hardened over 30+ years.
Can just the float assembly be purcheased?
J
jsalis57
For fuel to get out of the carb & go into the engine, air has to get in.
All float bowls are vented somewhere.
the carb leaks internally and you see what looks like fuel dripping from the gasket.
clamp the fuel line , pull off the float bowl hold the float horizontal then undo the clamp.
No fuel should drip out.
If it does then the needle & seat need attention or the float needs replacing / adjusting depending upon which float you have.
You might like to drop & raise the float a few times just to check it's function.
Sounds like that may be it, I’ll check again. I am sure the rubber at the end of the float valve is hardened over 30+ years.
Can just the float assembly be purcheased?
#10
B
bertsmobile1
B
bertsmobile1
It is a Honda so each & every part is available as a single item or as a rebuild kit.
Honda have been fighting the Chinese knock offs so the prices on genuine Honda parts has plumeted
Honda have been fighting the Chinese knock offs so the prices on genuine Honda parts has plumeted
#11
J
jsalis57
Ha v e any links to share? I checked Amazon and only saw the float but not the valve.
Thanks!
J
jsalis57
It is a Honda so each & every part is available as a single item or as a rebuild kit.
Honda have been fighting the Chinese knock offs so the prices on genuine Honda parts has plumeted
Ha v e any links to share? I checked Amazon and only saw the float but not the valve.
Thanks!
#12
B
bertsmobile1
If you value being able to but parts for old, obscure or unpopular mowers, Amazon is a place you should avoid like the plague.
Amazon is a parrasite destroying retailing anything other than the most popular parts for the most popular engines ( popular everything actually ) and cheap imported stuff that is landfill in disguise.
So do something bold & brave and try a Honda shop.
Parts Nation have always been good to me, amd guess what they might actually know what parts you need & supply the right ones, not the cheapest ones sourced from China.
B
bertsmobile1
Ha v e any links to share? I checked Amazon and only saw the float but not the valve.
Thanks!
If you value being able to but parts for old, obscure or unpopular mowers, Amazon is a place you should avoid like the plague.
Amazon is a parrasite destroying retailing anything other than the most popular parts for the most popular engines ( popular everything actually ) and cheap imported stuff that is landfill in disguise.
So do something bold & brave and try a Honda shop.
Parts Nation have always been good to me, amd guess what they might actually know what parts you need & supply the right ones, not the cheapest ones sourced from China.
#13
J
jsalis57
I agree about Amazon. I have used Boats.net and they were great. I’ll try parts Nation too.
J
jsalis57
If you value being able to but parts for old, obscure or unpopular mowers, Amazon is a place you should avoid like the plague.
Amazon is a parrasite destroying retailing anything other than the most popular parts for the most popular engines ( popular everything actually ) and cheap imported stuff that is landfill in disguise.
So do something bold & brave and try a Honda shop.
Parts Nation have always been good to me, amd guess what they might actually know what parts you need & supply the right ones, not the cheapest ones sourced from China.
I agree about Amazon. I have used Boats.net and they were great. I’ll try parts Nation too.
#15
J
jsalis57
I do and it does. However, you should not HAVE to to keep from the carburetor from leaking. I never did shut the valve off before for 25 years with my original Honda 214.
Perhaps I was just lucky not to have it leak? I know the owners manual suggests to turn off, but i did not think that was for each time you were not using it or if it was more for long time storage in the Winter.
J
jsalis57
Wouldn't shutting off the fuel valve after every use stop the leaking?
I do and it does. However, you should not HAVE to to keep from the carburetor from leaking. I never did shut the valve off before for 25 years with my original Honda 214.
Perhaps I was just lucky not to have it leak? I know the owners manual suggests to turn off, but i did not think that was for each time you were not using it or if it was more for long time storage in the Winter.
#16
B
bertsmobile1
If the float leaks when the engine is shut off then it will also leak when the engine is running.
If it is leaking when running then you may be running rich due to the fuel level being too high in the float bowl so JSALIS is quite right about it needing to be fixed.
Turning the fuel off when not in use should technically not be necessary .
However I fit taps & instruct owners to shut the fuel off as a belts & braces approach cause it is easier to turn off a tap than clean leaked fuel out of an engine, replace head gaskets or even bent cranks.
At least weekly some one posts to the forum that their engine is blowing smoke or is cranking hard.
They get asked to check the oil then come back with it is too high or tell us they changed the oil and there was too much in there
B
bertsmobile1
Wouldn't shutting off the fuel valve after every use stop the leaking?
If the float leaks when the engine is shut off then it will also leak when the engine is running.
If it is leaking when running then you may be running rich due to the fuel level being too high in the float bowl so JSALIS is quite right about it needing to be fixed.
Turning the fuel off when not in use should technically not be necessary .
However I fit taps & instruct owners to shut the fuel off as a belts & braces approach cause it is easier to turn off a tap than clean leaked fuel out of an engine, replace head gaskets or even bent cranks.
At least weekly some one posts to the forum that their engine is blowing smoke or is cranking hard.
They get asked to check the oil then come back with it is too high or tell us they changed the oil and there was too much in there
#17
J
jsalis57
On mine I have no leaks whatsoever when operating the mower. I would assume the engine is using the fuel at a rate greater than the rate of the leak.
J
jsalis57
If the float leaks when the engine is shut off then it will also leak when the engine is running.
If it is leaking when running then you may be running rich due to the fuel level being too high in the float bowl so JSALIS is quite right about it needing to be fixed.
Turning the fuel off when not in use should technically not be necessary .
However I fit taps & instruct owners to shut the fuel off as a belts & braces approach cause it is easier to turn off a tap than clean leaked fuel out of an engine, replace head gaskets or even bent cranks.
At least weekly some one posts to the forum that their engine is blowing smoke or is cranking hard.
They get asked to check the oil then come back with it is too high or tell us they changed the oil and there was too much in there
On mine I have no leaks whatsoever when operating the mower. I would assume the engine is using the fuel at a rate greater than the rate of the leak.