Honda H R B 215 Manual

							9. MAINTENANCE 
Periodic maintenance and adjustment are necessary to keep the mower in good 
operating condition. Service and inspect according to the MAINTENANCE 
SCHEDULE. 
l To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, shut the engine off before performing 
any maintenance. 
l To avoid serious bums, let the engine cool for at least 15 minutes before 
performing maintenance. 
Use genuine Honda parts or their equivalent for maintenance and repair. Parts 
of lower quality may damage the mower. 
Maintenance Schedule 
Blade condition and blade Check 
bolt tightness I l I I I I 
Grass bag and optional 
attachments 
NOTE: (11 Service more frequently when used in dusty areas. 
(21 These items should be serviced by an authorized Honda lawn mower dealer, unless you have the 
proper tools and are mechanically proficient. Refer to the Honda shop manual. 
(31 For professional commercial use, log hours of operation to determine proper maintenance intervals. 
39  
						

							ENGINE OIL CHANGE 
Engine oil capacity: 0.63 US qt (0.6 PI 
Drain the oil while the engine is warm to assure rapid and complete draining. 
1. Place a suitable container under the cutter deck to catch the used oil. 
NOTE: Check to be sure the drain hole in the cutter deck is not clogged. 
If necessary, remove grass and debris from the cutter deck. 
2. Remove the oil filler cap and the oil drain bolt, using a 10 mm box or socket 
wrench. The used oil will flow along the cutter deck channel to the drain 
hole near the front of the deck. 
FILLER 
CAP 
DRAIN HOLE 
OIL DRAIN BOLT 
NOTE: 
l An alternative procedure is to tilt the mower on its side, so the used oil will 
drain out through the oil filler neck. For this procedure, do not remove the 
oil drain bolt. Be sure to turn the fuel valve OFF before tilting the mower. 
l Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that doesn’t harm the 
environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container to your local service 
station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the trash or pour it on the ground 
or down a drain. 
40  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. Install the oil drain bolt and tighten 
it securely. 
Fill with the recommended oil (see 
page 22) to the upper level on the 
dipstick. Do not overfill. 
Install the filler cap/dipstick. 
Wipe the cutter deck drain channel 
clean to reduce dirt build-up when 
the mower is used. 
NOTE: Used motor oil may cause skin 
cancer if repeatedly left in contact with 
the skin for prolonged periods. 
Although this is unlikely, unless you 
handle used oil on a daily basis, it is 
still advisable to thoroughly wash your 
hands with soap and water as soon as 
possible after handling used oil. Oli DRAIN 
BOLT- 
FILLER CAP/ 
DIPSTICK 
FILLER 
CAP/DIPSTICK 
UPPER 
OIL LEVEL 
LOWER 
OIL LEVEL 
41  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
AIR CLEANER SERVICE 
A dirty air filter will restrict air flow to the carburetor, reducing engine 
performance If you operate the mower in very dusty areas, clean the air filter 
more often than specified in the MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. 
3 
r7iEEq 
Operating the engine with no air filter, or a damaged air filter, 
will cause rapid engine wear. 
1. Remove the two cover screws, then remove the air cleaner cover. Remove 
the air filter, and separate the filter elements. Carefully check both elements 
for holes or tears, and replace the filter if damaged. 
2. Foam element: Clean in warm soapy water, rinse, and allow to dry thoroughly. 
Or clean in nonflammable solvent and allow to dry. Dip the element in clean 
engine oil and squeeze out all excess oil. The engine will smoke during initial 
running if too much oil is left in the foam. 
m 
Using gasoline or flammable solvent to clean the filter 
alemant can lead to a fire or explosion. Use onty soapy water or nonilammable 
solvent. 
3. Paper element: Tap the element several times on a hard surface to remove 
excess dirt, or blow compressed air (not exceeding 30 psi) through the filter 
from the inside Never try to brush off dirt; brushing will force dirt into the 
fibers. 
4. Wipe dirt from the inside of the air cleaner housing and cover, using a moist 
rag. Be careful to avoid dropping dirt into the air cleaner duct that leads to 
the carburetor. 
5. Reinstall the air filter and cover. 
42  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
COVER 
scmvs~~ 
AIR CLEANER / 
COVER 
SING 
// 
‘ 
A 
AIR FILTER 
PAPER ELEMENT 
AIR FILTER 
FOAM ELEMENT 
AIR CLEANER 
43  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
SPARK PLUG SERVICE 
Recommended spark plugs: NGK BPR5ES 
ND 16EPR-U 
CHAMPION RN12Y 
r--ziEg 
Spark plugs of the wrong heat range can cause engine damage. 
For good performance, the spark plug must be properly gapped and free of 
deposits. 
1. Disconnect the spark plug cap, and remove any dirt from around the spark 
plug area. 
B 
Touching the engine or exhaust system while hot can cause 
bums. Let the engine cool before servicing. 
2. Remove the spark plug with a spark plug wrench. 
3. Inspect the spark plug. Replace it if the electrodes are worn, or if the insulator 
is cracked or chipped. Clean the spark plug with a wire brush if you are 
going to reuse it. 
4. Measure the spark plug electrode gap with a feeler gauge The gap should 
be 0.024-0.028 in (0.6-0.7 mm). Correct the gap as necessary by carefully 
bending the side electrode 
5. Install the spark plug carefully, by hand, to avoid cross-threading. 
6. After the spark plug is seated, tighten with a spark plug wrench to compress 
the washer. 
1 NOTICE 1 A loose spark plug can get hot enough to damage the 
engine. Overtightening may damage the threads. 
NOTE: If installing a new spark plug, tighten l/2 turn after the spark plug 
seats to compress the washer. If reinstalling a used spark plug, tighten 
l/8-1 /4 turn after the spark plug seats. 
7. Install the spark plug cap on the spark plug. 
SPARK PLUG 
0.024-0.028 in. 
(0.8-0.7 mm) 
44 SPARK 
PLUG’ WRENCH E!  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
SPARK ARRESTER MAINTENANCE (optional equipment) 
The spark arrester must be serviced every 100 hours to keep it functioning as 
designed. 
B 
Touching the engine or exhaust system while hot can cause 
bums. Let the engine cool before servicing. 
1. Remove the two nuts from the muffler shield, using a 10 mm wrench. 
2. Remove the muffler shield, identification plate, muffler, and gasket. 
3. Remove the spark arrester from the muffler. 
4. Check for carbon deposits on the spark arrester and the exhaust port. Brush 
carbon deposits away. Be careful to avoid damaging the spark arrester screen. 
5. Install the spark arrester in the muffler. 
6. Install the muffler components on the engine, and tighten the two nuts 
securely. 
(OPTIONAL PART) 
CATION PLATE 
6 mm NUTS SCREEN 
45  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
RDTO-STDP CABLE ADJUSTMENT 
1. Measure free play at the tip of the lever, while holding the button down. 
Free play should be 3/4-l in (20-25 mm). 
2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the lock nuts with a 10 mm wrench, and 
move the adjuster up or down as required. Tighten the lock nuts and recheck 
free play. 
NOTE: When mowing, check that the ROTO-STOP lever operates properly. If 
the blade does not start or stop as it should, and lever free play is correctly 
adjusted, take the mower to an authorized Honda lawn mower dealer for repair. 
HR215PXA 
46 
HR215SXA 81 HRilBSMA 
HR215HX.A  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
HR215SXA & HR215SMA DRIVE CLUTCH CABLE ADJUSTMENT 
1. Measure free play at the top of the lever, as shown. Free play should be 
3/16-3/8 in (5-10 mm). 
2. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the lock nuts with a 10 mm wrench, and 
move the adjuster up or down as required. Tighten the lock nuts and recheck 
free play. 
3. Start the engine and operate the drive clutch lever. Check to be sure the 
drive clutch engages and releases properly. If the drive clutch does not operate 
properly, and lever free play is correctly adjusted, take the mower to an 
authorized Honda lawn mower dealer for repair. 
3116-318 in 
(5-10 mm1 
DRIVE CLUTCH  
						

							9. MAINTENANCE 
HR215HXA DRIVE CLUTCH CABLE ADJUSTMENT 
_ 
1. 
2. 
3. Remove the bolt from the 
transmission cover, using an 8 mm 
socket wrench. Remove the 
transmission cover. 
TRANSMISSION 
Move the gear shift lever all the way 
back to the slowest position. 
SHIFT LEVER 
Push the diive clutch lever all the 
way forward, and hold it against the 
handlebar. 
48