My sister-in-law was told by a Honda dealership that a new transmission would cost more than 200€ so I offered to look at it myself. This video has helped me to start with simple things in case of a repair. So I adjusted the cable first which didn't help. Then I removed the belt which looked worn. Before buying a new belt I checked the transmission by pulling the cable and found that this blocked the wheels being a good sign. So just buying a new belt was the solution for me. Shame on the dealership...

You made the correct choice. This is great m/c and with a new belt will have a renewed life. Thanks for posting.

Wow, that was one of the highest quality repair videos I have ever watched. Thank you! Extremely good camera work, narration was so good. On my mower, my propel is weak, so I am going to try the 'easy' fixes - adjust cable, lubricate wheels/gears and see. I can see the big fix is out of scope for me, for sure.

Very helpful . On my 426 the rear roller was blocked with mud . I assumed the belt had gone a few minutes scrapping the mud away and I was up and running again . Easiest repair of my life !

Thank you for this video. I was able to repair my mower by hiring someone to come mow my lawn

Hey bro, what's up? I strongly believe that the time spent working on this mower is time you'll never get back but one thing you gained from this repair is knowledge and that is worth more than money. The person who ever purchases this mower from you won't have anything to worry about for some time unless they neglect doing their maintenance on time.

When comparing the new belt against the old one you made the right repair ! Thats a nice machine and hey the person that gets it won't be returning it any time soon ! Looks like your channel is really taking off I'm not surprised when you post I usually click on yours first good to see !!!

Live and learn, that’s what life is all about. And your man enough to admit when your wrong. Good video!

Worth the hard work, good to go for years to come

Bought a Honda mower and it was chugging. Replaced the carburetor and it works great! However, this is exactly what is happening with it. I knew it when I bought it so maybe I'll engage in repairing it. I do appreciate this video! Very well done! Thank you!

Very good effort put into this video. You really captured every detail on camera. I have a slightly newer version of this HRX that's probably mechanically identical with a couple refreshed features, and it's already having drive issues after only three seasons despite taking very good care of the thing with regular power washing, blower drying, and oil changes. After only three years, it won't roll backward and the drive system is no longer putting much energy into moving forward. And the wheels literally lock up when pulling back on it without even engaging the drive system, they lock so tight that you'd swear the thing had a parking brake turned on. Drive belt is in decent shape and doesn't need replacing (just like the one in this video) and I've cleaned and lubricated the drive gears inside the wheel hubs just like shown here too. Feels like it might be some kind of issue with the drive unit on the rear axle and I'm not thrilled to encounter problems on a well-maintained brand new Honda mower that has been an otherwise great product.

I really enjoy your videos I I find them very help full. I Got a older Honda mower and really do like the mower

I've taken these apart a few times and I couldn't agree more; remembering exactly how to put it back together was the most time consuming and non intuitive part of the jobs. In my case I had the newer self propelled control box at the top center of the handle bars (which is a real pain in the a## if it fails -- way too much plastic). Good work!

Good fix. You got it sorted out in the end.

That belt did need replacing, so you did not waste your time changing it. Great effort on doing your own repairs!

Thanks, exactly what I needed to do. I guess the cable stretches over time. You sure save me a lot of work.

I own this mower and it’s a very nice one. A joy to mow with.

Thank you sir! Im working on this fix tomorrow

I think you made a good choice replacing the belt. And like you said next time check the adjustment. But All in all it worked out for tge better. Love the video

Excellent detail. Thanks

Thanks for an excellent video!

That ex exactly what I needed to know the self-propelled works great when there's no weight on the wheels but as soon as you said it down they quit pulling

Did miine a couple years back and yes what a pain. The hidden nut in the shoot got me to yell a little till I found it only after some research. Laid out all the parts in order as I took them off and a few pics as well. Just a lot to it and was glad when it was over. Love the mower though, never had a better one. I should call the shop and find out how much they would charge to do it next time. Thanks for the vid and great job as always.

You did a great job

Honestly dude it's probably better that you did replace it. Usually in my experience people are just lazy or they don't want to waste their time like you said and this mower could have just been a peice of history thrown to the landfill over a broken belt. The Honda lives on now. Good job sir.

I agree with you a hundred percent Thank you for the video.

Yes. Recently working on a YS4500 rider, I replaced everything from the tank to the carb. and draining it a couple times. Just to figure out replacing the carb solved all the issues. I will note it was running driving and mowing perfectly fine before showing any of these issues. Later...

Great video as usual.

In the long run I am glad you replaced the belt. If you are selling the machine you do not want to sell a machine that will not last long before it has problems. This will hurt your reputation. Now this machine should last a long time. Your time was not wasted as you learned how to do this for the future. Thanks for the videos.

I have to mention one way "I" just fixed the belt being off from the wheel: Dont ask friends but use you the small handed wife to put the belt on inside without unscrewing anything and then put the other end on the wheel. We just did it and she had hard time forcing the belt inside even when the other end was off from the wheel. Thanks for the great video.

The clip director for the versa-mow system that Honda puts on these machines, if you have really thick, tall grass you can still leave mulch in the grass but bag a good portion as well. It apparently also helps with shredding leaves in the fall. That said, I really wish Honda made the HRX series with the GXV160 engine and a shaft drive transmission, but belts tend to be cheaper, manufacturers say. Ultimately, the customer has to replace them over time and I wonder if for the life of the machine a drive shaft would have been the better, less expensive method anyway.

Getting belts back on anything has been exhausting for me. I recently replaced my hundai sonata's belt tensioner, idler pulleys, and the belt. The parts took all of 20 minutes or so. The belt took me an additional hour. The things I said to my car probably hurt its feelings.

My new mower is an HRX similar to this but larger (it's a 537 model), since I noticed that the chassis, laterally, protrude respect of the wheels, and would be damaged, with time, by rubbing against the garden border walls (here in Italy we don't have open garden and driveways like in the US: each house is enclosed into border walls, fences or similar stuff), I made a modification. I found at local DYI center some 1.5mm thick, 1m long, 2.5cm tall, stainless steel strips. I've measured the sides of the chassis (the flat part and adding 5cm per side), cut the metal strip in the appropriate lenght, shaped it to match the shape of the side of the chassis and its angle (near to the front wheel) and curvature (near the back wheel) and attached it to the chassis with some super strong 3M VHB foam tape. It works wonderfully to protect the plastic chassis against wall rubbing and also gives it a nice "shiny border" which also pleases the eye :)

As far as mulch and bag half and half I find it useful when I want some clippings for my trees and compost pile. I prefer mulching though and only bag partially sometimes to get the clippings I need

My biggest fear when I think of taking something apart, like a carb, is remembering how to put it all back together again. I think if I did, I would definitely record a video. I have a chainsaw that I want to tackle at some point in the future. I’m sure it’s a gummed-up carb. I’m always thinking about forgetting steps when I watch your videos and marvel at your ability to remember what goes where. I suppose it gets easier after you’ve done as many as you have. And by the way, that's a “me” problem. I always worry about forgetting a step when I perform my day job (I work in the healthcare). It can really be a bad thing if I forget a step. LOL

These Honda mowers are going to appreciate in value- the cutting quality still blows away the battery mowers despite the Honda being high maintenance, and the only gas models that are comparable are Toros. Best to just grumble through some of the wear-repairs.

When the grass is high and wet you need some relief from the mulch setting. The in between setting is very helpful ask me how I know

I have the HRX217. I’ve been through the drive belt and cables. They are a B1&$h.. other than that, the mower is bullet proof.

Good video, TY! I have the HRX217HXA and for the past couple of years I am not able to pull the mower backward without lifting rear of mower. I have changed gears, lubed, etc. I am hoping it may be the cable adjustment or possibly a new cable. It's hydrostatic and it pulls fine. Have you experienced any issues like this with HONDAs? Thanks

that is how life works. if it all was easy to do i think we all would be bored!! to me the belt replacement would be an added selling point that the buyer wouldn't have to do to soon. just me thinking out loud. have a great 4th!!!!!!!

Unrelated question: what do you recommend for a beginner to sharpen mower blades? Im 3 seasons in and need a sharpen bad, I bought a cheap angle grinder but im afraid to mess it up, I dont even have a vice grip 😮

I own several Honda GX engines that after some time (years) they all have the same problem, unable to start without pouring fuel into the carburetor. I have cleaned the carburetors many times, but without success, until someone told me about the jet that was under the idle speed adjustment screw, and yes the jet was closed, opened it with a wire and the problem was solved, with all my GX carburetors

HG I think that was well worth it those new go for 500 to 800 bucks if you have gras catcher you sunk probally $110 of time and parts and you can sell it for $400 easy that is %300 in your pocket .

After fix several HR 215 I really don’t want to touch Honda lawnmower any more. They ARE the best until they break down. They are over engineered and parts are expensive. Engine is really good besides some oil burn old engines over 20 yrs.

I have the same exact mower. The transmission does not have a belt The transmission has gear oil ln it because it's a hydro. Get the wheels working getting going and have to replace the whole transmission.

Wouldn't you have checked the drive cable first as that is quick and easy to adjust vs first taking the whole belt off and spending a few days on that part? Also, the bag/mulch adjustor is awesome, great for larger lawns where you want to bag half the clippings and mulch/leave the remaining clippings on the ground, great video and well done mate.

I am having a similar issue when i checked the belt it was incredibly loose. So loose that i can squeeze it together incredibly easy. I understand that it will get more tesnion when in drive yet is being that loose normal?

Wow! That’s a lot of work to change the belt.

Hey man great work on these yard work materials, i was wondering what suggestions you have for ethanol free gas for my FC 70 edger?

I’m experiencing same problem with my Honda that’s 15 years old. I’m debating taking it to the shop or buying a new one. How expensive do you think a new transmission is? I don’t want to pay more for repair than I would buying a mew mower. Thanks.

I have a self-propelled mower that’s doing the same thing with the wheel spinning when you lift it up in the air but not when it’s touching the ground but mine is a Toro recycler is it most likely a belt issue with it as well? I also loke to get free lawnmowers and try and fix them up and sell them but I don’t want to pay to have to put a new rear transmission in it if that’s the problem but a belt I’m sure isn’t that expensive? I already tried the cable adjustment first on mine and it doesn’t matter how tight I make it it’s still only spins the wheels when it’s lift up in the air so I’m fearful it’s the transmission

Where do you get your parts? I have a Honda that I need to replace the shoot spring and lever bolt that is rusted out.

Hey, just a question, is it normally a good thing that you give the strimmer engine high revs and full throttle when needed as i think it keeps the engine from building up carbon???

Great video! I have same mower but different problem. Only 1 wheel on the self propel works and it’s pulling to one side. Any ideas on what it can be? Thanks

How do you feel about those adjustable link belts? The ones I’ve gotten are usually green and the belt links are kind of like a stiff fiber sheet. They are expensive but sometimes save a lot of disassembly.

To me replacing the belt in my opinion was a smart choice. It will sell better

other video posted on Honda stop sale .....any news...is it worth to follow bulletins ...what do you do with an older mower that has been recalled

Are you sure that you want to sell that one particular mower? Honda will now longer be making them after September, and the new ones are on a "Sales Hold" impending an investigation into problems with the Cam Pully's. Mine is just like yours except it has the "Smart Drive" and a starter (HRX2174VLA ). I wouldn't trade it for anything, let alone sell it. I think that I told you before that there were two at the pawn shop that I got mine and I'm still kicking myself for not getting the other one as well. I'd part with all of the rest of my mowers before I'd let the HRX217 go. The clip director is a neat feature. When I do my mother's lawn, I mulch part and put the other part into the chicken pen. They love the freshly cut grass and go after it like there is no tomorrow. She also likes to put part of it into her garden composter and still get the benefits of self fertilization of the lawn. I use the clip director feature to get covering material for reseeding bare spots (instead of buying wheat straw) and sparser areas to keep weeds from gaining a foothold while still mulching the rest of the yard. But, running full mulch all of the time, after a while there is enough in the bag to do this anyway, really fine material that composts quickly (It's not exactly a sealed system). I've also got an area that I'm composting a bunch of old fire wood logs that did not get used and is far enough along that I don't want to carry any of it into the house. Later, it will be a terraced garden area. The area also makes a great place to throw out the old kitchen scraps to compost (I'm too cheap to buy an actual fancy composter). Anyway, take care and we'll talk to you later.

There is a service bulletin on that model..... if it's not pulling and locking up pulling backwards your too replace wheel bolts left and right wheel adjuster/ bushings, remove and clean transmission shatft, and the belt. BUT more importantly on that model specifically I've leaned(fixed hundreds) the cable has to be set right in the middle...too slack it locks up, too tight.... it pulls your arms off. Lol

That one is WAY to complicated for me. IF I was going to mulch I'd just want to stop the discharge off and be done with it. Too many variables would drive me nuttier than I already am. And yes I've done the same thing you did and a lot more than once but it always comes out in the end that we all learn something. Gravely came out with a double blade system for their bush hog deck with the other blade being mounted across from the one. 90 degrees as it was. The bush hog gears were slow because the bush hog blade was a good 1/2 inch or thicker and worked fine in big stuff but was too slow for a finish cut. Enter the other blade. HAPPY 4th and Blessings

Oh boy. Dealing with same issue, but I am not a McGuyver at all I am seriiusly considering using grandpas scythe instead

Do you have the model number of this mower? Mine is missing the model number and this is the same model I have. I need to order parts.

I'll keep my ol' school Snapper... good God!

A new belt is a good selling point, and the old one did not look all that healthy. I would have paid a little more with the new belt :)

You covered 2 of the 3 reasons the propell wouldn't work. That is actually a hydrostatic transmission like an automatic transmission in an automobile. So if you see signs of a fluid leak replacing the belt or adjusting the cable wont help. I actually have 2 of those unit that the propell is not working on due to leaked fluid. The seals need to be replaced and the fluid changed. I havent tackled it yet because it is a big job.

Had same problem on my Toro. Put on a new drive belt and it did nothing. Made no differense.

Try pulling off the wheels and cleaning up the shafts and oil the bearings. Put grease on that gear in there. If the wheels are sticky you will lose drive.

Hi and thanks for your videos. I have this honda the hrx217. mine started moaning and groaning for at least the first 10 minutes of using the selp propel. i assume its the tranny. Wheels and all seem fine rolling forward and back but moan when i use the self propel. ?

well for me here and there from my life but yeah they are long life lesson learners for sure.

Thank you❗️ But I’m NOT going to spent time doing this and get stressed out. I JUST….. got one from Home Depot via internet. After spending $700 plus, the drive is not working and one of the handle screws came bent which caused other problems. I’m about to drop kick this crap over a cliff. Returning it, another set of issues. So it’s useless to me.

I never use the bag (i threw it away). Set it on mulch setting.

I think we’ve all been there before. Not really such loss though, “brand new drive belt” in the listing is a great selling point. I think the idea behind Clip Director is for when the grass is too tall and it leaves a mess when mulching and the bag fills to quickly. If you can do a little mulching and a little rear discharging you can probably leave the lawn looking good without having to do it twice. BTW did you hear about the STOP ALL HONDA MOWER SALES order? Honda had to stop selling their final versions of mowers and may have to issue a recall for previous models because of a faulty compression release mechanism on the cams of the GCV-160 (and presumably GCV-190). It seems the third party who makes them for Honda decided to take a shortcut and not let the plastic cool down before installing the compression release finger, so now the release mechanism randomly stops working and causes injuries during starting. Honda is still trying to figure out how far back this goes, but for now no more mower sales on this their last year of mower manufacturing. I would think that means all engines for other brands too but I don’t know if that’s true.

What’s the website called where you got the mower for free?😅

Maybe if your yard only needs a bit of mulch to keep from jamming up the dirt?

99% of the time if the belts in one piece, it's good enough to work. May not last long, but it'll spin the thing. Also, always easiest/cheapest/most common/likely fix first. List your fixes and assign a 0-5 scale for each option. Try in order.

The wheel is like when I pull the self-propelled button to make it go it's like it's on breaks

11:10 Either the belt stretched/ and-or the cable s t r e t c h e d. Adjust all, folks ! Shorten cable, a few mm at a time....till it ' engages '.

You didn't waste any time. Tell them you replaced the belt and add $50 to the price. That belt looked like it was ready to be replaced. You proactively took care of a potential return and an unhappy customer.

Occam's razor. Even true on Honda mowers...

i prefer the toro personal pace to be slow walking while mowing the grass instead of the one speed self propelled.

I wouldn't beat myself up over the belt. It needed one anyway. It was a matter of time. Excellent mower, should bring a good buck. I think anyone doing this type of work has made errors that cost them time and unfortunately money.

Wow start w the blue b4 tearing the mower apart

Good video sir. That must be the worst deck design.

Wow. Kudos to air your mistakes.

i would walk in a slow pace then running up and down the grass patch.

Try greasing the rope or oil to avoid it rotting away

Its not that hard to get a new belt on this mower. However, a new belt seldom solves the problem.

YES! MANY TIMES! I've made a mountain out of a mole hill doing mechanical work. What a pain on HRX. I remember u saying u were going to change the belt. I wanted to see installation because mine doesnt climb STEEP hills as well. I would care if I owned an XRX & changed it, I'd figure I got it out of the way. Anywho, I own an HRR. I DID see how to install & it IS MUCH easier, thank goodness, I'm not 20 anymore. So, I purchased belt & waiting until it no longer self propels & know it wont take me long to do. I don't care to adjust because I feel factory setting & don't wish to alter. Yes, I could count the threads, but belt going on 4yrs. HERE'S A QUESTION, should we ever change tranny fluid (just engine oil?) 👍

Me just discovered your second channel 🤦

i would just get rid of the self propell mechanism and just part all the heavy stuff to convert it to a push mower.

The drive on this mower should damn near drag you with it.

This lawn mower almost requires a degree in mechanical engineering just to work on it. I changed the belt on my HRR which is not as complicated as this model Honda.

Well, I won't say changing the belt was a complete loss. It's 1 less part the next owner will have to change.

Something something Occam's Razor

Would you know what grease is in the self propel gear box?....Can't seem to find a service procedure...just a replacement procedure.

I almost destroyed my garage in absolute rage dealing with this lawnmower.... I'm still pissed.. .

Its a real bear. Had the same problem on my Toro. Never could get it fixed right. Also, you cant use the Honda as a push mower because its way too heavy. No power drive and you might as well junk the mower.

can you do a video on the roto stop blade system? i have a mower basically the exact same and same issue but me being a retard i took more apart then needed and now i cant get the roto stop blade system back together properly

So you can haul less grass away ( shutter)

Eh, Looked like the belt needed to be replaced anyway... These are terrible to work on. Knowledge is POWER!