Maintaining Honda Lawnmowers in 4 Steps

Four primary steps to maintaining your Honda Lawnmower each spring.

  1. Replace Spark Plug
  2. Change Engine Oil
  3. Replace Blades
  4. Replace Air Filter

Detail Instructions and video tutorials

Run the engine for a few minutes to warm oil. Warm oil drains quickly and completely.

Prior to installing tune-up part, move the fuel valve to the OFF position and disconnect the spark plug cap from the spark plug.

Tilt the mower to the right so the carburetor side is up. This will help prevent fuel leakage and hard starting.

Replace spark plug

  1. Remove any dirt from around the spark plug area.
  2. Remove the spark plug with a 13/16 in (21 mm) spark plug wrench.
  3. Install the spark plug carefully, by hand, to avoid cross-threading.
  4. After the spark plug seats, tighten with a 13/16 in (21 mm) spark plug wrench to compress the washer. If reinstalling the old spark plug, tighten 1/8 to 1/4 turn after the spark plug seats. When installing a new spark plug, tighten 1/2 turn after the spark plug seats to compress the washer. NOTICE A loose spark plug can overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening the spark plug can damage the threads in the cylinder head.
  5. Install the spark plug cap on the spark plug. 0.028 ~ 0.031 in (0.7 ~ 0.8 mm)

Engine Oil Change

  1. Wipe the oil filler area clean, then remove the oil filler cap/dipstick.
  2. Place a suitable container next to the mower to catch the used oil, then tilt the mower on its right side. The used oil will drain through the filler neck. Allow the oil to drain completely. Please dispose of used motor oil and the containers in a manner that is compatible with the environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container to your local recycling center or service station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the trash, pour it on the ground or down a drain.
  3. Fill with oil. Do not overfill. Allow a couple of minutes for the oil to settle in the engine, then measure the oil level.

Blade Installation

  1. Remove the two blade bolts with a 14 mm socket wrench. Use a wooden block to prevent the blades from turning when removing the bolts. Remove the blades.
  2. Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area.
  3. Install the blades using the two blade bolts and special washers as shown. Be sure to install the special washers with the concave side toward the blades and the convex side toward the bolts. The blade bolts and washers are specially designed for this application.
  4. Tighten the blade bolts with a torque wrench. Use a wooden block to prevent the blades from turning when tightening the bolts. Blade bolt torque: 36 ~ 43 ft-lb; 5.0 ~ 6.0 kg-m (49 ~ 59 N·m) If you do not have a torque wrench, have an authorized Honda servicing dealer tighten the blade bolts before you use the mower. If the blade bolts are overtightened, they could break. If the blade bolts are not tightened enough, they could loosen or come out. In either case, it would be possible for the blades to fly off while you are operating the mower.

Air Cleaner Service

  1. Press down on the cover tabs and remove the cover.
  2. Remove the filter from the air cleaner housing.
  3. Wipe dirt from the inside of the air cleaner housing and cover, using a moist rag. Be careful to prevent dirt from entering the air duct that leads to the carburetor.
  4. Install the new filter and cover (The most common Honda air filters are Green with Black Trim and White with Orange Trim)

Editors Note: This article was updated to include video tutorial links.

The Mower Shop offers complete tune up kits and other parts for Honda lawnmowers. You can shop all of our Honda tune-up kits and discover more parts by searching out site (How to Use the Search Tool).