Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi all. I recently purchased a used HS621 that wasn't running too good and have begun getting it back to (or trying to) reliable service. I purchased it for my folks so it needs to start easy and work consistently. There are problems with the carb, it only runs with the choke on. I got it to a point where it'll run with the choke almost off but it surges at that point. So, a complete carb dissassembly is in order and I'll be tackling that once the gasket set comes in. In the meantime, I wanted to ask whether any of the other HS621 owners could comment on the air cleaner on this thing. This is all new to me but there doesn't seem to be any kind of air filter on this thing. Not sure if it's related, but the float bowl on the carb was full of debris and sediment. This either came from the gas or could it come from the air intake?? Like I said, I'm new to this.

The parts diagram here:
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Honda/Snow%20Blower/0/HS621%20AS-B%20SNOW%20BLOWER%2C%20JPN%2C%20VIN%23%20SZAN-1038359%20TO%20SZAN-1099999/AIR%20CLEANER/parts.html

shows a strainer of some sort but I don't have that. Also, they don't sell it (part #8 is not in the list).
So, is the diagram correct? Does anyone else have this snowblower that can comment? If i am indeed missing this piece can I just improvise something and what would be an appropriate material to use?

Thanks
Steve

The dirt in the float bowl has nothing to do with air intake.  It's all from dirty fuel.  Put an in-line fuel filter on between the fuel tank and the carb.  Make sure it's pointed in the correct flow direction (usually indicated with an arrow).

I'd say the problem with the carb is the the main jet being clogged.  Get a piece of very (VERY) thin copper wire, some WD-40 and access to compressed air.  Try to find an exploded view diagram of the carb.  Completely dis-assemble every component of the carb, clean them and all galleries and passages with wire, WD-40 and blow out with compressed air.  Be very gentle when working with the float and float assembly. 

If you haven't damaged any gaskets, you can re-use the ones on the carb.  I never replace gaskets if they're not damaged. 

Thanks for the fast response!
There's actually a youtube video of a guy cleaning out a carb from the same motor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_eTqL0C3gQ

Being that I'm new to this I thought I would order the gasket set to be sure. It's only $11 or so and I need a new choke cable and some other random bits as well (bolts, clips) to put this thing into top shape. I would rather not take the carb apart only to find that I need the gaskets at that point so better safe than sorry is how I feel about it I guess (especially since I've never done this before).

When installing an in-line fuel filter, do you just splice the existing fuel line and install it there? The replacement fuel line for this thing is like $70 or something ridiculous.

Thanks,
Steve

Yes.  Just cut the fuel line and fit the filter right in.  Make sure the fuel filter fittings are the correct diameter for the fuel line.  Seventy bucks for fuel line??????    Is it made of gold?   G*d damned dealers gouging again!!!!

Go to any auto supply and buy clear flexible fuel line for less than a buck a foot.  Just get the correct diameter.

I'd follow Borats advice. Remove the carb, wire, spray all the orifices, etc clean (my preferred Card cleaner is Berrymans) and just make sure the pin is set before you button the carb back up ;-)
With this crazy 50 state rule complaint, some of the cleaners don't seem like the cleaner of yesterdays...

I would relook, but the last time I looked at a GX200 or GX160 parts breakout, there were 2 fuel filters inline . I may be wrong as I don't see a screen on inlet but right now I have other pressing matters at hand,  but if I recall on the pic I saw, there was a filter on the inlet and outlet.

If the machine has fuel filter(s), they must be relatively ineffective.  Otherwise, how do you get so much debris in the float bowl?   Unless.......the debris is particles of varnish build up.  If that's the case, no fuel filter will fix that problem.  The carb has to be drained at the end of every season to avoid that.   Does the machine have a fuel shut off valve?  If not, put one of them on too.  That way, the carb can be run out of fuel as required.

There is a valve yes, what I used to call a petcock on my old motorcycles anyway. There is a drain on the carb of course and indeed it does appear that the thing was never "summerized" properly. I'll be sure to do so after every winter and probably even drain the carb between uses if it doesn't snow a lot. I'm in Toronto, ON Canada by the way. The carb cleaner I'll be using is some Motomaster stuff that I've used before and seems pretty strong though I have nothing to compare it to. It did a good job on the bowl the other day. Thanks for the continuing advice.

edit: oh, and if anyone can chime on in the need for a air filter of some sort. Again, judging by that parts diagram there seems to be some strainer type thing ahead of the air-cleaner box (what's in that box??? a filter?). One of my buddies told me that "snowblowers don't use air filters there ain't no dust in the winter" but that doesn't sound right to me.

There's no need to drain the carb during winter months as long as the machine sees some use.   The problems usually arise from long periods of sitting, normally in warm to hot conditions which cause fuel evaporation and degradation.   Draining at the end of the season will be fine.

Generally snowblower engines don't have air filters.  The snow generally makes the air pretty dirt free.  It is not like cutting the grass and stirring up a dust storm.  Also I have heard that in colder climates the air filter will get filled with snow and freeze blocking it off.  As for your filters, I have never seen a real honda, but I have a couple clones and there is a filter on the exit of the tank and there is suppose to be a screen on the fuel shutoff valve.  Also there is a screen on the fill cap hole on my tanks.  The clone carbs actually have 2 bowls on the bottom and I believe Honda is the same.  There is the main float bowl, but also a secondary bool called a sediment cup right next to it.  You probably need to clean both out.  I think the idea is the first bowl fills up and and dirt in the gas settles to the bottom and then it overflows into the main bowl.

Back again.

I have replaced the choke cable and I removed the carb tonight and cleaned it and replaced a couple of the o-rings. Now, I didn't remove any of the jets because I was nervous about breaking them and this is probably where I went wrong. I was nervous because I know one of the jets (is it the pilot jet?) breaks if you take it out and I don't have a replacement. In any case, the thing is running way better now and it starts no problem but it's still surging :/

Here is a video to show you what I mean....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi5SdAsWZYQ

I'm guessing this is still some sort of carb issue. If I dismantle the carb again, which jet should I really be focusing on and should I be worried about busting any of them?
Thanks!

This can sometimes be frustrating. Don't give up. Does the surging change (increase or decrease) as you adjust the choke setting? I had a similiar surging issue on a HS520 Honda snowblower this year and replaced the carb (it was cheap) and the problem went away.  I think you'll be more successful if you remove the jet and follow the cleaning instructions carefully. Find a screwdriver that is a really good fit (I use a metal file to file mine down to get a custom fit, nice and square and flat on the end.) and wrap the last inch of the screwdriver in masking tape to it does not damage the thread in the carb housing. If you follow the directions outlined in the video that you posted for cleaning all the passages you should be fine.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_eTqL0C3gQ