Honda mower transmission replacement

[miketyler]

We have an HRZ-216 that has been a great mower for us. It has the free turning front wheels like the commercial models and my wife likes it. This is a 6HP model that uses a sealed hydrostatic 3speed transmission. These are notoroius for failing and ours got so bad that we parked it. Well back in March we decided to get it fixed and purchased the replacement Honda transmission.

The mower has been working great but I noticed this weekend it was leaking fluid. Is there a seal cap that should have been removed before installing? I could see something like this that if left on, might cause the unit to build pressure and start blowing fluid. Anyhow, I cant explain it otherwise other than premature failure. I have contacted the dealer to see about replacement or remedy for this but I havent heard back yet.

Any ideas here?

 

[dude67]

Was it over serviced during replacement? You can do this easily. How many times did you use it before it started leaking?

 

[miketyler]

Not sure on that. I ordered the replacement unit, unbagged and installed myself. I want to say we have mowed 4-5 times with it

 

[miketyler]

Took it in to a dealer yesterday. I would have thought that Honda, as big a name as they are would cover labor charges related to a failed part out of warranty. Apparently not. Regardless, the service center agreed to assist if I pull the unit and bring in part and original receipt.

They inspected the unit as well and isn't leaking around the shaft seals. Seems to be coming from in between the case halves. The plastic case halves LOL They suggested try tightening and see if leaks continue.

 

[buening]

Mind I ask what that transmission cost? From what I recall Honda parts are expensive. Be careful tightening those plastic case halves, we don't want them to crack.

I've been eyeing a new honda pushmower but have read about the issues with transmissions.

 

[soob]

Funny, a good friend of mine was talking about replacing his Honda mower because of transmission problems just the other day.

 

[Paco Pena]

My son works part time in a small engine repair shop and their most common repair is self propelled lawn mowers. He says the Honda units are very problematic and pricey to fix. They advise people to avoid the self propelled ones but everybody wants one.The second biggest problem is folks who don't drain out the fuel in the fall or use a fuel stabilizer.

Paco

 

[Den69rs96]

I have a honday harmony II HRS216 single speed. Although I've had it a number of years, I'm not a fan. The cut quality is not the best if you cut on the highest settings and I've had my share of parts to replace. I've had to replace the drive lever cable 3 times, a belt, the rear drive wheels, that black flap thing on the rear, and the frame is extremely rusty. The engine is good, a little hard to start in the fall when the temps drop, but it runs great.

 

[richashley]

I've had an HRM215 with the 3-speed transmission since 1998. The only repairs I've ever done was to replace the wheels when they had worn smooth and the transmission a year or two ago. The transmission was a little over $200, including labor (I wasn't sure what was wrong when it failed and the diagnostic fee would have been almost as much as the labor to replace it). It's been a great mower, cuts great, quiet and still going strong. I decide to replace the transmission because I couldn't place the mower for $200. All that said, the transmissions are obviously their weak point. The new one is from a different supplier than the original and has a metal case.

 

[Bronson]

I was talking to a guy yesterday who had the trans on His Honda mower fail as soon as warranty expired. He took it to a local Lawn Equipment dealer for repair. He scratched a small mark on His trans before he took it in. When He picked it up, they charged Him for installing a brand new trans. He checked the case, and He got the same trans back, repaired, but they charged Him for a new one....He said He didnt challenge them on it.....