Is it feasible to have broken connecting rod repaired?

15 years ago

HELP!!

I have an 8-year old diligently maintained Honda HR215KHMA Master series lawnmower (GXV140 engine) that performed flawlessly until last fall. It began acting up - the electric starter would fire up, the motor would turn, but would immediately stop after turning. This happened several times, until finally it seized up. The motor has not turned nor the shaft cannot even be rotated ever since.

Several experts diagnosed the problem, based on the symptoms, as potentially a broken Connecting Rod.

Question? Assuming it is the problem, how much would it cost to replace the broken connecting rod?

A ballpark figure would be really helpful as I decide if it is worthwhile getting this lawnmower repaired, or just buying a less sophisticated/expensive mower?

I would greatly appreciate your insights. Thanks in advance for your help.

A Dispappointed Honda Mower Owner

NOTE: I mistakenly posted this message earlier as a follow-up to another message.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

bill_kapaun
15 years ago
http://www.planopower.com/store/honda/hr215sxa.shtml

Should give you an idea of retail parts prices. $66 for a rod!
Plus you'd need gaskets.
Possibly piston, crank etc. is ruined?

What I would do FIRST, is remove the valve cover and make sure you don't have a valve stuck open & bent.
That could exhibit similar symptoms.
Of course, I'm NOT an expert!
nevada_walrus
15 years ago
I would start by removing the electric starter to make sure that is not what is locked up and jamming things. A thrown rod usually leaves you with a free spinning engine. Even if the rod did break and jammed the engine, it should rotate backwards until hitting the jammed rod.
Related Professionals
Londonderry Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · East Rancho Dominguez Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Marco Island Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Palm Springs Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Parole Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Tempe Landscape Contractors · Wake Forest Landscape Contractors · Arden-Arcade Landscape Contractors · Canyon Lake Landscape Contractors · New Cassel Landscape Contractors · Salem Landscape Contractors · South Hackensack Landscape Contractors · Chicago Ridge Landscape Contractors · Lexington Carpenters · Wrentham Carpenters
rmh3481
15 years ago
Spare short block available from a running Honda 214. If you can use it, let me know.
Thanks,
Bob
roadbike
15 years ago
Unless your "several experts" own a mower shop and are experienced in lawn mower repair I would not rely much on their opinions. What you need is the experience of a good mower mechanic to actually look at the mower and figure out what the problem is. Unless you have the skills and tools to begin removing parts I would strongly suggest that the job be left to one person who does.