Predator replacement motor from HF

[rbstern]

Howdy, all.

The motor on my trustworthy (12 years) Honda Harmony 215 lawn mower is finally starting to show it's age. Carb isn't working right and is defying my attempts to fix it. While working on it today, I managed to break the starter cord.

This mower used to get a lot of use, but my walk-behind grass cutting needs have dimished. I now only need the lawn mower for light duty service immediately around my cabin. No more than a 15 minute job every two weeks.

So, the choices are:

1. Replace carb and pull cord parts on the Honda. Probably $50, but not a guaranteed fix, if the problem is other wear-related issues on the motor.

2. Buy a cheap push mower at Wally World or Northern Tool.

3. Buy a Predator replacment engine for about $80 after coupon at Harbor Freight. Supposed to be a drop-in replacement.

The appealing thing about the Predator is that the Honda has a plastic (no rust) mower deck, and a three sped rear drive that works well. If the Predator motor is any good and bolts right up, it's the most appealing solution.

Anybody use one of these motors?

 

[BATTY54]

Lots of people are using them as a repower for the Troybilt tillers great with reviews. The gocart world use them as racing engines wild HP out of a 6 HP block, the "Predator" engine is the new version of the "Greyhound" the used to sell last year. They are similar, look for a review on a gocart site.

 

[gallonoffuel]

Where did you find the coupon to get the engine so cheap? Yesterday there was a limited-time coupon to get the 212cc model for $99 but it was in-store only from 4-6pm. From what I hear, they are worth it at that price, and even at the $130 they're on sale for now.

 

[rbstern]

Where did you find the coupon to get the engine so cheap? Yesterday there was a limited-time coupon to get the 212cc model for $99 but it was in-store only from 4-6pm. From what I hear, they are worth it at that price, and even at the $130 they're on sale for now.

They are on sale at the web site for $99, and the local store always honors web pricing. 20% coupon on top. Unfortunately, I just checked with the store and they are out of stock and on back order on the web site. Will have to go another route.

 

[gallonoffuel]

Complete brain fart... just realized you were talking about the vertical shaft version (lawn mower!).

Good luck in your search!

 

[crazyal]

Another option could be (if you can find the Predator) is save the old Honda and if the Predator breaks you probably can bolt the carb and pull starter on the Honda.

 

[JimRB]

The carb is pretty simple. I have Hondas older than 10 years old that are well abused that work fine. The pilot tube gets clogged. That is the tube up from the jet. It has been a few years since I fixed one but I think that pilot tube comes out and will clean up after a soaking of laquer thinner or carb cleaner. New starter cord is $5-10. The used and abused oil burning last Honda mower was abandoned when the coil semed to died. Replaced it with another well used Honda mower that needed a new rear axle.

So what are the symtoms of your problem mower? I certainly would not be looking to put a cheap Chinese engine in my mower. Does the Predator engine have a pto for the drive of the Honda?

 

[rbstern]

The carb is pretty simple. I have Hondas older than 10 years old that are well abused that work fine. The pilot tube gets clogged. That is the tube up from the jet. It has been a few years since I fixed one but I think that pilot tube comes out and will clean up after a soaking of laquer thinner or carb cleaner. New starter cord is $5-10. The used and abused oil burning last Honda mower was abandoned when the coil semed to died. Replaced it with another well used Honda mower that needed a new rear axle.

So what are the symtoms of your problem mower? I certainly would not be looking to put a cheap Chinese engine in my mower. Does the Predator engine have a pto for the drive of the Honda?

Once the carb's fuel bowl is empty, the motor dies. Somehow, the float assembly is not doing what it's supposed to do. If I disassemble, clean, reassemble, the bowl fills up, the mower starts, then dies after about 30 seconds.

Don't know about the PTO. Didn't realize that's how the drive system worked. Will have to look more closely at that.

Appreciate your insights.

 

[Fixemall]

Remove gas line from carb, blow out tank from cap with air and fill carb with seafoam, let soak overnight...Remove carb bowl and float, polish (Not Sand) float needle, reassemble and mow on...

 

[20 20]

I have and will buy these engines, I have one now that I need a coil for, all they are is rebadged honda's. My cheapo "chinese" engines have held up great with NO issue's except what I just pointed out. I have run my engines for many hrs in all types of weather{snow rain sun} and have been very pleased. The one that needs the coil has run hard for many years pumping thousands of gallons of water, For the $100.00 it cost I can definately say I got my money's worth.

 

[CHDinCT]

Just bolted on a new Predator 212cc horizontal shaft engine on my 15 year old Generac pressure washer. The old Briggs wouldn't idle/run well at all any more except under heavy load. Unless under load, it yaws up and down as the governor kicks in than out. Took the carb off yesterday and cleaned it up as best I could with no improvement. Thought about getting a new carb for it, but after 15 years of use, I just didn't know how much more life it had. I put a new pump on the unit about two years ago, so a re-power for $99 with coupon seemed worth it, and the reviews on the Predator engines were all good.

So, after a simple swap out and adding oil and gas, it fired up on the first pull. The first thing I noticed, besides how much smoother it ran, was how much quieter it is than the old Briggs Intek. After checking to see that the pump will bolt right on, I left it off for the recommended 3 hour brake in so I didn't have to leave it hooked to my water supply. Hope it powers the pump as well as it runs once I get past the break-in period. (Put an hour on it today before the rain started AGAIN!). So far so good - pretty impressed for the money.

Edit: Posted this here after doing a search on predator engines. Not sure it belongs in the Honda forum, but oh well!

 

[Gator6x4]

Once the carb's fuel bowl is empty, the motor dies. Somehow, the float assembly is not doing what it's supposed to do. If I disassemble, clean, reassemble, the bowl fills up, the mower starts, then dies after about 30 seconds.

Don't know about the PTO. Didn't realize that's how the drive system worked. Will have to look more closely at that.

Appreciate your insights.

If your Honda engine is like those I own it has a filter in the gas tank that will become clogged. Look where the gas line is connected to the tank. Is it connected to a hex-headed white plastic connector. If so this is a filter - connector and can be screwed out of the tank for cleaning replacing. From the symptoms you described it sounds like this filter is obstructed. A simple cleaning or replacement of this filter may correct the problems you described.