Honda HRN216 mower oil, blades and recall checks
For the cited HRN216VKAA/VKPA manual, Honda gives 0.35–0.40 L oil refill, a five-hour or one-month initial change and later 50-hour/six-month oil service. Identify the deck and engine before parts ordering. HRC and HRX mowers have separate blade pairs and schedules; certain HRN216 serials also require the camshaft recall check.
Identify the mower, then the engine
| Manual /mower | Oil refill | First oil /later interval | Drive detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| HRN216VKAA/VKPA | 0.35–0.40 L, confirm level | 5h or 1 month /50h or 6 months | Smart Drive |
This HRN manual specifies BPR5ES at 0.7–0.8 mm. The plug agreement with other Honda mowers does not establish the same filter, drive system or blade stack.
Keep upper and lower blades with their deck
| Mower family | Lower blade | Upper blade |
|---|---|---|
| HRN216 | 72511-VR8-M00 | 72531-VR8-M00 |
Confirm current supersessions in Honda’s parts catalog before purchase. These manuals give 49–59 N·m blade-bolt torque. Use the specified fasteners, washers and blocking method with the spark-plug cap disconnected.
A measured blade length alone does not identify the correct stacked assembly.
A starter-rope kickback can require recall repair
CPSC recall 23-287 identifies certain HRN216 and HRX217K6 mowers and GCV170/200 G5B pressure-washer engines. An improperly manufactured camshaft can cause sudden starter-rope retraction. Stop use of an affected unit and arrange the free dealer inspection and repair.
Use the deck’s model and serial label for the mower check. An earlier HRX with a different engine is not automatically covered, while a recent oil or plug change does not resolve a recalled camshaft. Ask for the actual remedy record when buying used.
Honda HRN216 lawn mower: oil, spark plug, air filter and part numbers
The Honda HRN216 takes 12.0 to 13.5 fluid ounces (0.35 to 0.40 liter) of SAE 10W-30 oil, an NGK BPR5ES spark plug (Honda part 98079-55846) gapped 0.7 to 0.8 mm, and air filter 17211-Z8B-901. Honda says to change the oil after the first month or 5 hours and then every 6 months or 50 hours.
Disconnect the spark plug cap before you touch the blades, and wear heavy gloves. Figures are from Honda’s owner’s manual for the HRN216VKAA and HRN216VKPA, listed in the sources.
A 21-inch Smart Drive mower with a GCV170 engine
The Honda HRN216 is a 21-inch (20.9 in cutting width) rotary mower with a 3-in-1 Clip Director deck, a Smart Drive variable-speed transmission, a flywheel brake and an Auto Choke. It has a Honda GCV170 engine, a 166 cubic centimeter overhead-valve single, and weighs 79.4 pounds dry with the bag. The mower ships without oil in the engine.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | GCV170, 166 cc (10.1 cu in), 4-stroke overhead-valve, air-cooled |
| Oil refill amount | 12.0 to 13.5 fl oz (0.35 to 0.40 L); confirm on the dipstick |
| Oil grade | SAE 10W-30, API service category SJ or later |
| Spark plug | NGK BPR5ES (Honda part 98079-55846) |
| Spark plug gap | 0.028 to 0.031 in (0.7 to 0.8 mm) |
| Valve clearance, cold | Intake 0.10 ± 0.02 mm; exhaust 0.10 ± 0.02 mm |
| Maximum governed speed | 2,950 to 3,100 RPM |
| Cutting heights | 1 to 4 in (27 to 100 mm) |
| Blade bolt torque | 49 to 59 N·m |
Honda says the refill amount will vary because some oil stays in the engine, so use the dipstick rather than the number: fill until the level is between the upper and lower marks with the dipstick resting in the neck, not screwed in. Non-detergent oil shortens engine life and two-stroke oil can damage the engine.
The Honda HRN216 lawn mower schedule
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Before each use | Check the rear shield, blades, blade bolts, oil level, air filter, grass bag and blade control. |
| First month or 5 hours | Change the engine oil. |
| After 25 hours | Clean the air filter for the first time. |
| Every 6 months or 50 hours | Change the oil; clean the air filter (more often in dust). Change oil every 25 hours under heavy load or in high heat. |
| Every year or 100 hours | Check the spark plug and blade control; clean the spark arrester if fitted. |
| Every two years or 150 hours | Replace the air filter and the spark plug. |
Honda leaves the Smart Drive cable, fuel tank and filter, flywheel brake pad, valve clearance and pinion gear grease to a servicing dealer unless you have the tools, and says to check the fuel lines every two years. To change the oil, turn the fuel valve off, remove the dipstick, tilt the mower onto its right side so the oil drains through the filler neck, then refill and re-check the level.
Honda part numbers printed in the manual
| Part | Honda part number |
|---|---|
| Spark plug (NGK BPR5ES) | 98079-55846 |
| Air filter (paper) | 17211-Z8B-901 |
| Lower blade (use with the upper as a set) | 72511-VR8-M00 |
| Upper blade | 72531-VR8-M00 |
| Blade bolt (2 required, 10 x 25 mm) | 90105-VA3-J01 |
| Spring washer (2 required) | 90502-VG3-000 |
| Grass bag (fabric only) | 81320-VR8-N00 |
| Front wheel and tire | 44710-VR8-N00 |
| Rear wheel and tire | 42710-VR8-N00 |
| Spark arrester muffler (accessory) | 18300-Z9L-800 |
| Fast funnel (accessory) | 08C25-FST-000 |
12 to 13.5 oz
Oil refill
SAE 10W-30, then check the dipstick.
98079-55846
Honda spark plug
NGK BPR5ES, gap 0.7 to 0.8 mm.
17211-Z8B-901
Honda air filter
Replace every two years or 150 hours.
Where the HRN216 sits in Honda's mower range
Tool Trip describes the HRN series as designed for homeowners who want a reliable, efficient and affordable mower, in contrast with the HRX line above it. Mowers Web's comparison chart lists the HRN's features as 3-in-1 cutting with a Clip Director and MicroCut twin blades on a wide deck.
That range position matters for parts: the HRN and HRX families share Honda's engine service intervals but use different decks and blade sets, so match the blade to the deck before buying.
The HRN216 Clip Director and Smart Drive in practice
The HRN216 manual describes the Clip Director as a lever that opens or closes a shutter door: fully open for bagging, fully closed for mulching. To use rear discharge, remove the grass bag and leave the lever in the BAG position. If the lever is hard to move or will not lock, the manual says to raise the discharge guard with the engine off, clear the clippings from around the shutter door and spray around the lever and cover with a hose.
It says some grass will build up in the discharge opening when the lever is in MULCH. To clear it, close the discharge guard, set the lever to BAG, engage the blade control lever and start the engine. The rear shield wears in normal use, so the manual tells you to remove the bag, raise the guard and check the shield for cracks or tears, and to have a badly worn one replaced by a dealer.
Ground speed and blade control on the HRN216
The self-propelled Smart Drive control works by pressure. Push it slowly forward with the engine running and the blades turning, and ground speed rises as you press harder until it reaches its maximum, after which extra pressure adds nothing. Release it to disengage the drive around trees and obstacles and push the mower for better control.
Honda suggests holding the control as shown in the manual to prevent thumb fatigue.
Release the blade control lever to stop the engine and the blades whenever you leave the mower. A grass bag works like a vacuum, with air blown through the fabric, and bagging performance falls once the bag is about 90% full. Mowing in the morning while the grass is damp keeps fine dust from passing through the fabric.
A worn bag can let objects be thrown toward the operator, so the manual says to replace it.
Honda HRN216 lawn mower: questions
How much oil does a Honda HRN216 take?
12.0 to 13.5 fluid ounces (0.35 to 0.40 liter). Honda says the amount varies because some oil stays in the engine, so confirm on the dipstick, resting in the filler neck without screwing it in.
What oil does the Honda HRN216 use?
SAE 10W-30 with API service category SJ or later. Non-detergent oil shortens engine life and two-stroke oil can damage the engine.
What spark plug does a Honda HRN216 use?
An NGK BPR5ES, Honda part number 98079-55846, gapped 0.028 to 0.031 inch (0.7 to 0.8 mm). Check it every year or 100 hours and replace it every two years or 150 hours.
What is the Honda HRN216 air filter part number?
17211-Z8B-901, a paper element. Clean it after the first 25 hours, then every 6 months or 50 hours, and replace it every two years or 150 hours.
What blades does the Honda HRN216 use?
Lower blade 72511-VR8-M00 and upper blade 72531-VR8-M00. Honda says always use an upper and lower blade as a set, with 2 blade bolts 90105-VA3-J01 and 2 spring washers 90502-VG3-000.
How do I change the oil on a Honda HRN216?
Turn the fuel valve off, remove the dipstick, and tilt the mower onto its right side so the oil drains through the filler neck. Refill without overfilling, wait a couple of minutes, then check the level.
When is the first oil change on the HRN216?
After the first month or 5 hours of use, then every 6 months or 50 hours. Every 25 hours when used under heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures.
What engine is in the Honda HRN216?
The GCV170, a 166 cubic centimeter four-stroke overhead-valve, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with a maximum governed speed of 2,950 to 3,100 RPM.
What are the valve clearances on the HRN216?
0.10 ± 0.02 mm for both intake and exhaust, cold. Honda lists this as dealer work unless you have the proper tools.
How tight should the HRN216 blade bolts be?
49 to 59 N·m. Use a torque wrench; if you do not have one, Honda says to have a dealer tighten them, and to use only Honda blade bolts and special washers.
What is the Honda HRN216 grass bag part number?
81320-VR8-N00, a fabric bag only with no frame. Wheel and tire parts are 44710-VR8-N00 for the front and 42710-VR8-N00 for the rear.
Which Honda HRN216 mower models share these service figures?
The HRN216VKAA and HRN216VKPA, per Honda’s owner’s manual. Other HRN216 variants may differ, so match your model number.
A hard kickback at the starter can be a recall problem
The September 14, 2023 Honda recall covers certain HRN216 and HRX217K6 mowers and GCV170/200 G5B pressure-washer engines. An improperly made camshaft can make the starter rope retract suddenly.
Stop using an affected mower and arrange the free repair through an authorized Honda dealer. Identify it from the model and serial label at the upper rear of the deck; an oil change is not a remedy for this fault.
One HRX owner described a dealer recall repair completed in under ten days in October 2023. That is an individual repair experience, not a promised turnaround for an HRN. Before buying a used machine, ask the dealer to confirm whether its serial is included and whether the repair is recorded.