I've had one of these since 1996. 26 years!! It starts every year on first or second pull. Just changed the oil every couple years and replaced the tires and blades once. Barely rusting. One of the best purchases I've ever made.
This HS520 model had a problem with the carb bowl working loose from vibration. When you tighten it, be sure not to overdue it, or it will split the shaft that the bowl nut threads into. The carb is cast of white metal.
That's what the gas in my Ninja looked like after adding Stabil. Carb jets were plugged with red goo. Took more than flushing out to get it to run right.
Mine is about 14 years old and now it over rev's when I start it. I'll have to look at the governor springs, but I read that they had governor problems back in 2007. Also, my carb is similar to yours with choke. I'll admit, of all the snow blowers I use, this has the most fussy carb, however the most powerful motor i've used. If the governor went, I'll have to toss it. Not worth splitting the case and its really hard finding parts now.
There’s a fuel filter inside the black hose on the tank side that often also needs a good cleaning. Only way to access it is to pull the hose off the tank.
Honda snowblower carb does not like Stabil. That’s my only conclusion because the same thing happened to me with a brand new HS720 and a gummed up carb after summer storage with Stabil. The engine resisted starting at first but then once it started it went into hunting mode and I had to pull the bowl and spray gumout into the carb jet and let it soak. Not even Seanfoam worked on the gummed up Stabil.
Hi Steve - good informative video. We have had the same model HS520A for the past 20 years and it was working fine till last year when it would run for a few mins and die. We had not been putting non-ethanol premium gas in it. After watching a few How-To videos, I decided to clean the carburetor myself and it worked out ok.The carburetor was clean and no dirt or gunk in it,. This year I noticed that the carburetor is leaking, so I will take another shot at it before taking it to a repair shop. Any tips on how to troubleshoot the leak. Also, where can one buy the oil/fuel dispensing bottle as you have.
If the needle valve is not seating properly the bowl will overfill and fuel will come out the vent. So be sure its not leaking out the vent and running down the outside of the carburetor. If it is not that, there is a gasket to seal the bowl to the carb. However, more likely the bowl may have loosened. This model was known to have an issue with the bowl loosening from vibration. Be careful not to overtighten the bowl or you might crack the metal....it is brittle.
Hello I need help with my HS 520 but differs issue. My throttle return spring was loose and it kept loosing off making the engine very weak. I can’t find the diagram how to install that throttle spring back into the carburetor . Thanks in advance
I've had one of these since 1996. 26 years!! It starts every year on first or second pull. Just changed the oil every couple years and replaced the tires and blades once. Barely rusting. One of the best purchases I've ever made.
This HS520 model had a problem with the carb bowl working loose from vibration. When you tighten it, be sure not to overdue it, or it will split the shaft that the bowl nut threads into. The carb is cast of white metal.
Thanks for the video, I had the same issue and followed your steps and started right up!
That's what the gas in my Ninja looked like after adding Stabil. Carb jets were plugged with red goo.
Took more than flushing out to get it to run right.
Mine is about 14 years old and now it over rev's when I start it. I'll have to look at the governor springs, but I read that they had governor problems back in 2007. Also, my carb is similar to yours with choke. I'll admit, of all the snow blowers I use, this has the most fussy carb, however the most powerful motor i've used. If the governor went, I'll have to toss it. Not worth splitting the case and its really hard finding parts now.
Just grabbed a 1996 hs621 for $95 Runs fine
There’s a fuel filter inside the black hose on the tank side that often also needs a good cleaning. Only way to access it is to pull the hose off the tank.
Honda snowblower carb does not like Stabil. That’s my only conclusion because the same thing happened to me with a brand new HS720 and a gummed up carb after summer storage with Stabil. The engine resisted starting at first but then once it started it went into hunting mode and I had to pull the bowl and spray gumout into the carb jet and let it soak. Not even Seanfoam worked on the gummed up Stabil.
Nice freebie.
Hi Steve - good informative video. We have had the same model HS520A for the past 20 years and it was working fine till last year when it would run for a few mins and die. We had not been putting non-ethanol premium gas in it. After watching a few How-To videos, I decided to clean the carburetor myself and it worked out ok.The carburetor was clean and no dirt or gunk in it,. This year I noticed that the carburetor is leaking, so I will take another shot at it before taking it to a repair shop. Any tips on how to troubleshoot the leak. Also, where can one buy the oil/fuel dispensing bottle as you have.
If the needle valve is not seating properly the bowl will overfill and fuel will come out the vent. So be sure its not leaking out the vent and running down the outside of the carburetor. If it is not that, there is a gasket to seal the bowl to the carb. However, more likely the bowl may have loosened. This model was known to have an issue with the bowl loosening from vibration. Be careful not to overtighten the bowl or you might crack the metal....it is brittle.
I have one for 20 years just need to remove the carb and clean it ..
Hello I need help with my HS 520 but differs issue. My throttle return spring was loose and it kept loosing off making the engine very weak. I can’t find the diagram how to install that throttle spring back into the carburetor . Thanks in advance
Sorry, I do not remember how the spring attaches and cannot see it because the plastic covers hide it.
I learned about Mustie from you.
thank you for saying that. And thank you for being a longtime sub.
Yup if Mustie1 hasnt made a video on something, that something doesnt exist.
I like how he just has a zero turn out in the snow😭
I had not had time to put the snow plow on it yet 😀
Score!
overhaul the carb and it will run like new anything less is a waste of time.
this is a one sage machine.