Honda 28400-Z8D-911ZA Recoil Starter Assembly (Short Rope) (Power Red)

The Honda 28400-Z8D-911ZA Recoil Starter Assembly (Short Rope) (Power Red) is a genuine OEM recoil starter built for GC160 horizontal shaft engines, GCV160 and GCV190 vertical shaft engines, and HRX217 lawn mowers. As a direct Honda OEM component, this assembly is manufactured to the same specification as the original unit it replaces, ensuring correct engagement with the engine's starting system.

Key Features

• Genuine Honda OEM Assembly — sourced directly from Honda, this starter assembly carries the correct rope length, pawl geometry, and housing color for the Short Rope (Power Red) application — no substitutions or guesswork in the recoil mechanism.
• Short Rope Variant — the rope length is a defined fitment variable on these engines; match the Short Rope designation to your existing starter housing to confirm this is the right assembly for your unit.
• Broad Model Coverage — fits GC160 horizontal shaft engines, GCV160 and GCV190 vertical shaft engines, and HRX217 lawn mowers, including multiple production serial ranges within those families.
• Serial Number Verification Recommended — Honda supersedes starter configurations at production breaks; check your engine or mower serial number against the fitment table to confirm this assembly corresponds to your specific unit.
• Consistent Starting Performance — a worn or damaged recoil starter can result in hard pulling, failed rope retraction, or an inability to start the engine; replacing it with this OEM assembly restores the crisp, controlled pull the engine was designed around.

The recoil starter assembly is the manual starting mechanism mounted to the engine's blower housing. When the operator pulls the handle, a coiled return spring unwinds the rope across a pulley, spinning a set of pawls outward to engage a cup on the engine's flywheel and crank the engine. Once the engine fires, the pawls retract automatically and the spring recoils the rope back into the housing. Over time, the rope can fray or break, the return spring can lose tension or snap, and the pawls can wear or stick — any of these failures prevents a successful start. Replacing the complete assembly rather than individual internal components is the straightforward path to restoring reliable starting on GC160 engines, GCV160 and GCV190 engines, and HRX217 lawn mowers.

Part Details

Compatibility & Fitment

Verify Before You Order

Fitment is machine-number and revision-specific; always confirm your model and serial number against the fitment list.

Why Buy From DHS Equipment

Every part is verified against the manufacturer's part number before it ships, so what you order is what arrives. We carry parts from leading OEM brands and our own DHS Quality Parts line of professional aftermarket components. Need help finding the right part? Our team is available to confirm compatibility whenever you need it. Orders are processed fast to keep your jobs on track. We don't just sell parts. We keep you jobsite ready.

Questions? Contact our team at [email protected] or 866-611-9369 — DHS Equipment is here to help you maintain peak performance.