Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Honda quad 2 lawn mower

OK. I was mowing my lawn, Honda push mower, quad 2 HRR2162SDA, when I inadvertenly rammed the front of the mower into an object harder that the mower's front. Not a hard hit, but a hit. Mower stops. Won't start. Inspection revealed that on the front of the mower, just below the spark plug, is an aluminum cover that has a dent in it. There are letters on this AL cover, the are "OHC". It appears that there are four bolts holding this cover to the engine. Removed the bolts, but the cover will not come off. Replaced bolts, won't start.
The hit on this front obviously created the dent in this soft metal cover, which just as obviously, stopped the engine.
Question: What does this cover....cover? And, can it be removed after the four bolts are removed or is there something else holding the cover on? May I forcibly remove the damaged AL cover without causing additional harm? Thanks for your help.
byrd man

OK. I was mowing my lawn, Honda push mower, quad 2 HRR2162SDA, when I inadvertenly rammed the front of the mower into an object harder that the mower's front. Not a hard hit, but a hit. Mower stops. Won't start. Inspection revealed that on the front of the mower, just below the spark plug, is an aluminum cover that has a dent in it. There are letters on this AL cover, the are "OHC". It appears that there are four bolts holding this cover to the engine. Removed the bolts, but the cover will not come off. Replaced bolts, won't start.
The hit on this front obviously created the dent in this soft metal cover, which just as obviously, stopped the engine.
Question: What does this cover....cover? And, can it be removed after the four bolts are removed or is there something else holding the cover on? May I forcibly remove the damaged AL cover without causing additional harm? Thanks for your help.
byrd man

You have dented the valve or upper cam cover on your honda. The dent is holding the valve open and you need to remove the bolts to remove the cover. It is probably stuck and will need a gentle nudge to get it loose. Tap out the dent and reinstall. you may need a new gasket. I see this a lot on the Honda engine mowers accross all brands that use the Honda engine. Once I explain what is happening, the customer is a little more careful as to pushing the mower into something. The engine needs a guard for the valve cover. Good luck.

I believe the cover you are describing is the valve cover. If it is bent enough it could interfere with the valve operation, since your mower will not start it probably is.

The valve cover is sealed with silicon sealant and can be quite difficult to remove, but it will come off once the retaining bolts are removed. The cover will have to come off and be straightened and possibly replaced.

With the cover off pull the starter rope and observe the valve operation. You can try to start the engine with the cover off, if it starts don't let it run but a few seconds as oil will come out and make quite a mess.

I agree, it is bent in and causing a valve to stay open. Pry it off without bending it up, straighten the dent, and re-silicone it and reinstall. Clean the old silicone off first.