Honda Engine GX120 GX160 GX200 Owners Manual

							11
GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL
If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol (gasohol), be
sure it’s octane rating is at least as high as that recommended by
Honda. There are two types of ‘‘gasohol’’: one containing ethanol,
and the other containing methanol. Do not use gasohol that
contains more than 10% ethanol. Do not use gasoline containing
methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does not also contain
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol. Never use
gasoline containing more than 5% methanol, even if it has
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors.
Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting
from the use of fuels that contain alcohol is not covered under
the warranty. Honda cannot endorse the use of fuels containing
methanol since evidence of their suitability is as yet incomplete.
Before buying fuel from an unfamiliar station, try to find out if
the fuel contains alcohol, if it does, confirm the type and
percentage of alcohol used. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms while using a gasoline that contains
alcohol, or one that you think contains alcohol, switch to a
gasoline that you know does not contain alcohol. 
						

							12
STARTING THE ENGINE
FUEL VALVE
……ON
CLOSE…… CHOKE LEVER
CLOSE
O
ON
N
Turn the fuel valve to the ON position.
Move the choke lever to the CLOSED position.
Do not use the choke if the engine is warm or the air temperature
is high. 2. 1. 
						

							13
ENGINE SWITCH
THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER
HIGH
ON
ON
ON
ON LOW
Move the throttle control lever slightly to the left.
With recoil starter: Start the engine.
Turn the engine switch to the ON position.
3.
4. 
						

							14
Do not allow the starter grip to
snap back against the engine.
Return it gently to prevent
damage to the starter.
ENGINE SWITCHSTART
With electric starter
(where equipped):
Turn the engine switch to the
START position and hold it
there until the engine starts.
Pull the starter grip lightly until
resistance is felt, then pull briskly.
Do not use the electric starter for
more than 5 seconds at a time. If
the engine fails to start, release
the key and wait 10 seconds
before operating the starter again.
When the engine starts, return
the switch to the ON position. 
						

							15
High altitude operation
Operation of the engine at an altitude lower than the carburetor is
jetted for may result in reduced performance, overheating, and
serious engine damage caused by an excessively lean air/fuel
mixture. At high altitude, the standard carburetor air-fuel mixture will be ex-
cessively rich. Performance will decrease, and fuel consumption
will increase.
Even with suitable carburetor jetting, engine horsepower will
decrease approximately 3.5% for each 305 m (1,000 feet) increase
in altitude. The affect of altitude on horsepower will be greater
than this if no carburetor modification is made. High altitude performance can be improved by specific modifica-
tions to the carburetor. If you always operate the engine at
altitudes higher than 1,830 m (6,000 feet) above sea level, have
your authorized Honda dealer perform these carburetor modifi-
cations. 
						

							16
OPERATION
O
OP
PE
EN
N
HIGH LOW
CHOKE LEVER
……OPEN
THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER
As the engine warms up, gradually move the choke lever to the
OPEN position.
Position the throttle control lever for the desired engine speed.
1.
2. 
						

							17
Oil alert system
If the engine stops and will not restart, check the engine oil level
(page ) before troubleshooting in other areas.
Circuit breaker (for electric starter)(Where equipped)
ON
CIRCUIT BREAKER OFF
The Oil Alert System is designed to prevent engine damage
caused by an insufficient amount of oil in the crankcase. Before
the oil level in the crankcase can fall below a safe limit, the Oil
Alert System will automatically stop the engine (the engine switch
will remain in the ON position).
The circuit breaker protects the battery charging circuit. A short
circuit or a battery connected in reverse polarity will trip the circuit
breaker.
The green indicator inside the circuit breaker will pop out to show
that the circuit breaker has switched off. If this occurs, determine
the cause of the problem, and correct it before resetting the circuit
breaker.
Push the circuit breaker button to reset.6 
						

							18
STOPPING THE ENGINE
OFF
LOW
THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER
FUEL VALVE
O
OF
FF
FO
OF
FF
F
ENGINE SWITCH
OFF
OFF…… OFF
To stop the engine in an emergency, turn the engine switch to the
OFF position. Under normal conditions, use the following
procedure:
Move the throttle control lever fully to the right.
Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position. Turn the engine switch to the OFF position.
1.
2.
3. 
						

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19
MAINTENANCE
Shut off the engine before performing any maintenance.
The engine should be serviced by an authorized Honda dealer
unless the owner has proper tools and service data and feels he
is mechanically qualified.
Use only genuine Honda parts or their equivalent. The use of
replacement parts which are not of equivalent quality may
damage the engine.
Maintenance Schedule To prevent accidental start-up, turn OFF the engine switch key
and disconnect the spark plug cap.
These items should be serviced by an authorized Honda dealer, unless the owner has
the proper tools and is mechanically proficient. See the Honda Shop Manual. Service more frequently when used in dusty areas.
REGULAR SERVICE PERIOD
Performed at every indicated month or
operating hour interval, whichever comes first.
Each use
Every 2 years (2)
First
month or
20 Hrs. Every
3 month or
50 Hrs.
(1)
Check level
Change
Check level
Change
Check
Clean
Clean
Check Clean
Clean
Check Adjust
Clean
Check
(Replace if necessary)
ITEM
Engine oil
Reduction gear oil
(applicable models only)
Air cleaner
Sediment cup
Spark plug
Spark arrester
(optional part)
Valve clearance
Fuel tank and strainer
Fuel line Every
6 month or
100 Hrs. Every
year or
300 Hrs.
(2)
(2)
(1):
(2):
Periodic inspection and adjustment of the Honda engine is
essential if high level performance is to be maintained. Regular
maintenance will also ensure a long service life. The required
service intervals and the kind of maintenance to be performed are
described on the table below. 
						

							20
Oil change
ENGINE OIL CAPACITY:
1/2 REDUCTION GEAR OIL CAPACITY:
1/6 REDUCTION GEAR OIL CAPACITY:
Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact
with the skin for prolonged periods. Although this is unlikely
unless you handle used oil on a daily basis, it is still advisable to
thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as
possible after handling used oil. 1.
OIL FILLER CAP
OIL FILLER CAP LEVEL
[REDUCTION GEAR OIL]
DRAIN PLUG DRAIN
PLUG
[ENGINE OIL]
Drain the oil while the engine is still warm to assure rapid and
complete draining.
Remove the oil filler cap and drain plug to drain the oil.
Install the drain plug, and tighten it securely.
Refill with the recommended oil (see page ) and check the oil
level.
Install the oil filler cap.
Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible
with the environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container
to your local service station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the
trash, pour it on the ground, or down a drain. 1.
2.
3.
4. 6
0.50(0.53 US qt , 0.44 Imp qt)
0.15
(0.16 US qt , 0.13 Imp qt) 0.60
(0.63 US qt , 0.53 Imp qt)