Instruction Manual

ManualsBrandsHONDA ManualsToolsGC160

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a Honda engine. We want to help you to get

the best results from your new engine and to operate it safely. This

manual contains information on how to do that; please read it carefully

before operating the engine. If a problem should arise, or if you have

any questions about your engine, consult an authorized Honda

servicing dealer.

All information in this publication is based on the latest product

information available at the time of printing. American Honda Motor

Co., Inc. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice

and without incurring any obligation. No part of this publication may be

reproduced without written permission.

This manual should be considered a permanent part of the engine and

should remain with the engine if resold.

Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered by this

engine for any additional information regarding engine startup,

shutdown, operation, adjustments or any special maintenance

instructions.

SAFETY MESSAGES

Your safety and the safety of others is very important. We have

provided important safety messages in this manual and on the engine.

Please read these messages carefully.

A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or

others. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert symbol



and one of three words, DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

These signal words mean:

Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and

what you can do to avoid or reduce injury.

DAMAGE PREVENTION MESSAGES

You will also see other important messages that are preceded by the

word NOTICE.

This word means:

The purpose of these messages is to help prevent damage to your

engine, other property, or the environment.

SAFETY INFORMATION

• Understand the operation of all controls and learn how to stop the

engine quickly in case of emergency. Make sure the operator

receives adequate instruction before operating the equipment.

• Your engine’s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Do not

run the engine without adequate ventilation, and never run the

engine indoors.

• The engine and exhaust become very hot during operation. Keep

the engine at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from buildings and other

equipment during operation. Keep flammable materials away, and

do not place anything on the engine while it is running.

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

SAFETY MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . 1

COMPONENT & CONTROL

LOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

IS YOUR ENGINE

READY TO GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Safe Operating

Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Type 1 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Type 2 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Type 3 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Oil Alert

System . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SERVICING YOUR ENGINE . . . . . 4

The Importance of

Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Maintenance Safety . . . . . . . . . 4

Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . 4

Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 5

Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fuel Recommendations . . . . . . 5

ENGINE OIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Recommended Oil. . . . . . . . . . . 5

Oil Level Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Oil Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

AIR CLEANER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Spark Plug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Spark Arrester . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

HELPFUL TIPS &

SUGGESTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Storing Your Engine . . . . . . . . . 7

Transporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED

PROBLEMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

TECHNICAL & CONSUMER

INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Serial Number Location . . . . . . 8

High Altitude Operation . . . . . . 8

Oxygenated Fuels . . . . . . . . . . 9

Emission Control System

Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Air Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Tuneup Specifications . . . . . . 10

Quick Reference Information . 10

Wiring Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

CONSUMER INFORMATION

Honda Publications. . . . . . . . . 11

Distributor’s Limited

Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Emission Control System

Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Distributor/Dealer Locator

Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Warranty Service

Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

OWNER’S MANUAL

GC160

31ZL8A04

00X31-ZL8-A040

POM52707E

200,000.2002.11

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

EM3

IPC

 WARNING: 

The engine exhaust from this product

contains chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer, birth

defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY

HURT if you don't follow instructions.

WARNING

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY

HURT if you don't follow instructions.

CAUTION

You CAN be HURT if you don't follow

instructions.

NOTICE

Your engine or other property can be

damaged if you don’t follow instructions.

Summary of content (12 pages)

PAGE 1
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing a Honda engine. We want to help you to get the best results from your new engine and to operate it safely. This manual contains information on how to do that; please read it carefully before operating the engine. If a problem should arise, or if you have any questions about your engine, consult an authorized Honda servicing dealer. OWNER’S MANUAL GC160 All information in this publication is based on the latest product information available at the time of printing.
PAGE 2
COMPONENT & CONTROL LOCATION BEFORE OPERATION CHECKS IS YOUR ENGINE READY TO GO? AIR CLEANER MUFFLER For your safety, and to maximize the service life of your equipment, it is very important to take a few moments before you operate the engine to check its condition. Be sure to take care of any problem you find, or have your servicing dealer correct it, before you operate the engine.
PAGE 3
2. Move the throttle lever (gray) away from the SLOW position, about 1/3 of the way toward the FAST position. TYPE 2: FIXED THROTTLE / IGNITION SWITCH LEVER / MANUAL CHOKE THROTTLE LEVER (gray) Starting A Cold Engine Some engine applications use a remotely-mounted throttle control rather than the engine-mounted throttle lever shown here. CHOKE ROD 1. Pull the choke rod to the CLOSED position. FAST SLOW 3. Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt, then pull briskly. 2.
PAGE 4
SERVICING YOUR ENGINE TYPE 3: FIXED THROTTLE / ENGINE STOP SWITCH / MANUAL CHOKE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE Starting A Cold Engine 1. Pull the choke rod to the CLOSED position. Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical and trouble-free operation. It will also help reduce pollution. CHOKE ROD  WARNING Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a problem before operation, can cause a malfunction in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
PAGE 5
ENGINE OIL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE REGULAR SERVICE PERIOD (4) ITEM Perform at every indicated month or operating hour interval, whichever comes first. Engine oil Check Before First Every 3 Every 6 Every Every Two Each Month Months Months Year Years or or or or Use 5 Hrs 25 Hrs 50 Hrs 100 Hrs or 250 Hrs 5 O Check O (2) 5 O Clean O (1) Replace Spark plug Use 4-stroke motor oil that meets or exceeds the requirements for API service classification SH, SJ, or equivalent.
PAGE 6
AIR CLEANER 5. Install the spark plug carefully, by hand, to avoid cross-threading. A dirty air cleaner will restrict air flow to the carburetor and cause poor engine performance. Inspect the filter each time the engine is operated. You will need to clean the filter more frequently if you operate the engine in very dusty areas. 6. After the spark plug is seated, tighten with the proper size spark plug wrench to compress the washer. 7.
PAGE 7
HELPFUL TIPS & SUGGESTIONS DRAINING THE FUEL TANK AND CARBURETOR STORING YOUR ENGINE  WARNING Storage Preparation Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive, and you can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel. Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your engine trouble-free and looking good. The following steps will help to keep rust and corrosion from impairing your engine’s function and appearance, and will make the engine easier to start when you use it again.
PAGE 8
TECHNICAL & CONSUMER INFORMATION Storage Precautions If your engine will be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank and carburetor, it is important to reduce the hazard of gasoline vapor ignition. Select a well-ventilated storage area away from any appliance that operates with a flame, such as a furnace, water heater, or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark-producing electric motor, or where power tools are operated.
PAGE 9
Oxygenated Fuels Emission Control System Information Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions. Source of Emissions The combustion process produces carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and hydrocarbons.
PAGE 10
Air Index Wiring Diagram An Air Index Information hang tag/label is applied to engines certified to an emission durability time period in accordance with the requirements of the California Air Resources Board. With Oil Alert The bar graph is intended to provide you, our customer, the ability to compare the emissions performance of available engines. The lower the Air Index, the less pollution.
PAGE 11
CONSUMER INFORMATION Emission Control System Warranty Honda Publications Your new Honda Power Equipment engine complies with both the U.S. EPA and State of California emission regulations. American Honda provides the same emission warranty coverage for engines sold in all 50 states. These publications will give you additional information for maintaining and repairing your engine.You may order them from an authorized Honda engine servicing dealer.
PAGE 12
Warranty Coverage: Distributor/Dealer Locator Information Honda power equipment engines manufactured after January 1, 1995 and sold in the State of California, and U.S. EPA certified engines manufactured on or after September 1, 1996 and sold in all of the United States, are covered by this warranty for a period of two years from the date of delivery to the original retail purchaser. This warranty is transferable to each subsequent purchaser for the duration of the warranty period.