Transporting; Taking Care Of Unexpected Problems; Technical Information - Honda GCV160 Owner's Manual

Removal From Storage
Check your engine as described in the BEFORE OPERATION
CHECKS section of this manual (see
If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill the tank with
fresh gasoline. If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling, be
sure it contains only fresh gasoline. Gasoline oxidizes and
deteriorates over time, causing hard starting.
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal.

TRANSPORTING

Keep the engine level when transporting to reduce the possibility of
fuel leakage. Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position.
Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered by this
engine for any procedures that should be followed for transporting.

TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS

Engine will not start
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Fuel valve is OFF.
Choke is OFF.
Ignition switch or engine stop
switch is OFF.
Out of fuel.
Bad fuel; engine stored
without treating gasoline, or
refueled with bad gasoline.
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
improperly gapped.
Spark plug wet with fuel
(flooded engine).
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition
malfunction, valves stuck, etc.
Engine lacks power
POSSIBLE CAUSE
Air filter clogged.
Bad fuel; engine stored
without treating the gasoline,
of refueled with bad gasoline.
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition
malfunction, valves stuck, etc.
10
page 4).
CORRECTION
Move the fuel valve lever to ON.
Unless the engine is warm, move
the choke/throttle lever, choke rod,
or choke lever to the CHOKE
position. (if equipped)
Move the flywheel brake lever to
RUN position.
Throttle lever to FAST position.
Engine stop switch to ON.
Refuel.
Refuel with fresh gasoline.
Adjust or replace the spark plug
(page 8).
Dry and reinstall the spark plug.
Start the engine with the
choke/throttle lever in the FAST
position.
Choke in the OFF position.
Take the engine to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer or refer to
the shop manual to replace or
repair faulty components as
necessary.
CORRECTION
Clean or replace the air filter
(page 8).
Refuel with fresh gasoline.
Take the engine to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer or refer to
the shop manual to replace or
repair faulty components as
necessary.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Serial Number and Type Location

See Figure on page 1.
Record the engine serial number and type in the space below. You
will need this information when ordering parts and when making
technical or warranty inquiries.
MODEL SERIAL NUMBER
GCV160 or 190
__ __ __ __ __– __ __ _ __ __ __ __ _ __
Date of purchase
Radio Frequency Interference Label (Canada)
This engine complies with Canadian radio frequency interference
regulations, ICES-002.
Carburetor Modifications for High Altitude Operation
At high altitude, the standard carburetor air-fuel mixture will be too
rich. Performance will decrease, and fuel consumption will increase. A
very rich mixture will also foul the spark plug and cause hard starting.
Operation at an altitude that differs from that at which this engine was
certified, for extended periods of time, may increase emissions.
High altitude performance can be improved by specific modifications
to the carburetor. If you always operate your engine at altitudes above
5,000 feet (1,500 meters), have your servicing dealer perform this
carburetor modification. This engine, when operated at high altitude
with the carburetor modifications for high altitude use, will meet each
emission standard throughout its useful life.
Even with carburetor modification, engine horsepower will decrease
about 3.5% for each 1,000-foot (300-meter) increase in altitude. The
effect of altitude on horsepower will be greater than this if no
carburetor modification is made.
When auto throttle type engines are used in high altitude applications,
the ability to idle down to 2500 rpm could be diminished. See your
servicing dealer for information on adjustments if your auto throttle
unit does not idle down with the load released or has trouble returning
to full rpm with the load applied.
NOTICE
When the carburetor has been modified for high altitude operation,
the air-fuel mixture will be too lean for low altitude use. Operation at
altitudes below 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) with a modified carburetor
may cause the engine to overheat and result in serious engine
damage. For use at low altitudes, have your servicing dealer return
the carburetor to original factory specifications.
TYPE