Spark Arrester (If Equipped); Storing Your Engine - Honda GCV140 Owner's Manual

SPARK ARRESTER (if equipped)

See F8 on page 4.
In Europe and other countries where machinery directive 2006/42/EC
is enforced, this cleaning should be done by your servicing dealer.
The spark arrester must be serviced every 100 hours to keep it
functioning as designed.
If the engine has been running, the muffler will be hot. Allow it to cool
before servicing the spark arrester.
Removal
1. Remove the three 6 mm bolts [1] from the muffler protector [2], and
remove the muffler protector.
2. Remove the special screw [3] from the spark arrester [4], and
remove the spark arrester from the muffler [5].
Cleaning & Inspection
1. Use a brush to remove carbon deposits from the spark arrester
screen. Be careful not to damage the screen. Replace the spark
arrester if it has breaks or holes.
2. Install the spark arrester in the reverse order of removal.

STORING YOUR ENGINE

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.
Cleaning
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least half an hour
before cleaning. Clean all exterior surfaces, touch up any damaged
paint, and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
NOTICE
Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force water
into the air cleaner or muffler opening. Water in the air cleaner will
soak the air filter, and water that passes through the air filter or muffler
can enter the cylinder, causing damage.
Fuel
NOTICE
Depending on the region where you operate your equipment, fuel
formulations may deteriorate and oxidize rapidly. Fuel deterioration
and oxidation can occur in as little as 30 days and may cause damage
to the carburetor and/or fuel system. Please check with your servicing
dealer for local storage recommendations.
The length of time that petrol can be left in your fuel tank and
carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such
factors as petrol blend, your storage temperatures, and whether the
fuel tank is partially or completely filled. The air in a partially filled fuel
tank promotes fuel deterioration. Very warm storage temperatures
accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel problems may occur within a month
of inactivity, or even less if the petrol was not fresh when you filled the
fuel tank.
Petrol will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Deteriorated petrol will
cause hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits that can clog the
small passages in the fuel system. If the petrol in your engine
deteriorates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor and
other fuel system components serviced or replaced.
10
If you keep a container of petrol for refueling, be sure that it contains
only fresh petrol. If it takes more than 3 months to use the fuel in your
storage container, we suggest adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel when
you fill the container.
Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting from
neglected storage preparation are not covered under your engine
warranty.
Short Term Storage (30 - 90 days)
If your equipment will not be used between 30 and 90 days, we
recommend the following to prevent fuel-related problems:
1. Add fuel stabilizer following the manufacturer's instructions.
When adding a fuel stabilizer, fill the fuel tank with fresh petrol. If
only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration
during storage.
Note:
– All stabilizers have a shelf life and their performance will
deteriorate over time.
– Fuel stabilizers will not reconstitute stale fuel.
2. After adding a fuel stabilizer, run the engine outdoors for
10 minutes to be sure that treated petrol has replaced the
untreated petrol in the carburetor.
3. Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position.
4. Continue to run the engine until it stops from the lack of fuel in the
carburetor fuel bowl. Running time should be less than 3 minutes.
Long Term or Seasonal Storage (greater than 90 days)
Start the engine and allow it to run long enough to empty all the petrol
from the entire fuel system (including the fuel tank). Do not allow
petrol to remain in your engine for more than 90 days of inactivity.
Engine Oil
1. Change the engine oil (see page 9).
2. Remove the spark plug (see page 9).
3. Pour 5 ~ 10 cc of clean engine oil into the cylinder.
4. Pull the recoil starter several times to distribute the oil.
5. Reinstall the spark plug.
Storage Precautions
If your engine will be stored with petrol in the fuel tank, it is important
to reduce the hazard of petrol 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.
If possible, avoid storage areas with high humidity, because that
promotes rust and corrosion.
If there is petrol in the fuel tank, leave the fuel valve in the OFF
position.
Keep the engine level in storage. Tilting can cause fuel or oil leakage.
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the engine to keep
out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some
materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover. A nonporous
cover will trap moisture around the engine, promoting rust and
corrosion.
Removal From Storage
Check your engine as described in the BEFORE OPERATION
CHECKS section of this manual (see page 5).
If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill the tank with
fresh petrol. If you keep a container of petrol for refueling, be sure it
contains only fresh petrol. Petrol oxidizes and deteriorates over time,
causing hard starting.
ENGLISH