Servicing Your Engine; The Importance Of Maintenance; Maintenance Safety; Safety Precautions - Honda GCV170 Owner's Manual

SERVICING YOUR ENGINE

THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE

Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and trouble-free
operation. It will also help reduce pollution.
 WARNING
Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a problem before
operation, can cause a malfunction.
Some malfunctions can seriously hurt or kill you.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
recommendations and schedules in this Owner's Manual.
To help you properly care for your engine, the following pages include
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and simple
maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service tasks
that are more difficult, or require special tools, are best handled by
professionals and are normally performed by a Honda technician or
other qualified mechanic.
The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions. If
you operate your engine under severe conditions, such as sustained
high-load or high-temperature operation, or use in unusually wet or
dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer for recommendations
applicable to your individual needs and use.
Use only Honda Genuine parts or their equivalent. The use of
replacement parts which are not of equivalent quality may damage
the engine.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices
and systems may be performed by any engine repair establishment
or individual, using parts that are ''certified'' to EPA standards.

MAINTENANCE SAFETY

Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we
cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.
 WARNING
Improper maintenance can cause an unsafe condition.
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in this Owner's
Manual.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or
repairs. To prevent unintentional startup, disconnect the spark plug
cap. This will eliminate several potential hazards:
– Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.
Operate outside, away from open windows or doors.
– Burns from hot parts.
Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching.
– Injury from moving parts.
Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.
• Read the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have
the tools and skills required.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when
working around gasoline. Use only a non-flammable solvent, not
gasoline, to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks and flames away
from all fuel related parts.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Perform at every indicated month/year or operating hour interval,
(1)
whichever comes first.
Regular
Service Period
Before each Check: Engine oil level
use Check: Air filter
First month Change: Engine oil
or 5 hours
Every 3 months Clean: Air filter
or 25 hours
Every 6 months Change: Engine oil
or 50 hours Clean: Air filter
Check: Flywheel brake
Every year 6 month items plus:
or 100 hours Check-adjust: Spark plug
Clean: Spark arrester (if equipped)
Check-adjust: Idle speed
Clean: Fuel tank and filter
Check-adjust: Valve clearance
Every 2 years Yearly items plus:
or 200 hours Replace: Air filter
Replace: Spark plug
Every 2 years Check: Fuel lines (replace if
necessary)
(1) For commercial use, log hours of operation to determine proper
maintenance intervals.
(2) Service more frequently when used in dusty areas.
(3) Change engine oil every 25 hours when used under heavy load or in high
ambient temperatures.
(4) These items should be serviced by an authorized Honda servicing dealer,
unless you have the proper tools and are mechanically proficient. Refer
to the Honda shop manual for service procedures.
Failure to follow this maintenance schedule could result in
non-warrantable failures.
To drain the engine oil or perform repairs on the bottom of the engine,
tilt it 90 degrees with the muffler side down. Do not tilt with the
carburetor side down.

REFUELING

This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline with a:
• pump octane rating of 86 or higher
• research octane rating of 91 or higher
We recommend refueling after each use to minimize the air present in
the fuel tank.
Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. If the engine
has been running, allow it to cool first. Never refuel the engine inside
a building where gasoline fumes may reach flames or sparks.
You may use regular unleaded gasoline containing no more than 10%
ethanol (E10) or 5% methanol by volume. In addition, methanol must
contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors. Use of fuels with content
of ethanol or methanol greater than shown above may cause starting
and/or performance problems. It may also damage metal, rubber, and
plastic parts of the fuel system. In addition, ethanol is hygroscopic,
which means it attracts and retains water in the fuel system. Engine
damage or performance problems that result from using a fuel with
percentages of ethanol or methanol greater than shown above are not
covered by warranty.
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