Honda GX200 Owner's Manual page 17

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 1,500 meters (5,000 feet), 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 300 meter (1,000 foot) increase in altitude.
The effect of altitude on horsepower will be greater than this if no
carburetor modification is made.
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 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) 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.
Emission Control System Information
Source of Emissions
The combustion process produces carbon monoxide, oxides of
nitrogen, and hydrocarbons. Control of hydrocarbons and oxides of
nitrogen is very important because, under certain conditions, they
react to form photochemical smog when subjected to sunlight.
Carbon monoxide does not react in the same way, but it is toxic.
Honda utilizes appropriate air/fuel ratios and other emissions control
systems to reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, oxides of
nitrogen, and hydrocarbons.
Additionally, Honda fuel systems utilize components and control
technologies to reduce evaporative emissions.
The U.S., California Clean Air Act, and Environment Canada
EPA, California, and Canadian regulations require all manufacturers
to furnish written instructions describing the operation and
maintenance of emission control systems.
The following instructions and procedures must be followed in order
to keep the emissions from your Honda engine within the emission
standards.
Tampering and Altering
Tampering with or altering the emission control system may
increase emissions beyond the legal limit. Among those acts that
constitute tampering are:
• Removal or alteration of any part of the intake, fuel, or exhaust
systems.
• Altering or defeating the governor linkage or speed-adjusting
mechanism to cause the engine to operate outside its design
parameters.
Problems That May Affect Emissions
If you are aware of any of the following symptoms, have your
engine inspected and repaired by your servicing dealer.
• Hard starting or stalling after starting.
• Rough idle.
• Misfiring or backfiring under load.
• Afterburning (backfiring).
• Black exhaust smoke or high fuel consumption.
Replacement Parts
The emission control systems on your Honda engine were designed,
built, and certified to conform with EPA, California and Canadian
emission regulations. We recommend the use of genuine Honda
parts whenever you have maintenance done.
These original-design replacement parts are manufactured to the
same standards as the original parts, so you can be confident of
their performance. The use of replacement parts that are not of the
original design and quality may impair the effectiveness of your
emission control system.
A manufacturer of an aftermarket part assumes the responsibility
that the part will not adversely affect emission performance. The
manufacturer or rebuilder of the part must certify that use of the
part will not result in a failure of the engine to comply with
emission regulations.
Maintenance
Follow the maintenance schedule on page 7. Remember that this
schedule is based on the assumption that your machine will be
used for its designed purpose. Sustained high-load or
high-temperature operation, or use in unusually wet or dusty
conditions, will require more frequent service.
ENGLISH
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