Operation; Safe Operating Precautions; Starting/Stopping The Engine (All Types) - Honda GC190 Owner's Manual

Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered by
this engine for any precautions and procedures that should be
followed before engine startup.

OPERATION

SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS

Before operating the engine for the first time, please review the
SAFETY MESSAGES and the BEFORE OPERATION CHECKS
page 4.
For your safety, do not operate the engine in an enclosed area such
as a garage. Your engine's exhaust contains poisonous carbon
monoxide gas that can collect rapidly in an enclosed area and cause
illness or death.
 WARNING
Exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas that can build
up to dangerous levels in closed areas. Breathing carbon
monoxide can cause unconsciousness or death.
Never run the engine in a closed or even partially closed area
where people may be present.
Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered by this
engine for any safety precautions that should be observed with
engine startup, shutdown, or operation.
Do not operate the engine on slopes greater than 20°.
FREQUENCY OF USE
If your equipment will be used on an infrequent or intermittent basis
(more than 4 weeks between usage), refer to the Fuel section of the
STORAGE chapter (page 8) for additional information regarding fuel
deterioration.

STARTING/STOPPING THE ENGINE (ALL TYPES)

See the figures on the top of page 2 to identify the type of control used
on your equipment. Type specific starting and stopping information
can be found after the general information shown below.
• Manual choke: Place the choke lever/rod [1] in the CHOKE
position when starting a cold engine.
Move the choke lever/rod to the OFF position as soon as the
engine fully warms up and runs smoothly without use of the choke,
or for restarting a warm engine.
• Engine speed: For best engine performance, it is recommended
the engine be operated with the throttle in the FAST (or high)
position.
• Starter grip: Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt, and
then pull briskly.
NOTICE
Do not allow the starter grip to snap back against the engine.
Return it gently to prevent damage to the starter.
®
OIL ALERT SYSTEM (APPLICABLE ENGINE TYPES)
The Oil Alert system is designed to prevent engine damage caused
by an insufficient amount of oil in the crankcase. Before the oil level in
the crankcase can fall below a safe limit, the Oil Alert system will
automatically stop the engine [the throttle lever (ignition switch lever)
will remain in a run position].
If the engine stops and will not restart, check the engine oil level
(page 7) before troubleshooting in other areas.
Type 1: Manual Choke, Manual Throttle
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Move the choke rod [1] to the CLOSED position (cold engine)
(see Figure 1, page 2).
2. Move the throttle lever (gray) [2] to the SLOW position, about 1/3
of the way toward the FAST position (see Figure 2,
Some engine applications use a remotely-mounted throttle control
rather than the engine-mounted throttle lever shown.
3. Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt; then pull briskly.
4. If the choke rod was pulled to the CLOSED position to start the
engine, push it to the OPEN position as soon as the engine warms
up enough to run smoothly.
5. Position the throttle control lever (gray) for the desired engine
speed.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
1. Move the throttle control lever (gray) to the SLOW position.
2. Allow the engine to idle for a few seconds; then move the throttle
control lever to the STOP position.
Type 2: Manual Choke, Ignition Switch Lever,
Fixed Throttle
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Move the choke rod [1] to the CLOSED position (cold engine)
(see Figure 1, page 2).
2. Move the ignition switch lever (red) [4] to the ON position (see
Figure 4, page 2).
Some engine applications use a remote-mounted ignition switch
rather than the engine-mounted lever shown.
3. Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt; then pull briskly.
4. If the choke rod was pulled to the CLOSED position to start the
engine, push it to the OPEN position as soon as the engine warms
up enough to run smoothly.
The engine speed is preset on this type.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Move the ignition switch lever (red) to the OFF position
(see Figure 5, page 2).
Type 3: Manual Choke, Engine Stop Switch, Fixed Throttle
Some engine applications use a remote-mounted engine stop
switch rather than the engine-mounted engine stop switch shown.
Refer to the instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Move the choke rod [1] to the CLOSED position (cold engine)
(see Figure 1, page 2).
2. Move the engine stop switch [2] to the ON position (see Figure 6,
page 2).
3. Pull the starter grip lightly until resistance is felt; then pull briskly.
4. If the choke rod was pulled to the CLOSED position to start the
engine, push it to the OPEN position as soon as the engine warms
up enough to run smoothly.
The engine speed is preset on this type.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Move the engine stop switch to the OFF position (see Figure 6,
page 2).
ENGLISH
page 2).
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