Table Of Contents; Safety Messages; Before Operation Checks - Honda GS160 Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a Honda engine. We want to help you get
the best results from your new engine and operate it safely. This
manual contains information on how to do that; please read it carefully
before operating the engine. If a problem should arise, or if you have
any questions about your engine, consult an authorized Honda
servicing dealer.
All information in this publication is based on the latest product
information available at the time of printing. American Honda Motor
Co., Inc. reserves the right to make changes at any time without
notice and without incurring any obligation. No part of this publication
may be reproduced without written permission.
This manual should be considered a permanent part of the engine
and should remain with the engine if resold.
Review the instructions provided with the equipment powered by this
engine for any additional information regarding engine startup,
shutdown, operation, adjustments, or any special maintenance
instructions.
CONTENTS
SAFETY MESSAGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
BEFORE OPERATION CHECKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
STARTING/STOPPING THE ENGINE (ALL TYPES) . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SERVICING YOUR ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MAINTENANCE SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
REFUELING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ENGINE OIL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
AIR CLEANER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SPARK PLUG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SPARK ARRESTER (if equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
STORING YOUR ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TRANSPORTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
TECHNICAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CONSUMER INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SAFETY MESSAGES

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. We have
provided important safety messages in this manual and on the
engine. Please read these messages carefully.
A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you
or others. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert

symbol and one of three words, DANGER, WARNING, or
CAUTION.
These signal words mean:

DANGER

WARNING

CAUTION
Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and
what you can do to avoid or reduce injury.
4
ENGLISH
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don't follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don't follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don't follow
instructions.
DAMAGE PREVENTION MESSAGES
You will also see other important messages that are preceded by the
word NOTICE.
This word means:
Your engine or other property can be damaged
NOTICE
if you don't follow instructions.
The purpose of these messages is to help prevent damage to your
engine, other property, or the environment.
SAFETY INFORMATION
• Understand the operation of all controls and learn how to stop the
engine quickly in case of emergency. Make sure the operator
receives adequate instruction before operating the equipment.
• Do not allow children to operate the engine. Keep children and pets
away from the area of operation.
• Your engine's exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Do
not run the engine without adequate ventilation, and never run the
engine indoors.
• The engine and exhaust become very hot during operation. Keep
the engine at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from buildings and other
equipment during operation. Keep flammable materials away, and
do not place anything on the engine while it is running.
SAFETY LABEL LOCATION
The label shown on page 1 contains important safety information.
Please read it carefully. See
This label is considered a permanent part of your engine. So if the
label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact your dealer for a
replacement.

BEFORE OPERATION CHECKS

IS YOUR ENGINE READY TO GO?
For your safety, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations,
and to maximize the service life of your equipment, it is very important
to take a few moments before you operate the engine to check its
condition. Be sure to take care of any problem you find, or have your
servicing dealer correct it, before you operate the engine.
Improperly maintaining this engine, or failing to correct a problem
before operation, could cause a malfunction in which you could be
seriously injured.
Always perform a pre-operation inspection before each operation,
and correct any problem.
Before beginning your preoperation checks, be sure the engine is
level and the throttle lever or engine stop switch is in the STOP or
OFF position.
Always check the following items before you start the engine:
1. Fuel level (page 6).
2. Oil level (page 7).
®
The Oil Alert system (applicable engine types) will automatically
stop the engine before the oil level falls below safe limits. However,
to avoid the inconvenience of an unexpected shutdown, always
check the engine oil level before startup.
3. Air cleaner (page 7).
4. General inspection: Check for fluid leaks and loose or damaged
parts.
5. Check the equipment powered by this engine.
ENGLISH
page 1.
 WARNING