3180-00 14 60706-238
ENGINE CARE
If major engine service or repair is required, contact
an authorized engine service center. The manufac-
turer of these engines has established an excellent
world-wide engine service organization. Engine ser-
vice is very likely available from a nearby authorized
dealer or distributor. Check the yellow pages of your
local telephone directory under “Engines-Gasoline”
for the closest engine repair center or ask the dealer
from whom you purchased the power plant.
1. Change the oilaftertherst20hoursofopera-
tion and yearly or 100 hours thereafter under normal
operating conditions. Change engine oil every 50
hours of operation if the engine is operated under
heavy load, or in high ambient temperatures.
a. Start the engine and warm it up, stop the engine
and remove the spark plug wire to prevent it
from accidently being started.
b. Remove oil drain bolt at base of the engine
and drain the oil into an approved container.
c. Replace oil drain bolt making sure the sealing
washer is in place..
d. Withtheengineinalevelposition,llwithnew
oil. Refer to the table on page 5 for the proper
grade of oil.
NOTE: This engine requires 38 to 39 ounces of oil
ifitiscompletelydrained.Usecautionwhenrelling
the engine as some residual oil may have remained
intheengine.Alwaysusethedipstickwhenllingthe
enginewithoiltopreventoverlling.
e. Replacellerplug.
f Start the engine up and warm it up.
h. After warming up the engine, recheck the oil
levelandrellasnecessarytobringittothe
proper level.
2. Checking the Oil Level: The oil level must al-
ways be checked before the engine is started. Take
care to remove any dirt or debris from around the
oilllplugbeforeremoving.Besuretheoillevelis
maintained. Fill to the “FULL” mark on the dipstick.
3. Dual Element Air Filter: Clean and/or replace
foampre-cleanerandairlterannuallyorevery100
hours. Service more often under dusty conditions.
WARNING: EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
Never start or run the engine with the air lter re-
moved
a. Remove the wing nut from the air cleaner cover
and remove cover
b. Removethewingnutfromtheairlter,and
removethelter.
d. Removethefoamlterelementfromthepaper
lterelement.
e, Inspectbothlterelements,andreplacethem
if they are damaged. Always replace the paper
lterelementatthescheduledinterval.
See page 11.
f. Toloosendebris,gentlytaptheairlterona
hardsurface.Iftheairlterisexcessivelydirty
replacewithanewlter.Youcanusepres-
surized air (not to exceed 30 psi.) to clean the
lter.Alwaysblowthecompressedairfrom
inside to the outside.
g. Washthefoamlterelementinliquiddetergent
and water. Then allow it to thoroughly air dry.
Dipthefoamlterelementincleanengineoil
and squeeze out all the excess oil. The engine
will smoke when started if too much oil is left in
the foam.
h. Clean the dirt from the inside of the air cleaner
body and cover. Be careful to prevent dirt from
entering the air duct that leads to the carburetor.
Reinstalltheairlterinhousingmakingsure
thegasketisinplacebeneaththelterelement.
Tighten the wing nut securely.
I Install and secure the cover.
ENGLISH
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE
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
Injury from moving parts.
Burns from hot parts.
Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
SERVICING YOUR ENGINE
TUBE CLIP
BREATHER TUBE BREATHER TUBE
INTERNAL VENT
CARBURETOR TYPE
STANDARD TYPE
7
Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a
problembefore operation, can cause a malfunction in
which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
recommendations andschedules inthis 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 thatare 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 operatingconditions.
If you operate your engine under severe conditions, such as
sustainedhigh-load or high-temperature operation, or use in
unusually wet or dusty conditions, consult your servicingdealer
for recommendations applicable to your individual needs and use.
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.
To ensure the best quality and reliability, use only new genuine
Honda parts or their equivalents for repair andreplacement.
Remember that an authorized Honda servicing dealer knows your
engine best and is fully equipped to maintain and repair it.
To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when
workingaroundgasoline. Use only a nonflammable solvent, not
gasoline, to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks and flames
away from all fuel related parts.
Read the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have
the tools and skills required.
Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.
Let the engine and exhaustsystem cool before touching.
Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate
the engine.
Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance
or repairs. This will eliminate several potential hazards:
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.
Internal vent carburetor with dual element type only.
Cyclone type every 6 months or 150hours.
Replace paper element type only.
Cyclone type every 2 years or 600 hours.
These items should be serviced by your servicing dealer,
unless youhave the proper tools andare mechanically
proficient. Refer to Honda shop manual for service procedures.
Service more frequently when usedin dusty areas.
For commercial use, log hours of operation to determine
proper maintenance intervals.
Failure to follow this maintenance schedule could result in non-
warrantable failures.
Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical and trouble-
free operation. It will also help reduce pollution.
(1)
(2)
(3)
REGULAR SERVICE PERIOD (3)
ITEM
Perform at every
indicated month or
operating hour interval,
whichever comes first.
Check level
Change
Check level
Change
Check
Clean
Replace
Clean
Check-adjust
Replace
Clean
Check-adjust
Check-adjust
Clean
Clean
Check
Each
Use First
Month
or
20 Hrs
Every 3
Months
or
50 Hrs
(1)
Every 6
Months
or
100 Hrs
(1)
(2)
Every
Year
or
300 Hrs
(2)
(2)
After every 500 Hrs. (2)
Every 2 years
(Replace if necessary) (2)
Engine oil
Reduction case
oil
( )
Air filter
Sediment cup
Spark plug
Spark arrester
( )
Idle speed
Valve clearance
Combustion
chamber
Fuel tank &
filter
Fuel tube
Refer
to
Page
9
9
9
10
10
10 11
12
12
13
13
Shop
manual
Shop
manual
Shop
manual
Shop
manual
applicable types
applicable types
ENGLISH
REDUCTION CASE OIL (applicable types)
Recommended Oil
Oil Level Check
Oil Level Check
2 : 1 Reduction Case With Centrifugal Clutch
Oil Change
WASHER
OIL LEVEL
DRAIN PLUG
OIL FILLER CAP/
DIPSTICK
UPPER LIMIT
OIL FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK
LOWER LIMIT
OIL FILL HOLE
(bottom edge)
LOWER LIMIT
UPPER LIMIT
OIL FILLER CAP/DIPSTICK
9
Install the oil filler cap/dipstick and tighten securely.
Use the same oil that is recommended for the engine (see page ).
Check the reduction case oil level with the engine stopped and in a
level position.
Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe it clean.
Insert andremove the oil filler cap/dipstick without screwing it
into the filler hole. Check the oil level shown onthe oil filler cap/
dipstick.
If the oil level is low, add the recommended oil to reach the
upper limit mark on the dipstick.
Screw in the oil filler cap/dipstick and tighten securely.
Check the engine oil level with the engine stopped and ina level
position.
Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe it clean.
Insert the oil filler cap/dipstick into the oil filler neck as shown,
but do not screw it in, then remove it to check the oil level.
Reinstall the oil filler cap/dipstick.
If the oil level is near or below the lower limit mark onthe
dipstick, fill with the recommended oil (see page ) to the
upper limit mark (bottom edge of the oil fill hole). Do not overfill.
Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine damage.
This type of damage is not covered by the
Distributor’s Limited
Warranty.
The Oil Alertsystem (applicable types) will automatically stop
the engine before the oil level falls below the safe limit.
However, to avoid the inconvenience of an unexpected
shutdown, fill to the upper limit, and check the oil level regularly.
Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine
damage. This type of damage is not coveredby the
Distributor’s
Limited Warranty.
With the engine in a level position, fill with the recommended oil
(see page ) to the upper limit mark (bottomedge of the oil fill
hole) on the dipstick.
Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible
with the environment. We suggest you take used oil ina sealed
container to your local recyclingcenter or service station for
reclamation. Do not throw it in the trash, pour it on the ground,
or pour it down a drain.
Allow the used oil todrain completely, then reinstall the oil drain
plug and new washer, and tighten the oil drain plug securely.
Place a suitable container below the engine to catch the used oil,
then remove the oil filler cap/dipstick, oil drain plug andwasher.
Drain the used oil whenthe engine is warm. Warm oil drains
quickly and completely.
The Oil Alertsystem (applicable types) will automatically stopthe
engine before the oil level falls belowthe safe limit. However, to
avoid the inconvenience of an unexpected shutdown, always
check the engine oil level before startup.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3.
4.
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2.
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3.
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