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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a Honda engine. We want to help you to get 
the best results from your new engine and to 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.

SAFETY MESSAGES

Your safety and the safety of others is 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:

Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and 
what you can do to avoid or reduce injury.

DAMAGE PREVENTION MESSAGES

You will also see other important messages that are preceded by the 
word NOTICE.

This word means:

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.

• 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.

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SAFETY MESSAGES   . . . . . . . . . 1
COMPONENT & CONTROL
LOCATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IS YOUR ENGINE
READY TO GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Safe Operating
Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Type 1 Operation   . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Type 2 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Type 3 Operation   . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Oil Alert

®

 System  . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SERVICING YOUR ENGINE . . . . . 4

The Importance of 
Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Maintenance Safety  . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety Precautions  . . . . . . . . . . 4
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 5
Refueling  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Fuel Recommendations . . . . . . 5
ENGINE OIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Recommended Oil. . . . . . . . . . . 5
Oil Level Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Oil Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
AIR CLEANER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Inspection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Spark Plug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Spark Arrester   . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

HELPFUL TIPS & 
SUGGESTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Storing Your Engine . . . . . . . . . 7
Transporting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED 
PROBLEMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TECHNICAL & CONSUMER 
INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Serial Number and Type
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
High Altitude Operation  . . . . . . 9
Oxygenated Fuels   . . . . . . . . . . 9
Emission Control System 
Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Air Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tuneup Specifications  . . . . . . 10
Quick Reference Information . 11
Wiring Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

CONSUMER INFORMATION . . . 11

Honda Publications. . . . . . . . . 11
U.S.A. Distributor’s Limited
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
International Warranty  . . . . . . 11
Emission Control System 
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Distributor/Dealer Locator
Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Customer Service
Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

OWNER’S MANUAL

GS190

31Z2CA00
00X31-Z2C-A000

POM53639

10,000.2003.11

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

EM3

IPC

WARNING:

The engine exhaust from this product 

contains chemicals known to the State 

of California to cause cancer, birth 

defects or other reproductive harm.



DANGER

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY 
HURT if you don't follow instructions.



WARNING

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY 
HURT if you don't follow instructions.



CAUTION

You CAN be HURT if you don't follow 
instructions.

NOTICE

Your engine or other property can be 
damaged if you don’t follow instructions.

© 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.—All Rights Reserved

Summary of Contents for GS190

Page 1: ...ruction before operating the equipment 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 engi...

Page 2: ...PERATION SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS Before operating the engine for the first time please review the SAFETY INFORMATION section on page 1 and the BEFORE OPERATION CHECKS above 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 TYPE 1 MANUAL THROTTLE MANUAL CHOKE Starting A Cold Engi...

Page 3: ...o idle for a few seconds then move the throttle lever to the STOP position TYPE 2 FIXED THROTTLE IGNITION SWITCH LEVER MANUAL CHOKE Starting A Cold Engine 1 Pull the choke rod to the CLOSED position 2 Move the ignition switch lever red to the ON position Some engine applications use a remotely mounted ignition switch rather than the engine mounted ignition switch lever shown here 3 Pull the starte...

Page 4: ...mally 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 Maintenance replacement...

Page 5: ...filler cap dipstick and fill with the recommended oil to the upper limit mark bottom edge of the oil fill hole Do not overfill 5 Reinstall the oil filler cap dipstick Oil Change Drain the engine oil when the engine is warm Warm oil drains quickly and completely 1 Place a suitable container next to the engine to catch the used oil 2 Remove the oil filler cap dipstick and the oil drain plug 3 Allow ...

Page 6: ...he engine will smoke during initial start up if too much oil is left in the foam or the oil could saturate the paper element making the engine inoperable 3 Wipe dirt from the air cleaner body and cover using a moist rag Be careful to prevent dirt from entering the air duct that leads to the carburetor SPARK PLUG Recommended Spark Plug NGK BPR6ES The recommended spark plug is the correct heat range...

Page 7: ...through the air filter or muffler can enter the cylinder causing damage Fuel Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage Deteriorated gasoline will cause hard starting and it leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel system If the gasoline in your engine deteriorates during storage you may need to have the carburetor and other fuel system components serviced or replaced The length of time that g...

Page 8: ... oil during storage preparation the engine will smoke briefly at startup This is normal TRANSPORTING Keep the engine level when transporting to reduce the possibility of fuel leakage TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS WARNING Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive and you can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel Stop engine and keep heat sparks and flame away Refuel only outdoors ...

Page 9: ... your servicing dealer return the carburetor to original factory specifications Oxygenated Fuels Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels To meet clean air standards some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions If you use oxygenated fuel be sure it is ...

Page 10: ...facturer 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 5 Remember that this schedule is based on the assumption that your machin...

Page 11: ...peaking with the Regional Engine Distributor you may contact the Honda Power Equipment Customer Relations Department of American Honda Motor Co Inc Refer to page 12 for contact information Exclusions THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND TO PARTS AFFECTED OR DAMAGED BY THE PRODUCT IN WHICH THE ENGINE IS INSTALLED OR BY ACCIDENT AND OR COLLISION MISUSE NEGLECT PARTS WORN BEYOND SERVICE LIMITS DUE TO NORMAL...

Page 12: ...r repair of your engine may be denied If the part in question is not related to the reason your engine requires repair your claim will not be denied To Obtain Warranty Service You must take your Honda Power Equipment engine or the product on which it is installed along with your warranty registration card or other proof of original purchase date at your expense to any Honda Power Equipment dealer ...

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Page 15: ...NOTES ...

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