Frequently Asked Questions

Product and Technical Information

Honda engines are developed, tested and certified with petroleum based motor oils as a lubricant. Synthetic oils may be used; however, any motor oil used in our engines must meet all oil requirements as stated in the owner’s manual. In addition, recommended oil change intervals must be followed.

Please see your owner's manual for detailed instructions for your specific model.

Find an owner’s manual.

As the name implies, overhead cam (OHC) engines have their camshafts positioned in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. Valves are located in the roof of the combustion chamber (instead of at the side) to offer the same combustion-related advantages as OHV engines.

The OHC layout builds on these advantages by reducing the number of valvetrain components and allowing them to be lighter and stronger, thereby making the engine more compact and lightweight overall.
OHC Layout

OHV stands for “overhead valve.” Intake and exhaust valves are located above the combustion chamber for superior efficiency, performance and durability.
OHV Layout

Honda engines are designed and certified to run on regular unleaded gasoline containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10).

Gasoline is allowed, by regulation, to contain a variety of additives. The same regulation limits how much of some additives, such as alcohol, can be included in the fuel and still allow it to be sold as gasoline. If you look in a Honda product owner’s manual, you will see that a maximum of 10% ethanol is allowed (other oxygenates are also listed). Honda engines are designed for good performance and efficient operation using gasoline containing from 0 to 10% ethanol.

E85, a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, has been in the news recently. E85 is an alternative fuel; it is not gasoline. Honda engines are not certified or designed to run on E85 or any other alternative fuel.

Always refer to the owner’s manual for your Honda to get a list of recommended fuel and the current approved additives.

For more information, see our Fuel Recommendations page.

Download or print a handout on how to avoid fuel-related problems for your Honda general purpose engine here.

If you purchased a new piece of equipment and are missing parts or manuals, you need to contact your selling dealer.

Used, pre-owned or reconditioned products are sold as is. Any damaged or missing parts are the responsibility of the buyer or the retailer, not American Honda Motor Co.

If you have further questions, you may contact our Customer Relations office at 770-497-6400.

Please see your owner's manual for specific recommendations based on engine model and ambient temperature.

Find an owner’s manual.

Manuals and Brochures

Owner's Manuals for General Purpose Engines can be downloaded from our website.  Find an owner's manual.

To find the proper owner's manual, please have the full model name of the Honda engine. This model name will always start with a "G". Some common examples would be GC160, GXV135, GX340.  Find your model and serial number location here.

These items are available to purchase from:

Please note: materials are for engines sold in the USA, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands only. Non-U.S. customers can find a local distributor here.

To order, you will need to know the model name and serial number of your engine. Find your model and serial number here.

You can purchase Parts Catalogs through your local Honda engine dealer. An online parts catalog is also available here.

Parts and Service

For U.S. Customers:
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am – 6 pm EST
Phone #: 770-497-6400
Address:
Honda Power Equipment
Attn: Customer Relations
4900 Marconi Drive
Alpharetta, GA 30005-8847

Information we need when you contact our Customer Relations Office:

  • Your name and address
  • Owner’s name and address if different from above
  • Full Model Name and serial number   Find your serial number location
  • Date of Purchase
  • Selling Dealer
  • Description of problem

For assistance in Canada:
Honda Canada
715 Scarborough
Ontario M1B 2K8
CANADA
Toll-Free – 1-888-9HONDA (1-888-946-6329)
Toronto area only – (416) 299-3400
www.honda.ca

For all other countries:
Please see world.honda.com to find your local distributor.

U.S. consumers can find an engine dealer here

For service in Canada, please contact Honda of Canada Customer Relations:
Honda Canada
715 Scarborough
Ontario M1B 2K8
CANADA
Toll-Free – 1-888-9HONDA (1-888-946-6329)
Toronto area only – (416) 299-3400
www.honda.ca

For all other countries, please see world.honda.com to find your local distributor.

You can order parts by contacting an authorized engine dealer in your area.
Find an engine dealer

You can also order parts online through Honda’s site. All orders are sold and fulfilled by Honda dealers and distributors

Please contact your local Honda Engine dealer for inspection and repair.
Find an engine dealer

American Honda does not manufacture pressure washers. However, we do manufacture Honda engines used by some pressure washer manufacturers.

If you are having problems with the pressure washer, contact the manufacturer of the pressure washer.

If you have having problems with the engine, contact a local engine dealer.

Warranty

Your warranty is based upon when your Honda engine was originally sold.

You can find a copy of the engine warranty here, by contacting your selling dealer, or through Honda Power Equipment Customer Relations at 770-497-6400.

General purpose engines carry an international warranty. If you have a question regarding this type of warranty, please contact the regional engine distributor or contact Honda Power Equipment Customer Relations at 770-497-6400.

If you are in a country outside the United States, contact the Honda distributor in that country by going to world.honda.com

You may take your Honda engine to any authorized Honda Engine dealer in the United States that carries your particular product line for warranty repairs. When taking your product in for warranty service, you must provide proof of purchase.

*General Purpose Engines (engines installed on non-Honda equipment) carry an international warranty so country of origin or country where sold does not exclude warranty coverage.

General