Honda GX640 Owner's Manual
HONDA
ENGINES
OWNER’S MANUAL
GX640
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
31ZG8611
00X31-ZG8-6110 ~
0 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1995
1
@) PRINTED IN JAPAN
c9 0
5009704
Thank you for purchasing a Honda engine. We want to help you
get the best results from your new engine and to operate it safely.
This manual contains the information on how to do that; please
read it carefully.
This manual covers the operation and maintenance of GX640
engines and is based on the SD4 Type.
All information in this publication is based on the latest product
information available at the time of printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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 it if it is resold.
It is illegal in some areas to operate an engine without a USDAqualified spark arrester. Check local laws and regulations. An
optional spark arrester for this engine is available from authorized
Honda servicing dealers.
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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 ot ers. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert
symbol . and one of three words: DANGER, WARNING, or
CAUTION.
These words mean:
P;
B You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you
don’t follow instructions.
m
m
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you
don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
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:
piEq
The purpose of these messages is to help prevent damage to your
engine, other property, or the environment.
Your engine or other property could be damaged if
you don’t follow instructions.
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1. ENGINE SAFETY
l Honda engines are designed to give safe and dependable
service if operated according to instructions. Read and understand this Owner’s Manual before operating the engine. Failure
to do so could result in personal injury or equipment damage.
l To prevent fire hazards and to provide adequate ventilation,
keep the engine at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from building
walls and other equipment during operation. Do not place
flammable objects close to the engine.
l Do not allow children to operate the engine. Keep children and
pets away from the area of operation.
l Know how to stop the engine quickly, and understand the
operation of all controls. Never permit anyone to operate the
engine without proper instructions.
l Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain
conditions.
- Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Do
not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area where the
engine is refueled or where gasoline is stored.
- Do not overfill the fuel tank (there should be no fuel in the
filler neck). After refueling, make sure the tank cap is closed
properly and securely.
l Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Spilled fuel or fuel
vapor may ignite. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry
before starting the engine.
l Exhaust gas contains poisonous carbon monoxide. Avoid
inhalation of exhaust gas. Never run the engine in a closed
garage or confined area.
l The muffler becomes very hot during operation and remains hot
for a while after stopping the engine. Be careful not to touch the
muffler while it is hot. Let the engine cool before storing it
indoors.
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ENGINE OIL
IR CLEANER
E SERIAL NUMBER
RADIATOR
SPARK PLUGS
RADIATOR
SCREEN
OIL DRAIN PLUG
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3. PRE-OPERATION CHECK
RADIATOR SCREEN and RADIATOR CORE
1. Allow the radiator to cool, then remove the screen from the front
of the radiator.
2. Clean debris from the screen and radiator core.
3. Reinstall the radiator screen.
RADIATOR SCREEN
CORE
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ENGINE OIL
p5YZE-J
l
Engine oil is a major factor affecting engine performance and service
life. Nondetergent oils and 2-stroke engine oils are not recommended
because they have inadequate lubricating characteristics.
l
Check the oil level with the engine on a level surface and the engine
stopped.
Use 4-stroke motor oil that meets or
exceeds the requirements for API service
classification SF or SG. Always check the
API SERVICE label on the oil container to
be sure it includes the letters SF or SG. SAE
1 OW-30 is recommended for general use.
Other viscosities shown in the chart may be
used when the average temperature in your
area is within the indicated range.
Oil Level Check
Check the oil level with the engine stopped and level.
Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Fully insert the dipstick, then remove it to check the oil level.
If the oil level is near or below the lower limit mark on the dipstick,
remove the oil filler cap, and fill with the recommended oil to the upper
limit mark.
Reinstall the dipstick and filler cap.
-p -~ -‘O o x, 2o g &
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
4
ENGINE OIL
UPPER LIMIT
LOWER LIMIT
DIPSTICK
l--iEGl
Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine damage.
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FUEL
Use unleaded gasoline with a pump octane rating of 86 or higher.
This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. Unleaded
gasoline produces fewer engine and spark plug deposits and
extends exhaust system life.
Gasoline is highly flammable and
explosive, and you can be burned or
seriously injured when refueling.
l Stop engine and keep heat, sparks,
and flame away.
l Refuel only outdoors.
l Wipe up spills immediately.
Fuel can damage paint and some types of plastic. Be careful not to
spill fuel when filling your fuel tank. Damage caused by spillied fuel
is not covered under warranty.
Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oil/fuel mixture.
Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.
Occasionally you may hear light “spark knock” or “pinging” (metallic
rapping noise) while operating under heavy loads. This is no cause
for concern.
If spark knock or pinging occurs at a steady engine speed, under
normal load, change brands of gasoline. If spark knock or pinging
persists, see an authorized Honda servicing dealer.
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1 NOTICE ]
Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging can
cause engine damage.
Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging is
misuse, and the Distributor’s Limited Warranty does not cover parts
damaged by misuse.
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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 Sates and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce
emissions.
If you use an oxygenated fuel, be sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Before using an oxygenated fuel, try to confirm the fuel’s contents.
Some states/provinces require this information to be posted on the
pump.
The following are the EPA approved percentages of oxygenates:
ETHANOL
MTBE
METHANOL
If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or performance problems resulting from the
use of an oxygenated fuel containing more than the percentages of
oxygenates mentioned above are not covered under warranty.
-(ethyl or grain alcohol) 10% by volume
You may use gasoline containing up to 10%
ethanol by volume. Gasoline containing ethanol
may be marketed under the name “Gasohol”.
-(methyl tertiary butyl ether) 15% by volume
You may use gasoline containing up to 15% MTBE
by volume.
-(methyl or wood alcohol) 5% by volume
You may use gasoline containing up to 5% methanol by volume as long as it also contains
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors to protect the
fuel system. Gasoline containing more than 5%
methanol by volume may cause starting and/or
performance problems. It may also damage metal,
rubber, and plastic parts of your fuel system.
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