- Honda
- |
- Powersports
- |
- Power Equipment
- |
- Marine
- Home
- |
- Find a Dealer
- |
- Home
- Why
- Overhead Cam Design
- Overhead Valve Design
- Technology
Why Honda?
There are many reasons to insist on genuine Honda engines. Reasons like less down time. Lower costs of ownership. Better performance. And a whole lot more:
Experience counts.
As the world’s largest engine manufacturer, Honda offers more engine experience than anyone. Experience born on racetracks and roadways around the globe. Experience that keeps us on the cutting edge of engine performance technology.
We’ve got a well-earned reputation for our engine quality and performance. When you choose a Honda engine, or a product powered by Honda, you know what you’re getting. An engine you can count on, now and in the future.
Superior Performance
Better fuel efficiency. Higher power output. Quieter performance. Easier to use. No matter how you define superior engine performance, Honda engines set the standard.
What’s our secret? Best in class engineering and technology. From our amazingly compact mini 4-stroke engines to the intelligent power of our iGX series, Honda engines are truly built like no other.
Learn more about Honda engine technology.
Superior reliability and quality. Guaranteed.
Honda sets the standard for reliable, hard-working engines. Our engines are built with high-quality components designed for optimum performance in the harshest environments.
But don’t just take our word for it. Honda stands behind our engines with an industry-leading three year commercial warranty on all GX engines, 100cc and larger.
Or ask a Honda engine owner. Next time you visit a rental center, see a landscape truck, or pass by a construction site, you’ll probably see a Honda GX engine-powered piece of equipment. Stop and ask them what they think of the Honda engine. Chances are they’ll tell you they wouldn’t use anything else.
Legendary easy starting
Honda engines are renowned for being easy to start, consistently. From our unique automatic mechanical decompression system to heavy duty recoil ropes to more advanced variable ignition timing, our engines are designed with quick, easy starts in mind.
Nationwide parts and service support
Honda understands the importance of getting you back to work quickly. Honda has a vast nationwide support network of over 14,000 dealers.
From parts to service, Honda engine dealers are there to assist you whenever and wherever you need it. Find a Honda engine dealer.
Investment In America
Nearly 75 percent of Honda power products sold in America are produced using domestic and globally sourced parts at the Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing, Inc. (HPE) facility in Swepsonville, North Carolina.
The superior choice for manufacturers
Hundreds of OEMs trust Honda to power their products for instant credibility. Learn more
Auto Choke System
Honda’s Auto Choke System This user-friendly system is truly automatic, eliminating any manual manipulation of levers.
The engine starts easily whether cold or hot and is ready to use immediately. Once the engine is up and running, the Auto Choke automatically returns to an optimal operating position.
Automatic Mechanical Decompression System
All engines
Honda’s automatic mechanical decompression system is designed to give you quicker, easier starts.
This system, which is connected to the camshaft, reduces compression by opening the exhaust valve slightly when the engine is being started. This reduces the amount of force needed to start the engine and improves starting performance.
The system disengages automatically after the engine starts to prevent any power loss during normal operation.
Belt-driven OHC design
Mini 4-Stroke Series
In addition to the milder operating noise of 4-Stroke engines in general, the Mini 4-Stroke’s belt-driven OHC design further reduces unpleasant mechanical noise. Its lighter piston and other moving parts help keep vibration to a comfortable level.
CAN Bus Communication
SAE J1939 CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) communication functionality provides ECU (Electronic Control Unit) connectivity with less wiring. It enables a variety of complicated electronic controls to be linked to improve operability.
Compact combustion chamber, overhead cam design, and uniblock construction
GC series, GS series
A truly innovative combination of a compact combustion chamber, overhead cam configuration and uniblock construction significantly reduces fuel and oil consumption as compared to conventional side-valve engines.
Honda’s simple design has made the GC and GS Series lighter and more compact than any engine in their class. Plus, simple construction has minimized the number of parts, making the engine more reliable and easier to operate.
Controller Area Network
SAE J1939 CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) communication functionality provides ECU (Electronic Control Unit) connectivity with less wiring. It enables a variety of complicated electronic controls to be linked to improve operability.
Cycloflow™
Honda Cycloflow™ technology enhances the air-fuel mixture and makes it easier to start the engine and idle smoothly while making it more resilient to poor quality fuel.
New V-shaped valves and a pent-roof combustion chamber enable air in cylinder to flow more smoothly and maximizes the mixing of fuel. The longer stroke design also enhances turbulence in the cylinder, helping the mixture of air and fuel.
Drive By Wire
Drive-By-Wire unlike conventional models, has no throttle cable. An ECU controls a throttle motor via an electrical signal. Ideal throttle control is possible, from conventional type user-operated throttle control, to a variety of automatic control by the ECU.
Electronic Fuel Injection
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), which detects the state of the engine using sensors supplies the optimum amount of fuel to the engine according to its working conditions. EFI Improves fuel economy, reduces exhaust gas, and achieves excellent usability and easy maintenance.
Electronic Fuel Injection Starting
Electronic Fuel Injection eliminates the need for a manual choke, making starting simple. In addition, starting is improved as the fuel is sealed within the injector and fuel hose reducing fuel deterioration, and making smooth engine startup possible even after long-term storage.
Electronic Governor
iGX Series
The electronic governor minimizes governor droop. This increases available power.
For most normal engines, available power is decreased when the engine is approaching wide open throttle.
The iGX’s advanced electronic governor eliminates this by electronically controlling the throttle to achieve a higher effective power output.
Engine diagnosis
Engine diagnosis utilizes Dr. H. software, linked via USB to tablet or PC for quick repairs.
Fuel Off
The new integrated Fuel-Off position on the engine control allows the user to stop the flow of fuel to the engine when pressure washing is complete.
How does it work - With the engine running and the switch placed in the Fuel-Off position, the fuel flow to the carburetor is stopped. The engine will continue to run until the majority of fuel remaining in the carburetor is consumed and the engine shuts down.
Using the Fuel Off feature when shutting your pressure washer down helps prevent sticky carburetor buildup which makes for cleaner storage and easier future starting.
Full 360 "any-side-up" operation
Mini 4-Stroke Series
The innovative design of Honda’s Mini 4-Stroke engines allows them to be used and stored in any position for full 360° usability. Upright, sideways, even upside down – the Mini 4-Strokes will still run great.
An exclusive Honda rotary-slinger lubrication system keeps oil in a completely misted state and circulates it using pressure fluctuations generated by the movement of the piston.
Built-in passages effectively return the circulated oil to the oil reservoir from every part of the engine. An oil return port positioned in the center of the reservoir prevents oil from accidentally flowing into the combustion chamber.
Approximately half the operating cost of comparable 2-stroke engines
Mini 4-Stroke Series
Efficient 4-Stroke technology not only offers superior fuel economy, it also requires no mixing of oil in the engine’s fuel supply. This substantially reduces both oil consumption and the emission of unburned oil in the exhaust.
The results include better all-around environmental performance and operating costs that actually decrease the more the engine is used!
Hemispherical Combustion Chamber
V-twin Series
Honda’s hemispherical combustion chamber was inspired by our proven racing technology. It offers the highest V-Twin compression ratio on the market.
The power is transmitted through forged-steel connecting rods and a forged-steel crankshaft, supported by a full-pressure lubrication system.
- 9.3:1 compression ratio generates tremendous power.
- Excellent combustion efficiency.
- Allows a radial configuration to create high volumetric efficiency.
- Places the spark plug near the center of the chamber for optimal flame travel.
This means increased engine efficiency and more power to your application.
High Capacity Oil Pump
V-Twin Series
The lubrication system uses a high capacity pump with discrete chambers. This facilitates consistent oil delivery.
The high output oil pump offers numerous benefits:
- Twice the capacity of the previous model
- Redesigned pump cover and sealing system ensure engine reliability
- Full pressure lubrication to the flywheel, PTO, and connecting-rod bearings
The result?
- Reduced friction
- Extended engine life
- Less mechanical engine noise
Integrated Cylinder and Head
V-twin Series
The idea of integrating the cylinder & head into one unit is radical. Radically smart. It eliminates the head gasket, head bolts, and allows for more airflow and better cooling.
Speaking of cooling, improved cooling means better combustion management. Cooling is also improved by each of the lightweight aluminum pushrods being housed in a separate tube to achieve enhanced airflow.
When you put it all together (with fewer parts) you get an engine with reduced emissions and greater-than-ever durability.
Integrated ECU (electronic control unit) with a self-tuning regulator (STR) governor
iGX Series
Honda iGX engines feature an integrated ECU (electronic control unit) with a self-tuning regulator (STR) governor system.
The innovative ECU monitors and controls engine functions including Throttle, Choke, Ignition Timing, and Oil Alert. On some models, it also offers programmable governor and throttle modes for unprecedented flexibility. A diagnostic LED helps with trouble shooting. Stepper motors precisely control throttle and choke position.
This allows the engine to communicate with the machine it is powering.
- Operation is automated
- Control becomes surer, faster and easier.
- Enables drive-by-wire remote control operation of the engine, regulating functions such as starting, throttle, ignition timing and diagnostics.
- Engine speed can be programmed and varied based on the equipment application's load and speed requirement.
- Easier for inexperienced users to operate
- Easily maintained - Ideal for rental applications
LED indicator
Control panel mounted LED indicator informs the user about potential problems using 10 different trouble codes. The indicator is designed to stop the engine, or alert the operator of potential issues, helping to protect and extend engine life.
Lifetime Timing Belt Design
GC series, GS series
Honda’s GC and GS engines use the world’s first small engine internal timing belt, designed to last the lifetime of the engine.
Small engine timing belts are usually external and are subject to wear caused by dirt. Honda’s internal timing belt runs in oil, eliminating the need for conventional drive gears.
This design:
- Improves lubrication,
- Reduces the weight of the engine, and
- Provides quieter operation.
Oil Alert
GX series, V-twin series, iGX series
Honda’s Oil Alert system helps to prevent engine seizure due to a low oil condition.
The system consists of an oil level sensor inside the crankcase. When the oil reaches a level that is too low for safe operation, the engine warns you or stops automatically.
Over Head Valve
Honda’s All-New GCV pressure washer engines offer an overhead valve (OHV) layout. The OHV design, new V-shaped valves and a pent-roof shape of combustion chamber enable air in cylinder to flow more smoothly increasing combustion efficiency, allowing for higher compression ratios and greater power output.
The OHV layout, with enhanced valve positioning and combustion chamber, the new GCV170 pumps out an increase in torque of 18 percent and a nine percent horsepower gain over the GCV160; GCV200: also showed a strong increase in torque of 13 percent and 10 percent horsepower gain over the GCV190
Self Tuning Regulator
STR Governor (Self Tuning Regulator) minimizes engine droop seen with traditional mechanical governor systems by electronically regulating the throttle opening to maintain constant, stable engine speed even under changing load conditions, resulting in exceptional performance and enhanced user satisfaction.
Variable Timing Digital CDI Ignition
GX240-390, V-Twin series, iGX series
Honda’s Variable Timing Digital CDI ignition allows optimal ignition timing based on engine speed. The result:
- Excellent starting,
- High power output,
- Reduced fuel consumption, and
- Outstanding emissions performance.
An engine rev limiter is also incorporated to prevent over-revving.
Small Engines Models
Parts
Why Honda
Support & Service
OEM Support
Company