"Honda GX Series Engines have long been recognized as the industry leader in providing reliable, easy-starting and fuel efficient small engines. You'll find GX Series overhead valve engines on a wide variety of construction, maintenance and premium power equipment. The rental industry, where power equipment is subjected to the ultimate test of durability, relies heavily on Honda OHV engines to ensure customer satisfaction and a minimal level of maintenance and repair."

The above quote was taken from the GX series engine sales brochure. It pretty well sums up the state of there engines at the present time. Honda pioneered the GX slant cylinder overhead valve technology. The design has proven very good and a necessity in modern day engines in order to keep up with current emission standards mandated by the US government. This design has proven itself over time and in hard tested commercial applications. Honda now makes engines in two categories - Commercial grade and Consumer grade. We will discuss both types of Honda General Engines (GPE) below.

The GX series single cylinder OHV engine design introduced in 1983 is the flagship of there line. This engine was very efficient then and required only minor modifications to meet the current EPA emission standards. Many of you will recognize the engine in the picture if you have been in rental yards, construction sites or seen commercial lawn care trucks driving by. This engine is used on many applications where a long life, easy starting engine is required. The GX single cylinder comes in many sizes and configurations from 1.1hp to 13hp in both horizontal and vertical crankshafts. The OHC design GX100 3hp engine is also included in the GX series, along with the Mini 4-stroke at 1.1hp, 1.5hp and 2.5hp. Also included is the iGX440-15hp, a new generation of intelligent computer-controlled general purpose engines. I have listed some of the premium features found on the GX engines below:

Recently introduced, the new GC line of engines is designed with the homeowner in mind. These engines were not designed for the rigorous demands of all day commercial use like the GX, but rather are for the consumer who needs a quick starting, fuel efficient, quiet engine that will be used weekly, instead of daily. The GC engines use some new technologies that our borrowed from Honda's experience in automotive and motorcycles. The GC uses uniblock, overhead camshaft construction. But unlike many of the OHC engines of today, Honda uses an internal timing belt. This design allows a lower profile for the engine and keeps dirt from building up on the belt and timing gears. The belt is designed to last the life of the engine. From experience I can tell you this is a very simple engine to work on. This engine is also being made in a GS series, which contains such items as a cast iron sleeve cylinder and dual element air filter.

The GC series single cylinder engines include 5hp to 6.5hp in horizontal and vertical crankshafts. These engines include the features listed below:

Honda's engine line also includes two cylinder OHV V-twin engines in both the GX horizontal and GXV vertical engines. The GX series OHV comes in 18/20/24hp in horizontal and vertical crankshafts. The GXV vertical also has a 16hp engine.

I have listed the features of the GX V-twin OHV engines below:

This image is to help you supply the correct Honda Engine ID numbers if you need parts or information for your Honda engine. You will need to supply a model, type and serial number to correctly identify the engine. The ID numbers/letters should appear similar to these on the engine block shown. This a model GX110, type QX, serial 1473722. Keep in mind you need all three to properly identify your engine. The model code may also be four letters/numbers. The type will be two/four letters/numbers with the * being used as fillers. Keep in mind many parts on Honda General Purpose engines are different then Honda Power Equipment engines, so GPE parts may not fit your Honda built pump, generator or mower.

The Honda GPE USA website now has parts lists available. The Honda GPE Europe website also has information about Honda engines that may be of interest. You may also purchase paper service manuals for engines sold in the USA through this link here. Honda dealers can no longer sell paper service manuals. All their service information is available to them on a CD, which is available only to Honda dealers.

Honda General Purpose Engines are an important product line for Precise Engine Repair. We look forward to representing this fine line of Japanese engines. The Honda name is recognized worldwide as a quality product. We hope this information has been helpful to you. For additional information we suggest you visit the Honda GPE USA website. If your need is to buy some genuine Honda engine parts, then visit the Honda section of our WebStore.