Bought a new piece of equipment powered by a Honda GS 190? Here’s what you need to know to get it running and address any problems along the way.

Before Starting

1. Make sure there’s fuel inside the fuel tank.
2. Check the oil level. Remove the dipstick from the filler cap, wipe off any oil, and reinsert it without screwing it back into the engine. The oil should come up above the bottom mark on the stick.
3. Inspect the air filter. To get to it, open up the air cleaner housing by pushing in the tabs on the side of the cover.
4. Check the equipment for fluid leaks, loose bolts, and other potential issues.

Lever Locations

Honda makes several versions of this engine with different ways of making adjustments to the fuel, air, and ignition. All models have a choke, but the other levers may be missing depending on the version you own.

The choke handle is a large metal loop located to the right of the fuel filler neck.

The throttle lever is painted gray and is located just below the choke. Some equipment will use a remote throttle, usually located on the handle.

On some fixed throttle versions, a red ignition switch lever will be mounted below the choke handle. Other fixed throttle models have an engine stop switch, a knob to the right of the choke.

Starting and Stopping

Manual Choke & Throttle

Starting:

1. Pull the choke rod out to CHOKE.
2. Move the throttle lever to SLOW.
3. Pull the starter grip gently until resistance is felt, then give it a quick pull.
4. Set the throttle to the desired speed, then push the choke rod to OPEN once the engine is warm.

Stopping:

1. Move the throttle lever to SLOW and let the engine idle for a few seconds.
2. Move the throttle lever to STOP.

Manual Choke, Fixed Throttle, and Ignition Switch Lever

Starting:

1. Pull the choke rod out to CHOKE.
2. Move the ignition switch to ON.
3. Pull the starter grip gently until resistance is felt, then give it a quick pull.
4. Push the choke rod to OPEN once the engine is warm.

Stopping:

1. Move the ignition switch to OFF.

Manual Choke, Engine Stop Switch, and Fixed Throttle

Starting:

1. Pull the choke rod out to CHOKE.
2. Move the engine stop switch to ON.
3. Pull the starter grip gently until resistance is felt, then give it a quick pull.
4. Push the choke rod to OPEN once the engine is warm.

Stopping:

1. Move the engine stop switch to OFF.

Troubleshooting

Engine Won’t Start

• Make sure the choke is ON.
• Make sure the engine stop switch or ignition switch is ON.
• Check the oil level. A low level can trigger the Oil Alert system, included with some versions of this engine.
• Check the fuel tank. There should be fresh gasoline inside.
• Check the spark plug. If it’s wet with fuel, dry it off and reinstall it. Try starting the engine with the choke set to OFF and the throttle set to FAST to avoid flooding.
• Have the engine looked at by a service center.

Engine Lacks Power

• Check the air filter. If it’s dirty, clean out any dust by tapping the grid and paper element against a hard surface. The foam element should be cleaned by washing it in soap and water, then, once it’s dry, soaking it in clean motor oil and squeezing out any excess. If any part of the filter is damaged, replace it.
• The fuel may be bad. Drain the tank and carburetor and add fresh fuel.
• Have the engine looked at by a service center.

Where to Get Parts for Your Honda GS 190

www.hondalawnparts.com is a certified Honda small engine equipment dealer, and we can ship the parts you need to any address in the U.S. and Canada. Our site has factory diagrams and descriptions built into the search engine, so it’s easy to find anything you need for you motor from spark plugs to starter cords.