Honda small engines power thousands of individual machine models in dozens of tool and equipment types. In addition to all the machines that they power, there are also just a lot of Honda small engines in service, period.
The model year of a Honda outboard motor can only be determined by using the serial number through the 2006 model year. Contact a Honda Marine dealer for information on how to determine the model year of Honda outboard motors after the 2006 model year, because Honda stopped using model year designators in the serial number beginning with the 2007 model year. The pictures on the right shows the location of the engine code and engine serial number clearly. Sometimes the identification plate in the engine bay also has the engine code and serial number (together in one line) but for the later generations of Hondas, they are usually left out.
When the time comes to replace a Honda engine's filters, spark plug, or any other part, making a correct engine number match is the key to accurate parts replacement. We explain what Honda small engine owners need to knowto ensure an accurate engine parts matches every time.
Honda Small Engine Number Matching
Two numbers must be found on the engine to ensure an accurate Honda small engine parts match:
1. The engine's model number must be matched, and
2. The engine's VIN number must be matched.We'll use the Karcher pressure washer pictured below as an example of how to find a Honda engine's model and VIN numbers.
This pressure washer is a good example of a Honda small engine in use with another company's tool. The majority of Honda engines in service power the tools and machines of other manufacturers. When Honda engine owners need parts for their small engine, it is very important that the use the engine's model and VIN numbers to match engine parts, not the tool's identifying numbers.For example, using the tool model number of our example pressure washer to search for its engine parts will not be successful. The tool model number will only lead to parts for the Karcher pressure washer, not the engine that powers it.Engine model and VIN numbers must be found on the engine.
Honda Small Engine Model NumbersThe model number is the easy one to find. Honda small engine model numbers are (almost always) very clearly displayed on the front of the engine.
So, 'GC190' is the model number for this Karcher pressure washer's Honda engine.
Honda small engine model numbers always start with one or more letters.Letters at the beginning of Honda model numbers indicate the 'series' to which that engine model belongs. So, the Honda GC190 engine is part of the Honda GC engine series, and '190' is the engine model number in that series. Having the engine's model number is the first step towards an accurate Honda small engine parts match.[Back to top]
Honda Small Engine VIN Numbers
Honda VIN numbers add an extra level of accuracy to engine parts matching. Using both the engine's model and VIN numbers when finding parts for your engine guarantees a match.Unlike their model numbers, Honda engine VIN numbers can be just a bit harder to findand read. A Honda engine's VIN number is stamped somewhere on the engine.Here are some things to know about finding and reading Honda small engine VIN numbers:
Honda Gcv160 Engine Serial Number Location
- It can be stamped almost anywhere on the engine.
- The VIN number will consist of 3 sets of characters that can be both letters and numbers, can be arranged in a variety of ways, and can consist of a few or several characters per number set.
- Honda engine VINs usually start with one or more letters.
- Although they are stamped permanently, Honda VINs are almost always stamped very lightly and in a dot pattern, making them difficult to read.
As you can see, the VIN number is also stamped sideways on the engine. Let's flip that picture around, zoom in, and take a look at the number's legibility.
It's hard to explain exactly what we mean here with just a picture, but you can see that the number is hard to read even with a large, bright, focused photograph.Hint:You can apply a liquid to the stamped VIN number to make it more legible.Applying different liquids to the stamped number can cause the light to hit the impressions a little differently, cause more of a contrast, and make the VIN number more readable. We know it might sound strange, but a little carburetor cleaner seems works best for us. Take a look at the picture of the same Honda engine VIN number below after a little shot of cleaner.
Any liquid will at least improve the VIN number's legibility, including water.
Honda Outboard Engine Serial Number Location
The VIN number on this engine is : GCAAA-1518947-QHAFIt's also possible that the VIN number on your Honda small engine is legible without any assistance. In either case, finding and correctly reading your engine's VIN is absolutely necessary for an accurate parts match.
[Back to top]
Conclusion
Once you have your Honda small engine model number and VIN number, you can type either number into the eReplacementParts.com 'Search by Model Number' field at the top of this page. Your search will take you directly to matching Honda engine parts pages.With accurate number matching, finding the right Honda small engine parts for your machine is made easy with our parts lists and interactive breakdown diagrams.[Back to top]
What we're about.
Honda Atv Engine Serial Number Location
One - Open your owner's manual to the general information section. Here, you'll find detailed information describing the location of the engine serial number.
Two - Look for the serial number on the lower portion of the engine, which is called the crankcase. Newer Honda models (1990 and above) often have it stamped on the rear of the crankcase, usually close to the swing arm pivot point. Older models (earlier than1990) may have it stamped on the lower left or lower right section of the crankcase.
Three - Write the engine serial number down for further reference. The number should be in the following pattern, where X represents a letter, and # represents a number: XX##E - #######. E is a common designation for all engine serial numbers.
Four - Look at the first four digits before the E. These digits represent the motorcycle model number. The last character represents the year of the particular model. Refer to the Honda Motorcycle Model and Engine Code website for a list of these codes (see Resources).
Five - Read the seven digits after the dash. These digits convey information regarding the engine casing. This information is important when ordering engine parts for your specific engine. As motorcycle manufacturers often alter engines within a specific model of motorcycle, this serial number is important.
Six - Tell the Honda service center the engine serial number when ordering parts. This ensures the correct replacement part.