Honda GX160 Engine Oil Capacity

The Honda GX160 engine has an oil capacity of 0.6 liters. These small mechanical engines should have the oil level checked every 50 hours.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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The Honda GX160 is a four-stroke, single-cylinder engine used to power equipment such as generators, tillers, and other various construction equipment. The oil capacity for the Honda GX160 is 0.6 liters. 
So you’ve got a small GX160 running your home generator and you realize it’s time to check and change the oil. It’s not like you can bring the Honda GX160 to an auto mechanic the way you would a Civic, so your best bet is to learn how to accomplish this maintenance task yourself. 
That’s where
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savings app, but it’s also your go-to guide for servicing the motors of smaller machines — like the GX160. In this article, we’ll discuss the GX160’s engine oil capacity, what type of oil you should use, when you should change the oil, and how. And stick around to find out how to save more on your
Honda insurance cost
!

Honda GX160 engine oil capacity

The GX160 engine is small but mighty, with an oil capacity of just 0.6 liters. It is approximately 12 inches long, 13.4 inches wide, and 12.5 high. Rather than utilizing an oil filter the way vehicle engines do, the GX160 employs an air filter.  
When filling your Honda GX160 with oil, take care not to overfill it. Overfilling an engine can cause damage. 

What kind of oil does a Honda GX160 engine need?

It’s not enough to know how much oil your GX160 engine takes—you also need to know what type.
Honda recommends using
SAE 10W-30
engine oil. This oil is ideal for small engines. It has a thicker viscosity that will keep the engine running efficiently in temperatures between 0 and 100 degrees F.  
While it's common for people to use conventional oil in engines for their work equipment, you may want to consider using synthetic oil instead. It’s not much more expensive and is known to circulate better within the engine to keep it at a lower temperature during use. 
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How often to change the oil on a Honda GX160 engine

Once you start using your Honda GX160 engine, you should check its oil and fuel levels after one month, or about 20 hours. From there, you should be able to power your equipment for another six months — or 50 to 100 hours — before needing to change the oil again. 
That being said, make sure you’re paying attention to how your engine behaves while in use. If you hear loud or unfamiliar sounds coming from the engine, look at it right away. The same goes for any obvious changes in the engine’s performance.
If you notice the smell of smoke or burning oil, shut down the equipment immediately.
When engine oil is at its cleanest, it has a honey brown or amber color. As it gets dirtier it will become a darker brown, like the color of cola. If your GX160’s oil is black, change it right away to avoid performance issues.

Honda GX160 engine: how to change the oil

When it’s time to change your Honda GX160 engine oil, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps to get the job done right. First off, make sure you have all of these necessary supplies:
  • Work gloves
  • 10mm six-point socket/ratchet
  • Oil drain pan
Make sure you let the engine cool down before beginning any maintenance. Handling a hot engine can cause injuries. Once the engine’s at a safe temperature, you’re ready to start. Here’s what you need to do:
  • Locate the oil gauge cap assembly on the engine. It should be a small, gray cap. Unscrew the cap. 
  • Pull out the cap and wipe it clean. Dip the cap back into the engine to check the oil level—similar to the way you use a dipstick on a car. Screw the cap back into place. 
  • Locate the oil drain plug at the base of the engine block. Loosen it using your ratchet but remove it by hand. Position the oil drain pan below to catch the draining oil.
  • Once the oil has drained, replace the oil drain plug and tighten it by hand. You can use your ratchet to tighten it to a maximum of 13 lb-ft of torque. If you overtighten it, you could crack the engine block. 
  • Unscrew the oil gauge assembly cap and fill the engine with oil. Check the level using the cap to ensure you’ve added the correct amount. 
That’s all there is to it! Performing regular scheduled maintenance your Honda GX160 engine will have a long life. 

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Now that you’ve serviced your small mechanical engine, take a moment to think about how the engine under the hood of your car is doing. Your car also requires regular maintenance, and it needs a good insurance policy as well.
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