The Honda GCV160 is a 160cc, 4.4-horsepower, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine designed for premium residential use. It’s a staple in residential lawn mowers and pressure washers, and is known for its quiet operation and lightweight design. The company packed it with clever features, too, including a compact combustion chamber for better fuel use, a resin cam for durability, and even an internal timing belt for quieter performance.

It also benefits from Honda’s uniblock construction, which helps reduce vibration and improves the overall balance of the engine. All these perks make it no surprise that Honda made it to our list of the most reliable push mower brands ever.

Still, no matter how tough this little engine is, it’s still a machine that needs regular care to perform at its best. Deferring maintenance will lead to sputtering starts, sluggish performance, and eventually, it could lead to full-blown engine failure. Here’s how to keep one humming like new, especially if you’re using it for your mower.

Caring for your GCV160 starts with the small habits. Before each use, check the oil level with the dipstick, and top off with 10W30 or SAE 30 if needed, as recommended by Honda. Keep an eye on the air cleaner, too, as a quick inspection can catch dirt buildup early. Within the first five hours of operation, or after the first month, you’ll want to change the oil and keep doing so every 50 hours or each season. Use the dipstick to confirm the refill lands between the marks, and don’t overfill.

Every 25 hours, also give the air filter a clean, either by tapping it gently or blowing it out with air under 30 psi, but don’t scrub it. Around the 50-hour mark, it’s time to check the spark plug, flywheel brake pad, and go ahead with another oil change. Spark plug maintenance is simple: Remove, inspect for wear or damage, and adjust the gap to 0.028–0.030 inches if reusing. Make sure it sits snugly, using the right torque. All of this keeps your engine humming reliably through regular use.

As you rack up hours on the GCV160, some bigger checkpoints come into play. At the 100-hour mark, check the blade, clutch, brake, and, if your model includes one, the spark arrester. The arrester should be cleaned with a wire brush and swapped out if cracked.

Keep an eye on the flywheel brake shoe thickness too, and let a Honda service center handle replacements if it’s under 3mm. After 150 hours, it’s time to adjust the idle speed and consider replacing the spark plug and air cleaner. If your engine hits 200 hours, those two components should be swapped out entirely. Fuel lines should be checked every two years for cracks or damage.

For off-season storage, run the tank dry or drain it completely to avoid carb issues. Stick to fresh gasoline with no more than 10% ethanol, and never store fuel for longer than 30 days unless stabilized. Battery-powered starters charge while in use, but a max-24-hour charge using a Honda-approved charger is safe.

The bottom line is that if you keep your mower clean, bolts tight, and blades sharp, your GCV160 will keep working as hard as you do. Beyond engine care, avoiding common lawn mower mistakes can go a long way in keeping your entire machine running smoothly season after season.