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You may have noticed already that a good amount of air compressors use Honda engines to power them, and maybe you’ve seen it described in the compressors model name. Honda gas-powered air compressors are some of the most popular available on the market due to their quality and reliability.
This article will provide you with all the relevant information on Honda engines and Honda gas compressors, including the various types of engines & examples of them on Amazon.
Table of Contents
- Honda Powered Air Compressor Information
- Honda Engines for Air Compressors
- Honda Powered Air Compressor Examples
- Honda Powered Air Compressor Troubleshooting, Problems & Fixes
- Honda Powered Air Compressor Replacement Parts
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Honda Powered Air Compressor Information
There’s quite a lot of confusion around Honda powered air compressors, in that some people think they’re Honda air compressors when in fact, they’re made by a different manufacturer but use a Honda engine.
Honda is one of the biggest suppliers of small engines in gas powered air compressors. They provide just the singular component in a very complex system, and so, the compressor in which they power should go by it’s manufacturers name, not Honda. Nevertheless, the engine is a very visible, recognizable and important component, which leads to these compressors being labelled Honda powered air compressors.
For more information on gas-powered air compressors, visit our Ultimate Guide to Gas Air Compressors here!
Honda Engines for Air Compressors
Honda is one of North America’s most popular small engine suppliers, if not the most popular. Why? Because they have a significantly good reputation for providing great product life-span as well as backing their products with a three year warranty, which is a lot more than other engine manufacturers like Briggs & Stratton or Kohler.
Manufacturers love using Honda engines because they boast great reliability and durability with powerful performance. They are relatively quick and easy to start up and don’t create a lot of noise, which can be a concern with gas-powered air compressors. Another great benefit of Honda engines is their fuel efficiency, which tends to be greater than their competitors.
Different Types of Honda Engines
When it comes to the types of Honda engines that air compressor manufacturers use, it will typically be within the GX series, a range of bright red commercial engines that utilize a horizontal crankshaft. These engines vary in size, weight, compression ratio, ignition, oil capacity, and governor and starting systems amongst more. This allows manufacturers to pick the perfect engine for their compressor.
All the engines within the GX series use unleaded 86 octane or higher fuel which is very easy to source at every gas station across North America. The key difference between each Honda engine in the GX series is their horsepower rating and torque. The comparison table below, as per the Honda gx series engine section on their website, will help you understand that the higher the GX series number, the higher the HP, and the more likely the compressor using this engine is to generate higher CFM outputs.
| Honda Engine | Horsepower Rating (@ 3,600 RPM) | Torque Rating (@ 2,500 RPM) |
|---|---|---|
| GX100 | 2.8 hp (2.1 kW) | 4.2 lb-ft (5.7 Nm) |
| GX120 | 3.1 hp (2.3 kW) | 4.6 lb-ft (6.3 Nm) |
| GX160 | 4.3 hp (3.2 kW) | 7.1 lb-ft (9.6 Nm) |
| GX200 | 5.8 hp (4.3 kW) | 9.1 lb-ft (12.4 Nm) |
| GX240 | 7.9 hp (5.9 kW) | 13.4 lb-ft (18.3 Nm) |
| GX270 | 8.4 hp (6.3 kW) | 14.1 lb-ft (19.1 Nm) |
| GX340 | 10.7 hp (8.0 kW) | 19.5 lb-ft (26.4 Nm) |
| GX390 | 11.7 hp (8.7 kW) | 19.5 lb-ft (26.5 Nm) |
Honda Powered Air Compressor Examples
If you haven’t come across them already, let me provide you with some examples of air compressors available on Amazon that are powered by Honda engines.
This Metabo HPT gas powered air compressor is a great example that uses a Honda GX160 engine to power itself. The compressor has an 8-gallon tank and is capable of providing 9.5 CFM at 90 PSI.
- ENGINE: Honda GX 160 engine delivers reliable and rugged performanceENGINE: Honda GX 160 engine delivers reliable and rugged performance
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Ingersoll Rand wheelbarrow type air compressor below utilizes a Honda GX390 engine in order to provide 11.5 CFM of compressed air at 90 PSI, with an 8-gallon storage tank.
- Portable Design: Lightweight with excellent manueverability even on the roughest terrain, perfect for environments where electricity is unavailable
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Here’s another great example of a NorthStart portable gas powered air compressor that also uses a Honda GX390 engine. This compressor has a 30-gallon tank and is capable of providing 24.4 CFM at 90 PSI.
- Honda GX390 OHV engine with electric start/recoil backup and low oil shutdown
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Honda Powered Air Compressor Troubleshooting, Problems & Fixes
Although Honda engines are associated with great reliability and warranty, just like any part or component of an air compressor system, eventually they will cease effective operation due to wear and tear. This can be down to a number of different reasons. And so, I have picked out a few useful YouTube demonstrations on Honda Engine problems to help you.
This first video provides the following:
- How to remove the air filter and how to test the fuel system using starting fluid.
- How to do a compression test and standard PSI values on newer GX engines with compression release.
- How to test the electrical switches: Kill switch, low oil switch and low oil alert sensor.
- How to check resistance on the ignition coil primary and secondary wire, as well as the spark plug resistance.
- How to inspect the ignition coil behind the front engine cover.
And this applies not only to the Honda GX200 engine but also the GX120, GX160 & GX220.
Here’s another great YouTube demonstration on a Honda engine not starting. A lot of comments from viewers describe how they have applied these steps to their GX series Honda engines, and successfully got them back up and running!
The general tips advised for checking your GX series honda include:
- Check the gas
- Check the on/off switch
- Check spark
- Check the oil level
- Check the carburetor
In most cases, it could simply be down to the carburetor needing cleaned because the engine has been sat around for a while.
Honda Powered Air Compressor Replacement Parts
If you’re looking for replacement parts for your Honda air compressor engine, the best and first thing you should do is contact Honda directly to try and source the part you need. If unsuccessful, you can always turn to Amazon to find OEM replacement parts which have great reviews and are sworn by, by many Honda powered air compressor users.
I have picked out a few examples for you, that are suitable for a number of Honda engines in the GX series.
- Fit for Honda GX340 GX390 13 HP 11HP Engine
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Replace Genuine Air Filter: For Honda part # GX160 GX200 GX140 GX100 GX110 GX120 air filter, model # 17210-ZE1-517 17210-ZE1-505 17210-ZE1-507 17210-ZE1-822 17210-ZE1-821 17210-ZE1-820 element, fit 5 hp, 5.5 hp, 6 hp engine.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Professional Parts: Air filter for Honda 17210-ZE3-505 17210-ZE3-515 17210-ZE3-010 17210-ZE3-000 17218-ZE3-505, Stens 100-012, Oregon 30-417, Rotary 19-7712 air filter. Fits Honda code 5252697 2893907 2107993 5281449 air filter.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
No, Honda do not make air compressors and this is a common misconception. Honda manufacture engines, typically of the GX series, that air compressor manufacturers use to power their systems. Though the engine is a vital component in an air compressor system, it is one of many complicated system components.
If you have any questions regarding Honda-powered air compressors, please leave a comment below, with a photo if applicable so that someone can help you!
