what is the expected service life of a GX270 Honda

[xtxpete]

Hi, I'm wondering what people have experienced in engine life on air cooled gas 9 to 13hp engines? I have one that's used everyday in a moderate demand application and have tried to be somewhat diligent with oil changes every 100 hrs on Syn blend oil or up to 200-300 hrs on full Syn. As has been mentioned oil in general doesn't cause internal damage but rather the lack of it or degraded oil that causes failures. But this puts up the question, how long can I really expect to go?

 

[NoPaint]

A long time. You'll probably replace more carburetors and fuel system parts than rotating parts.

 

[xtxpete]

I have had real good luck so far and besides cleaning the sediment bowl the fuel system has been flawless and it's almost 12yrs in operation! But the key there is that it's used every single day. So yes I agree, it can last a long time but can someone quantify that? I'd like to avoid a major failure due to it being a daily used piece of equipment, but no sense in replacing what still seems to perform reasonably well! Thanks!

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I say, it depends...

The old ones ARE better than the newer ones... I have no idea when that change was made though...

It seemed like the old ones would run forever, of course, it just seemed like that. Personally, I'd not let one go over 100 hours on an oil change, no matter what oil I was using!

SR

 

[PILOON]

LOL, I don't own a Honda but take good care of it and it might just outlive you,

 

[xtxpete]

I say, it depends...

The old ones ARE better than the newer ones... I have no idea when that change was made though...

It seemed like the old ones would run forever, of course, it just seemed like that. Personally, I'd not let one go over 100 hours on an oil change, no matter what oil I was using!

SR

Ya good point, the older ones may last longer due to the newer versions needing to meet tighter emissions standards and running hotter if they're lean. But not sure if they've changed much since mine was built, but I suppose they may very well have!

 

[flyerdan]

Most of the wear occurs during cold starts, and internal corrosion from long periods of inactivity. Using it daily is the best case scenario for long life. Clean oil, clean fuel and keeping the cooling fins clear should keep it going for years.
Look at aircraft engines; an O-235 on a plane that sits outside and only flies a time or two a year will probably need an OH at a thousand hours or less, and the same mill on a trainer that sees 7-10 hours a day will still be in the high 70's well past its 2400 hour TBO.

 

[Ford850]

I have had real good luck so far and besides cleaning the sediment bowl the fuel system has been flawless and it's almost 12yrs in operation! But the key there is that it's used every single day. So yes I agree, it can last a long time but can someone quantify that? I'd like to avoid a major failure due to it being a daily used piece of equipment, but no sense in replacing what still seems to perform reasonably well! Thanks!

Just curious, but do you know how many hours you have on it now?

 

[xtxpete]

Just curious, but do you know how many hours you have on it now?

Hey I was wondering if someone would ask, as I do have it running on an hourmeter, but I hoped someone would maybe first throw some numbers up as to what I can expect. According to the small engine shops I've talked to, they all make it sound as if at 8100hrs it's living on borrowed time!

 

[Ford850]

Hey I was wondering if someone would ask, as I do have it running on an hourmeter, but I hoped someone would maybe first throw some numbers up as to what I can expect. According to the small engine shops I've talked to, they all make it sound as if at 8100hrs it's living on borrowed time!

8100 hours? Holy crap that's impressive to me. That's approximately 2 hours a day, 7 days a week, for your "almost 12 years". You definitely have the daily use, and long run time on your side.