Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

So I'm putting this thing away this afternoon, I changed the oil, I'm draining the gas, cleaning it up. And now I'm puzzled with the oil capacity of the engine.

The oil capacity of the GX340 is listed at 1.16 quarts (I hate they do this; make it even quarts or half quarts or something, but that's a different topic). This works out to around 38 ounces of oil

The manual also says on page 41 "Fill to the edge of the filler hole". This seems pretty typical for the Honda engines I own.

Here's where it gets interesting. Filling it to the edge of the filler hole uses more like 43-46 ounces. So they've given me two sets of directions. Making it even more interesting is that Honda has two oil fill holes on the engine, on either side, and both are at different heights. One is next to the oil drain plug, the other is on the opposite side of the engine, this one has a dipstick on it. I'm assuming this is the correct one to use. And before you ask, yes, they're both marked as "oil".

So which is it? 1.16 quarts or fill to the edge? I note the directions themselves don't give a quantity, that number comes from the back of the manual where it gives capacities. Right now, I filled it to the edge of the dipstick hole, but I haven't started it yet, I've got plenty more stuff to do.

Same here.  I just fill it to the point of overflow of the opening on the side of the chute crank. 

I haven't observed if the fill level are different on either fill holes.  It probably won't make a difference.  Think about it.  The designer of the engine probably makes it indifferent whether you fill it on the right or the left side.

there are two holes for adding the oil.  I use the right side (from the rear) to add the oil and the left oil drain plug to empty the oil.  You have two oil fillers and two drain plugs.  so you can pick and choose as there is no right or wrong filler or drain plug.

I looked and saw the drain on the "other" side; the difference is they don't have the "extender" on that side to drain. But now it makes perfect sense. I just don't understand why the capacity isn't the capacity, but I'm not going to worry about. I've drained the carb, changed the oil, sprayed off the blower, and I'll end up pushing it to the back of my garage. BTW, if you wet the floor of your garage, you can slide the Honda like its on ice skates.