OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Honda Engines gxv140 vs gxv160?

Hi guys,

i have obtained 2 honda mowers. Both are 21inch decks, both are self propelled and both are in a similar condition.

One is a hru216d and the other is a hru215.

I am leaning towards keeping the 215 (i always tend to think the older stuff is made to last) and i also thought that th gxv140 engines were still made in japan (as opposed to the gxv160 engines).


Can anyone else chime in?

If you look at the engine serial number, immediately after the engine size and before the first gap, there is a code for the factory that made the engine - e.g GXV160(code) then the first gap. At this point I can't tell you which factory corresponds with which code though.

thanks grumpy,

i have checked the engines and from what i can see at the moment i have something along the lines of GJAP or GJAB? not 100% sure though, its kinda dark at the moment.

If that actually reads GJAB, you have correctly found the prefix of the serial number. Meanwhile I've now broken the code on the plant identifications. The GXV140 and GXV160 both use a weirdo prefix to the serial number instead of using the model name, as older models seem to do. GJAB is the serial number prefix for all series of GXV140 engines. The GXV140 has been out of production for years, and was only ever made in USA. GXV160s over the years have been made in Japan, the USA, and China (lately, mostly China). If you post the serial number prefix of your GXV160 I'll tell you where it was made.

Ok,

i have had a better look at both of the mowers serial numbers.

the gxv160 reads: GJAAH-1001339

the gxv140 reads: GJAB-7557032

there is also a little extra info right under GJAB section noting 'MAJ*'

Forgot the most important question, which one to keep!?

thanks!

GJAAH is the prefix of one of the series of GXV160 engines made in China - apparently the first one to be made there. This is probably not a good thing.

You might recheck that "MAJ" you saw on the GXV140. There was an MAC and an MAD Engine Type code on GXV140s, but no MAJ.

I can't tell at this distance how the condition of those two particular mowers compares - that is probably more important than where the engines were made. As I understand it, the HRU195, and perhaps the HRU215 (19 and 21 inch versions of effectively the same mower) were particularly popular with contractors. Honda's popularity may have waned a bit since then. The GXV140 engine was advertised as 5.0 HP and the GXV160 as 5.5 HP.

You might try browsing one of the sites the mowing contractors use, and pick up some comments on both mowers. I can't comment usefully - I have an HRU195 and I like it a lot, but I've never even used an HRU196 or HRU216.

i also have a hru195 and im happy with it so im thinking of sticking with the gxv140.

In regards to the extra info, the letters are definable MAJ followed by an asterisk (*). Not too sure what that means though.

This mower has fell into my hands, only the second one Ive ever had.
My father claimed the first one, it was a GXV160.


I have looked for numbers, see below:




Cant see any of the prefixes mentioned above though.
Sticker on the base reads: MZBG-5090195
19 inch blade disc.
I will be giving this one some attention starting today.

Johno, it sounds as if my information on the Honda codes is incomplete, or that code you have found is something else, not an Engine Type.

Mark, this is where you find the serial number:


(Illustration from Honda workshop manual)

Thanks Grumpy, I woundnt have found those, the numbers are nearly gone.
My GXV140 numbers are:

GJAB 7717698
MAH*

This engine is made in the USA, I found it written in between the flywheel fins.

If my information is correct Mark, all GXV140 engines have the GJAB prefix, which in turn means they were made in USA. Once again, I've never heard of MAH*, except that it happens to be below the engine number prefix on my HRU195 as well as yours. It is possible it, like Johno's MAJ*, is some kind of export identifier.

My apologies to all. I realise what I have done now.