A general purpose engine includes: a crankcase to support an engine rotary shaft; a cylinder unit extending from the crankcase in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the engine rotary shaft; a cooling fan fixed to one of opposite ends of the engine rotary shaft; and a fan housing configured to have an air induction opening defined therein for the cooling fan and to cover the crankcase and the cylinder unit from one side of the engine rotary shaft. At a position of the fan housing which is opposed to the cooling fin of the cylinder unit, a cleaning access window is defined. The cleaning access window is covered by a debris covering that is capable of being selectively opened and closed. The debris covering has one end portion engaged with the fan housing and the other end portion removably mounted on the fan housing by a magnetic body.