A general purpose engine includes: a cooling fan fixed to an engine rotary shaft; a muffler to silence exhaust gases; a muffler covering to cover the muffler; and an auto choke device to control an opening of a choke valve in an air intake passage by the utilization of heat evolved from the muffler. The auto choke device includes: a drive source, which is fitted to the muffler covering in a non-contact fashion to the muffler and exposed to an outer surface of the muffler covering; and a link member to connect between the drive source and the choke valve. The drive source includes a bracket, which is fitted to the muffler covering, and a bimetal fitted inside the bracket. The bracket includes a heat shield extending towards an inner side of the muffler covering, and the heat shield blocks out a cooling wind then flowing towards the bimetal.