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Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled
181-1216-14
III. Oil and Fuel Specifications
A. Oil
To operate engine you need to use a clean, high quality,
detergent oil. For recommended engine oil, see Table 1.
NOTES
Be sure original container is marked A.P.I. Service “SL/SJ”.
Using multigrade oil above 32°F (0°C) will increase oil
consumption. SAE10W40 is NOT recommended.
The oil sump capacity is 21 ounces or 1-1/4 U.S. Pints
(.62 liters).
Tecumseh special-formulated oils are available at your
Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer.
B. Fuel
Use
unleaded regular, unleaded premium or reformulated
automotive fuel only. You may use gasoline containing the
following components identified in Table 2.
• DO NOT use leaded fuel.
• Fuel must be fresh and clean. NEVER use fuel left
over from last season or stored for long periods.
• NEVER mix oil with fuel.
• DO NOT use fuel containing Methanol
(Wood Alcohol).
IV. Before Starting Your Engine
A. Checking Oil Level
To avoid engine damage, it is important to:
• Check oil level before each use and every 5
operating hours when engine is warm. Check oil
level more frequently during engine break-in.
• Keep oil level between “FULL” and “ADD” marks on
dipstick or to point of overflow on engines without
dipstick. See Figure 6.
• Be sure oil fill cap/plug is tightened securely.
NOTES
DO NOT overfill oil filler. Doing so may result in oil carry-
over to the air cleaner and equipment malfunction or
damage.
DO NOT allow oil level to fall below the “ADD” mark on
dipstick. Doing so may result in equipment malfunction or
damage.
Contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer for
Tecumseh Oil.
Table 1. Recommended Oil Usage
Table 2. Recommended Fuel
Fuel Component
Percentage
Ethanol
10%
Grain Alcohol (“Gasohol”)
10%
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
15%
ETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)
15%
Figure 6. Engine Oil Level
-20 F
O
32 F
O
32 F
O
32 F
O
40 F
O
-20 C
O
20 F
O
40 C
O
30 C
O
20 C
O
10 C
O
0 C
O
-10 C
O
-30 C
O
0 F
O
60 F
O
80 F
O
100 F
O
Straight Grade
730225A or SAE 30
Tecumseh Part No.
Multi Grade
730226A or SAE 5W30 or SAE 10
Tecumseh Part No.
Synthetic
730263 or SAE 0W30
Tecumseh Part No.
Tecumseh Recommended Oil Usage
FULL
ADD
OK
Fill Between
“FULL” and “ADD”
Marks
