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Four-Cycle Twin Cylinder Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled
181-1203-14
V. Starting Your Engine
An adult should start the engine.
Only allow children to start engine if
an adult has determined they are experienced and capable
of such operation.
If you are unable to start this engine
after following instructions in this
manual, contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing
Dealer. To avoid serious burn injuries or damage to your
engine, DO NOT attempt to start or troubleshoot this engine
in any other way. For example:
• DO NOT use starting fluid.
• DO NOT spray flammable vapors into carburetor or
onto air cleaner.
• DO NOT put flammable liquids into carburetor or
onto air cleaner.
• DO NOT operate engine or pull on starter rope with
spark plug removed. Fuel can spray from spark plug
hole and ignite.
A. Engines with Electric Starters
Only one of the following two sections will apply to your
engine. See Table 3.
I. Combined Speed and Choke Control
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, ensure engine is
outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
2. Move Combined Control to “CHOKE” or “START” (see
equipment manufacturer’s instructions). See Figures 8
and 9.
NOTE
If restarting a warm engine after a short shutdown, move
Combined Control to “FAST” instead of “CHOKE” or
“START” position. See Figures 8 and 9.
3. Push starter button or turn ignition switch key (see
equipment manufacturer’s instructions) to start engine.
If engine fails to start after 3 attempts repeat steps 2 thru 3.
NOTE
DO NOT operate an electric starter for more than 5 seconds
each attempt.
4. When engine starts:
a. Release starter button or ignition switch key.
b. Next, move control to “FAST”.
c. Finally, move control to desired speed in “RUN”
range.
NOTES
If engine starts, but falters when control is moved to “FAST”
position:
a. Momentarily move control back to “CHOKE”
position.
b. Next, move control to “FAST” position.
c. Finally, move control to desired speed in “RUN”
range.
If engine dies after control is moved to “FAST” position,
repeat steps 2 thru 4 to restart engine.
5. If engine fires but does not continue to run, move con-
trol lever to “FAST” and then start engine.
6. If engine fails to start after 3 attempts with control in
“FAST”, move control to “CHOKE” and push button or
turn key to start engine again.
7. If engine does not start after following steps 1 thru 6,
contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer.
DO NOT attempt to start or troubleshoot this engine in
any other way.
Table 3. Engine Sections with Electric Starter
If your engine has:
Go to:
Combined Speed and Choke Controls Section A.I
Independent Speed and Choke
Controls
Section A.II
!
WARNING
!
WARNING
Figure 8. Combined Speed and Choke Control
Figure 9. Typical Engine Symbols
STOP
STOP
SLOW
RUN
FAST CHOKE
