Not for
Reproduction
WARNING
Running engines produce heat. Engine parts, especially muffler, become extremely
hot.
Severe thermal burns can occur on contact.
Combustible debris, such as leaves, grass, brush, etc., can catch fire.
•
Allow muffler, engine cylinder and fins to cool before touching.
•
Remove accumulated debris from muffler area and cylinder area.
NOTICE
Do not use water to clean the engine. Water could contaminate the fuel
system. Use a brush or dry cloth to clean the engine.
This is an air cooled engine. Dirt or debris can restrict air flow and cause the engine to
overheat, resulting in poor performance and reduced engine life.
1.
Use a brush or dry cloth to remove debris from the air intake area (A, Figure 16).
2.
Keep linkage, springs and controls (B, Figure 16, 17) clean.
3.
Keep the area around and behind the muffler (C, Figure 16, 17) free of any
combustible debris.
4.
Make sure the oil cooler fins (D, Figure 16) are free of dirt and debris.
5.
Loosen fastener(s) (E, Figure 17) until you hear a click. Remove panel (F). and clean
the area of dirt and debris. Make sure the underside of the panel is also clean.
6.
Install the panel (F, Figure 17) and secure with fastener(s) (E). Tighten fastener(s)
until you hear a click.
After a period of time, debris can accumulate in the cylinder cooling fins and cause the
engine to overheat. This debris cannot be removed without partial disassembly of the
engine. Have a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer inspect and clean the air cooling
system as recommended in the Maintenance Schedule.
Storage
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
When Storing Fuel Or Equipment With Fuel In Tank
•
Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters or other appliances that have pilot
lights or other ignition sources because they can ignite fuel vapors.
NOTICE
Store the engine level (normal operating position). If the engine is tipped for
maintenance, the fuel tank must be empty and the spark plug side must be up. If the
fuel tank is not empty and if the engine is tipped in any other direction, it may be difficult
to start due to oil or gasoline contaminating the air filter and/or the spark plug.
Fuel System
Fuel can become stale when stored over 30 days. Stale fuel causes acid and gum deposits
to form in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. To keep fuel fresh, use Briggs
& Stratton Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer, available wherever Briggs
& Stratton genuine service parts are sold.
There is no need to drain gasoline from the engine if a fuel stabilizer is added according
to instructions. Run the engine for two (2) minutes to circulate the stabilizer throughout the
fuel system before storage.
If gasoline in the engine has not been treated with a fuel stabilizer, it must be drained into
an approved container. Run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel. The use of a fuel
stabilizer in the storage container is recommended to maintain freshness.
Engine Oil
While the engine is still warm, change the engine oil. See the
Change Engine Oil section.
Troubleshooting
For assistance, contact your local dealer or go to VanguardEngines.com or call 1-800-
999-9333 (in USA).
Specifications
Model: 540000
54.68 ci (896 cc)
Displacement
3.366 in (85,5 mm)
Bore
3.071 in (78,0 mm)
Stroke
78 - 80 oz (2,3 - 2,4 L)
Oil Capacity
.030 in (,76 mm)
Spark Plug Gap
180 lb-in (20 Nm)
Spark Plug Torque
.005 - .008 in (,13 - ,20 mm)
Armature Air Gap
.004 - .006 in (,10 - ,15 mm)
Intake Valve Clearance
.007 - .009 in (,18 - ,23 mm)
Exhaust Valve Clearance
Model: 610000, 61E100
60.60 ci (993 cc)
Displacement
3.366 in (85,5 mm)
Bore
3.406 in (86,5 mm)
Stroke
78 - 80 oz (2,3 - 2,4 L)
Oil Capacity
.030 in (,76 mm)
Spark Plug Gap
180 lb-in (20 Nm)
Spark Plug Torque
.005 - .008 in (,13 - ,20 mm)
Armature Air Gap - Carburetor Models
.004 - .006 in (,10 - ,15 mm)
Intake Valve Clearance
.007 - .009 in (,18 - ,23 mm)
Exhaust Valve Clearance
Engine power will decrease 3.5% for each 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level and
1% for each 10° F (5.6° C) above 77° F (25° C). The engine will operate satisfactorily at
an angle up to 15°. Refer to the equipment operator's manual for safe allowable operating
limits on slopes.
Service Parts - Model: 540000, 610000, 61E100
Part Number
Service Part
841497
Cyclonic Air Filter (Figure 12)
821136
Cyclonic Safety Filter (Figure 12)
692519
Air Filter, Low Profile (Figure 13)
692520
Pre-cleaner, Low Profile (Figure 13)
100028
Oil - SAE 30
842921
Oil Filter
100117, 100120
Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer
691035
Fuel Filter
491055
Resistor Spark Plug
5066
Long Life Platinum Spark Plug
19374
Spark Plug Wrench
19368
Spark Tester
We recommend that you see any Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer for all maintenance
and service of the engine and engine parts.
Power Ratings: The gross power rating for individual gasoline engine models is labeled
in accordance with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code J1940 Small Engine
Power & Torque Rating Procedure, and is rated in accordance with SAE J1995. Torque
values are derived at 2600 RPM for those engines with “rpm” called out on the label and
3060 RPM for all others; horsepower values are derived at 3600 RPM. The gross power
curves can be viewed at www.BRIGGSandSTRATTON.COM. Net power values are taken
with exhaust and air cleaner installed whereas gross power values are collected without
these attachments. Actual gross engine power will be higher than net engine power and
is affected by, among other things, ambient operating conditions and engine-to-engine
variability. Given the wide array of products on which engines are placed, the gasoline
engine may not develop the rated gross power when used in a given piece of power
equipment. This difference is due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the
variety of engine components (air cleaner, exhaust, charging, cooling, carburetor, fuel
pump, etc.), application limitations, ambient operating conditions (temperature, humidity,
altitude), and engine-to-engine variability. Due to manufacturing and capacity limitations,
Briggs & Stratton may substitute an engine of higher rated power for this engine.
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