Maintenance
Maintenance Information
WARNING
During maintenance if it is necessary to tilt the unit, make sure that the fuel tank, if
mounted on the engine, is empty and that the spark plug side is up. If the fuel tank is not
empty, leakage can occur and could result in a fire or an explosion. If the engine is tilted
in a different direction, it will not easily start because of oil or fuel contamination of the air
filter or the spark plug.
We recommend that you see a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Service Dealer for all
maintenance and servicing of the engine and engine parts.
NOTICE
All the components used to build this engine must remain in place for correct operation.
WARNING
Accidental engine spark can cause an electric shock or fire and could result in
entanglement, traumatic amputation or laceration.
Before you make adjustments or repairs:
• Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from the spark plug.
• Disconnect the battery wire from the negative battery terminal (only engines with
electric start.)
• Use only the correct tools.
When you check for spark:
• Use an approved spark plug tester.
• Do not check for spark with the spark plug removed.
Emissions Control Service
For maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control devices and
systems, contact a qualified off-road engine repair establishment or service
technician.
However, for "no charge" emissions control service, the work must be done
by a factory authorized dealer. Refer to the Emissions Control Statements.
Maintenance Schedule
Intervals of 8 Hours or Daily
• Check the engine oil level.
• Clean the area around the muffler and controls.
Intervals of 100 Hours or Annually
• Replace the spark plugs.
• Change the engine oil.
• Replace the oil filter (if equipped).
• Service the air filter
1
.
• Clean the pre-cleaner (if equipped)
1
.
• Service the exhaust system.
• Check the valve clearance. Adjust if necessary.
Intervals of 400 Hours or Annually
• Replace the air filter.
• Service the cooling system
1
.
• Clean the oil cooler fins
1
.
1
In dusty conditions or when the airborne is present, clean more often.
Servicing the Spark Plug
Check the spark plug gap (A, Figure 4) with a wire gauge (B). If necessary, set the
spark plug gap. Install and tighten the spark plug to the correct torque. For gap or torque
specifications, refer to the
Specifications
section.
NOTE:
In some areas, it is mandatory by local law that you use a resistor spark plug
to decrease ignition signals. If a resistor spark plug was installed by the equipment
manufacturer, use the same type for replacement.
Servicing the Exhaust System
WARNING
During operation, the engine and muffler become hot. If you touch a hot engine,
thermal burns can occur.
Combustible materials, such as leaves, grass and brush, can catch fire.
• Before you touch the engine or muffler, stop the engine and wait two (2) minutes.
Make sure that the engine and muffler are safe to touch.
• Remove debris from the muffler and engine.
It is a violation of California Public Resource Code, Section 4442, to use or operate the
engine on any forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the exhaust
system is equipped with a spark arrester, as defined in section 4442, maintained in
effective working order. Other states or federal jurisdictions may have similar laws;
reference Federal Regulation 36 CFR Part 261.52. Contact the original equipment
manufacturer, retailer, or dealer to obtain a spark arrester designed for the exhaust
system installed on this engine.
Remove debris from the muffler and cylinder area. Examine the muffler for cracks,
corrosion, or other damage. Remove the deflector or the spark arrester, if equipped, and
examine for damage or carbon blockage. If damage is found, install the replacement
parts before you operate the equipment.
WARNING
Replacement parts must be of the same design and installed in the same position as the
original parts. Other parts could result in damage or an injury.
Change Engine Oil
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in
burns or death.
During operation, the engine and muffler become hot. If you touch a hot engine,
thermal burns can occur.
• If you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube, the fuel tank must be empty. If it is not
empty, fuel leakage can occur and cause a fire or an explosion.
• Before you touch the engine or muffler, stop the engine and wait two (2) minutes.
Make sure that the engine and muffler are safe to touch.
Used oil is a hazardous waste product and must be discarded of correctly. Do not
discard with household waste. Contact your local authorities, service center, or dealer
for safe disposal or recycling facilities.
Remove Oil
1. With engine OFF but warm, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) (D, Figure 5), and
keep it away from the spark plug(s)(E).
2. Remove the dipstick (A, Figure 6).
3. Remove the oil drain plug (F, Figure 7). Drain the oil into an approved container.
4. Install and tighten the oil drain plug (F, Figure 7).
Change Oil Filter, if equipped
1. Drain the oil from the engine. Refer to the
Remove Oil
section.
2. Remove the oil filter (H, Figure 8) and discard correctly.
3. Before you install the new oil filter, lightly lubricate the oil filter gasket with clean oil.
4. Install the oil filter by hand until the gasket touches the oil filter adapter, then tighten
the oil filter 1/2 to 3/4 turns.
5. Add oil. Refer to the
Add Oil
section.
6. Start and operate the engine. When the engine is warm, do a check for oil leaks.
7. Stop the engine. Make sure that oil level is at the top of the full indicator (B, Figure
3) on the dipstick.
Add Oil
• Make sure the engine is level.
• Clean the oil fill area of all debris.
• Refer to the
Specifications
section for oil capacity.
1. Remove the dipstick (A, Figure 6). Remove oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth.
2. Slowly add oil into the engine oil fill (C, Figure 6).
Do not overfill.
Wait one minute
and then check the oil level.
3. Install and tighten the dipstick (A, Figure 6).
4. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. The correct oil level is at the top of the
full indicator (B, Figure 6) on the dipstick.
6
Not for
Reproduction
