181-1216-14
Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled
Page 7
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.
This section contains starting instructions for several
different types of engines. In order to locate the instructions
that apply to your engine, first determine what type of starter
you have. If you have an electric starter see "A. Engine
Sections with Electric Starters" instructions. If you have a
manual recoil starter, see "B. Engine Sections with Recoil
Starters" instructions on page 10. Afterward, continue
reading instructions below.
A. Engine Sections with Electric Starters
Only one of the following three sections will apply to your
engine. See Table 3.
I. Primer Bulb Only
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, be sure engine is
outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
2. Move engine throttle control to “FAST” position, if
present (see equipment manufacturer’s instructions).
See Figures 12 and 13.
3. When starting a cold engine, press primer bulb firmly 3
times, allowing primer bulb to return completely to orig-
inal position between pushes. See Figures 14 and 15.
Afterward, continue reading instructions below.
NOTES
Be sure to cover vent hole when pressing primer bulb.
See Figure 14.
Cooler temperatures may require pushing primer bulb firmly
5 times.
DO NOT use primer to restart a warm engine after a short
shutdown. Doing so will flood the engine and may result in
equipment malfunction.
Table 3. Engine Sections with Electric Starters
4. Operate equipment control to release engine brake or
clutch, if present (see equipment manufacturer’s
instructions). See Figure 12.
!
WARNING
!
WARNING
If your engine has:
Go to:
Primer Bulb Only
Section A.I
Choke Only
Section A.II
Primer Bulb and Choke
Section A.III
Figure 12. Typical Engine Controls
Figure 13. Typical Engine Symbols
Figure 14. Pressing Primer Bulb
1. Electric Start Switch
2. Engine Throttle Control
3. Equipment Control
1
3
2
STOP
STOP
SLOW
RUN
FAST CHOKE PRIMER
1. Primer Bulb
2. Vent Hole
1
2
