Briggs & Stratton 300000, 380000, 350000, 290000 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

Model 290000

Model 300000

Vanguard

Vanguard

Model 350000

Model 380000

Vanguard

Vanguard

BRIGGSandSTRATTON.com

ECopyright Briggs & Stratton Corporation

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201 U.S.A.

Form No. 277107-3/07

Printed in U.S.A.

Safety References

SYMBOLS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS ENGINE:

The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety
information about hazards that can result in personal
injury. A signal word (DANGER, WARNING, or
CAUTION) is used with the alert symbol to indicate the
likelihood and the potential severity of injury. In addition, a
hazard symbol may be used to represent the type of
hazard.

DANGER indicates a hazard which, if not

avoided, will result in death or serious
injury.

WARNING indicates a hazard which, if not

avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.

CAUTION indicates a hazard which, if not

avoided, might result in minor or moderate
injury.

CAUTION, when used without the alert

symbol, indicates a situation that could result
in damage to the engine.

Fire

Explosion

Kickback

Hot Surface

Toxic F u mes

Moving Parts

Shock

Wear Eye
Protec­tion

Frostbite

Read
Manual

Oil

Fuel

Fuel Shutoff

On Off

Choke

Stop

Slow

Fast

This manual contains safety

information to make you aware of
the hazards and risks associated with engines, and
how to avoid them. Because Briggs & Stratton does
not necessarily know what equipment this engine will
power, it is important that you read and understand
these instructions and the instructions for the
equipment this engine powers.

Table of Contents

Safety References 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Features 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Safety 4-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Oil 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fuel 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Starting 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stopping 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Troubleshooting 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Maintenance 11-14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Specifications and Emission Information 15. . . . . . . . . . .

Storage and Service 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Warranty Information 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WARNING

Briggs & Stratton does not approve or authorize the
use of these engines on 3-wheel All Terrain
Vehicles (ATVs), motor bikes, fun/recreational
go-karts, aircraft products or vehicles intended for
use in competitive events. Use of these engines in
such applications could result in property damage,
serious injury (including paralysis), or even death.

WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive
harm.

CAUTION

This engine is shipped from Briggs & Stratton
without oil. If you start the engine without oil, the
engine will be damaged beyond repair and will
not be covered under warranty.

2

Features

1. Air Cleaner

2. Carburetor or LPG / NG Fuel Mixer

3. Rewind Starter (if equipped)

4. Blower Housing

5. Oil Filter (if equipped)

6. Spark Plug Wire

7. Oil Drain Plug

8. Oil Fill/Dipstick

3

2

9. Rotating Screen

10. Emission Label

11. Engine Identification

Model XXXXXX Type XXXXXX Code
XXXXXXXX

12. Fuel Pump

13. Exhaust Manifold

14. 12V Electric Starter (if equipped)

4

1

5

6

10

9

8

7

11

12

14

13

3

Safety

WARNING

Gasoline and its vapors are extremely
flammable and explosive.

Fire or explosion can cause severe
burns or death.

WHEN ADDING FUEL

• Turn engine OFF and let engine cool at least
2 minutes before removing gas cap.

• Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated
area.

• Do not overfill fuel tank.

• Keep gasoline away from sparks, open

flames, pilot lights, heat, and other ignition
sources.

• Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings
frequently for cracks or leaks. Replace if
necessary.

WHEN STARTING ENGINE

• Make sure spark plug, muffler, fuel cap and
air cleaner are in place.

• Do not crank engine with spark plug
removed.

• If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates before
starting engine.

• If engine floods, set choke to OPEN/RUN
position, place throttle in FAST and crank
until engine starts.

WHEN OPERATING EQUIPMENT

• Do not choke carburetor to stop engine.

WHEN TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT

• Transport with fuel tank EMPTY.

WHEN STORING GASOLINE OR EQUIP­MENT WITH FUEL IN TANK

• Store away from furnaces, stoves, water
heaters or other appliances that have pilot
light or other ignition source because they
can ignite gasoline vapors.

WARNING

Gaseous fuels, such as liquid
petroleum gas (LPG) and natural
gas (NG), are extremely flammable
and can readily form explosive
air-vapor mixtures at moderate
temperatures.

IF YOU SMELL GAS:

• DO NOT start the engine.

• DO NOT actuate any electrical switches.

• DO NOT use the phone in the vicinity.

• Evacuate the area.

• Contact the gas supplier or fire department.

REMEMBER:

• LPG vapor is heavier than air and tends to
collect in low areas. NG vapor is lighter then
air and tends to collect in high areas. Both may
travel to remote locations.

• Keep all flames, sparks, pilot lights and other
ignition sources away from the area where the
engine is operated or repaired.

• DO NOT smoke when operating or repairing
the engine.

• DO NOT store gasoline or other flammable
vapors or liquids in the vicinity of the engine.

• BEFORE doing any service work to the
engine, shut off the gas supply.

• After initial installation or servicing, check for
gas leaks. DO NOT use an open flame. Apply
very soapy water or leak test solution with a
brush and look for bubbles.

• Keep the equipment and the area surrounding
the engine free of debris.

• Install the fuel system according to applicable
fuel/gas codes.

WARNING

Starting engine creates sparking.
Sparking can ignite nearby flammable

gases.
Explosion and fire could result.

• If there is natural or LP gas leakage in area, do
not start engine.

• Do not use pressurized starting fluids because
vapors are flammable.

4

WARNING

WARNING

Rapid retraction of starter cord
(kickback) will pull hand and arm
toward engine faster than you can
let go.

Broken bones, fractures, bruises
or sprains could result.

• When starting engine, pull cord slowly until
resistance is felt, then pull rapidly.

• Direct coupled equipment components such as,
but not limited to, blades, impellers, pulleys,
sprockets, etc., must be securely attached.

WARNING

Rotating parts can contact or en­tangle hands, feet, hair, clothing, or
accessories.

Traumatic amputation or severe
laceration can result.

• Operate equipment with guards in place.

• Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.

• Tie up long hair and remove jewelry.

• Do not wear loose-fitting clothing, dangling

drawstrings or items that could become caught.

WARNING

Engines give off carbon monoxide,
an odorless, colorless, poison gas.

Breathing carbon monoxide can
cause nausea, fainting or death.

• Start and run engine outdoors.

• Do not start or run engine in enclosed area,

even if doors or windows are open.

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.

• Install and maintain in working order a spark
arrester before using equipment on
forest-covered, grass-covered, brush-covered
unimproved land. The state of California
requires this (Section 4442 of the California
Public Resources Code). Other states may
have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal
land.

WARNING

Unintentional sparking can result
in fire or electric shock.

Fire or explosion can cause
severe burns or death.

Unintentional start-up can result
in entanglement, traumatic
amputation, or laceration.

Before performing maintenance or repairs:

• Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away
from spark plug.

• Disconnect battery at negative terminal (only
engines with electric start).

• Use only correct tools.

• Do not strike the flywheel with a hammer or

hard object because the flywheel may later
shatter during operation.

• Do not tamper with governor spring, links or
other parts to increase engine speed.

When testing for spark:

• Use approved spark plug tester.

• Do not check for spark with spark plug

removed.

WARNING

Wear eye protection when doing
repair work.

Frostbite can result from skin/eye
contact with leaking LP liquid.

• Installation, adjustment and repair work should
be done by a qualified technician.

• Flexible supply lines should be checked regularly
to make sure they are in good condition. Replace
damaged or leaking components.

5

Before Starting

Oil

Oil Capacity

Engine holds approximately 1-1/2 quarts (48 ounces or

1.4 liters) when changing oil and filter.

Oil Recommendation

• Use a high quality detergent oil classified “For
Service SF, SG, SH, SJ” or higher. Briggs & Stratton
strongly recommends the use of synthetic oil. If
synthetic oil is unavailable, Briggs & Stratton
non-synthetic 30 weight oil P/N 1000005 (20 oz.) or
P/N 1000028 (48 oz.) is an acceptable substitute.

• Do not use special additives.

• Choose a viscosity according to the table below.

Note: Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC
GF-2, API certification mark and API
service symbol (shown at left) with
“SJ/CF ENERGY CONSERVING” or
higher, is an acceptable oil at all
temperatures. Use of synthetic oil

does not alter required oil change
intervals.

SAE Viscosity Grades

**

*

Checking and Adding Oil

• Check oil level before starting the engine.

• Keep oil level at FULL. Do not overfill.

• Check level daily, or after every eight (8) hours.

Oil Fill

1. Place engine level and clean around oil fill and
dipstick.

2. Remove dipstick and wipe with clean cloth.

3. Tighten dipstick down. Remove and check oil
level.

4. Remove oil fill cap. Pour oil slowly. First add 1 qt
(32 oz or 1 liter). Start and run engine at idle for
30 seconds. Shut off engine and wait 30 seconds.
Then add more oil slowly to bring level to FULL
mark on dipstick.

-20 0 20 40 60 80 100

°F

-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40

°C

STARTING TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL

32

CHANGE

CAUTION

* Air cooled engines run hotter than

automotive engines. The use of
non-synthetic multi-viscosity oils (5W-30,
10W-30, etc.) in temperatures above 40° F
(4° C) will result in higher than normal oil
consumption. When using a multi-viscosity
oil, check oil level more frequently.

** SAE 30 oil, if used below 40° F (4° C), will

result in hard starting and possible engine
bore damage due to inadequate lubrication.

Oil Pressure Switch

If engine is equipped with oil pressure switch, the
switch will either activate a warning device or stop the
engine when the engine runs low on oil. (Read the
operating instructions supplied by equipment
manufacturer to determine how your engine is
equipped.)

5. Fill to FULL mark on dipstick. Recheck.

FULL

6. Tighten dipstick firmly.

6