Statements in this manual preceded by the following words
and graphics are of special significance:
!
WARNING
Or
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which if NOT avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
Indicates a potential situation which if not avoided, could
result in equipment or property damage.
NOTE
Refers to important information and is placed in italic type.
Tecumseh Contact Information
For engine adjustments, repairs or warranty service NOT
covered in this manual, consult your local Authorized
Tecumseh Servicing Dealer, call 1-800-558-5402, or go to
www.TecumsehPower.com for additional information.
It is recommended that you take special notice of all items
discussed on the next two pages and wear the appropriate
safety equipment.
Before operating this engine it is your responsibility to read
this Operator’s Manual. Follow these basic rules for your
personal safety:
• Keep this manual handy at all times for future
reference.
• Read it carefully and familiarize yourself with
operating, maintenance, components and safety
instructions.
Notice Regarding Emissions
NOTE
Engines which are certified to comply with California and
U.S. EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road
Equipment), are certified to operate on regular unleaded
gasoline, and may include the following emission control
systems: (EM) Engine Modification and (TWC) Three-way
Catalyst (if so equipped).
• NEVER start or operate the engine with the fuel fill cap
removed.
!
WARNING
Read equipment manufacturer’s manual and this material
thoroughly before using this engine. Failure to do so can
result in serious injury or death. Consult your local
Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer, call 1-800-5585402, or go to www.TecumsehPower.com for additional
information.
A. Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide, a deadly gas.
Breathing carbon monoxide can
cause headaches, dizziness,
drowsiness, nausea, confusion
and eventually death.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless,
odorless, tasteless gas which may be present even if you DO
NOT see or smell any engine exhaust. Deadly levels of
carbon monoxide can collect rapidly and you can quickly be
overcome and unable to save yourself. Also, deadly levels of
carbon monoxide can linger for hours or days in enclosed or
poorly-ventilated areas. If you experience any symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the area immediately, get
fresh air, and SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT.
To prevent serious injury or death from carbon monoxide:
• NEVER run engine indoors. Even if you try to ventilate
engine exhaust with fans or open windows and doors,
carbon monoxide can rapidly reach dangerous levels.
• NEVER run engine in poorly-ventilated or partially
enclosed areas such as barns, garages, basements,
carports, under dwellings, or in pits.
• NEVER run engine outdoors where engine exhaust
can be drawn into a building through openings such as
windows and doors.
B. Avoid Gasoline Fires
Gasoline (fuel) vapors are highly flammable
and can explode. Fuel vapors can spread and
be ignited by a spark or flame many feet away
from engine. To prevent injury or death from
fuel fires, follow these instructions:
• NEVER store engine with fuel in fuel
tank inside a building with potential
sources of ignition such as hot water and space
heaters, clothes dryers, electric motors, etc.
• NEVER remove fuel cap or add fuel when engine is
running.
• Allow engine to cool before refueling.
• NEVER fill fuel tank indoors. Fill fuel tank outdoors in
a well-ventilated area.
• DO NOT smoke while refueling tank.
• Use only an approved red GASOLINE container to
store and dispense fuel. Tecumseh recommends
purchasing gasoline in containers with a capacity of
2.5 gallons or less. Small containers are easier to
handle and help eliminate spillage during refueling.
• DO NOT pour fuel from engine or siphon fuel by
mouth. To empty the fuel tank see "I. Draining Fuel"
instructions on page 14.
C. Adult Supervision of Operation, Refueling
and Maintenance
The manufacturer of the application may provide information
about who is allowed to use this engine (see equipment
manufacturer’s manual). NOT everyone who is allowed to use
this engine is capable of safely and responsibly operating,
maintaining and/or fueling it. Tecumseh recommends the
following:
• An adult should fuel this engine. NEVER allow children
to refuel this engine. See "C. Filling Fuel Tank"
instructions on page 5.
• An adult should perform maintenance on this engine.
See "VII. Maintenance" instructions on page 10. Only
allow children to perform maintenance if an adult has
determined they are experienced and capable of such
operation.
• An adult should start the engine. See "G. Avoid
Accidental Starts" instructions on page 2. Only allow
children to start the engine if an adult has determined
they are experienced and capable of such operation.
• To avoid unsupervised operation of the engine,
especially by children, NEVER leave it unattended
when it is running.
D. Stay Away from Rotating Parts
NEVER operate the engine with an
unguarded engine shaft.
The equipment manufacturer may attach
a sprocket and chain or pulley and belt to
the engine shaft. If these parts are NOT
properly guarded, or if you are NOT sure
whether they are properly guarded, DO
NOT use your engine; contact the
equipment manufacturer. Hands, feet,
hair, jewelry, clothing, etc. can become
entangled in rotating parts, leading to
serious injury or death. To avoid serious
injury or death, be sure the flywheel guard is in place. See
Figure 1, on page 2.
The muffler and other engine parts become
extremely hot during operation and remain
hot after the engine has stopped.
• To avoid severe burns on contact,
NEVER operate the engine without
the muffler guard in place, and avoid
hot areas of the engine.
• To reduce the risk of fire keep all materials that can
burn, including grass and leaves, away from muffler
and rest of engine. DO NOT operate, idle or park
the engine application in long dry grass or other dry
ground cover.
G.Avoid Accidental Starts
To prevent accidental starting when working on equipment
always:
• Carefully disconnect spark plug wire and keep it
away from spark plug. See Figures 2 and 3.
• Keep the disconnected spark plug wire
securely away from metal parts where arcing
could occur.
• Carefully attach the spark plug wire to the
grounding post, if provided.
• Disconnect battery at negative terminal first, if
engine is equipped with an electric starter.
• Turn off all engine switches.
• Remove ignition key, if provided.
H. Use Hearing Protection
Engine noise may cause hearing damage. Always wear
hearing protection when operating an engine.
Use of this engine on fun-carts, go-karts, or mini-bikes
can result in serious injury or death. Tecumseh
manufactures the Power Sport line of engines for use in
such applications. Consult your local Authorized
Tecumseh Servicing Dealer, call 1-800-558-5402, or go
to www.TecumsehPower.com for additional information.
Figure 1. Typical Flywheel Guard Location
Figure 2. Typical Spark Plug Connection
Figure 3. Disconnecting/Connecting Spark Plug
To avoid serious injury or death, DO NOT modify engine in
any way. Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a
runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds.
NEVER tamper with factory setting of engine governor.
For engine adjustments, repairs or warranty service NOT
covered in this manual, consult your local Authorized
Tecumseh Servicing Dealer, call 1-800-558-5402, or go to
www.TecumsehPower.com for additional information.
A. Engine Identification Decal
A sample engine identification decal (See Figure 4.)
indicates the engine’s model number, specification of
engine and the date of manufacture (D.O.M.). Please look
at the decal on your engine and fill in this information in the
spaces provided for future reference.
The engine identification decal also includes engine life
specifications for the emissions-related useful life period of
your engine. This period relates to the emission compliance
life as certified by EPA and/or CARB. To find the life period
specification for your engine, please look on your engine’s
decal and find the letter enclosed by quotation marks
between the words MODERATE and LIFE PERIOD. Match
one of the following letters with the letter printed on your
decal. For example, OV models are designated as “C” 250
hours, “B” 500 hours, and “A” 1000 hours.
B. Tecumseh Technician’s Handbook
If you have a general understanding of internal combustion
engines and wish to repair and service your engine and/or
engine emission control systems yourself, a Technician’s
Handbook is available from your Authorized Tecumseh
Servicing Dealer. See Figure 5. This handbook covers
repairs and adjustments NOT covered within this
Operator’s Manual, and it is intended for individuals who
have had adequate training, experience and who practice
proper tool usage. Service procedures should be clearly
understood and practiced when servicing Tecumseh
Engines. Order as part no. 695244A for OV models.
Tecumseh manufactures and is responsible only for the
engine used on this power equipment. If repair or service is
needed for anything other than the engine, contact the
service source recommended by the equipment
manufacturer.
To operate engine you need to use a clean, high quality,
detergent oil. For recommended engine oil, See Table 1.
NOTES
Be sure original container is marked A.P.I. Service “SL/SJ”.
Using multigrade oil above 32°F (0°C) will increase oil
consumption. SAE10W40 is NOT recommended.
The oil sump capacity (including oil filter) is 39 ounces or
2-1/2 U.S. Pints (1.15 liters).
The oil sump capacity (without oil filter) is 32 ounces or
2 U.S. Pints (.94 liters).
Tecumseh special-formulated oils are available at your
Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer.
B. Fuel
Use unleaded regular, unleaded premium or reformulated
automotive fuel only. You may use gasoline containing the
following components identified in Table 2.
• DO NOT use leaded fuel.
• Fuel must be fresh and clean. NEVER use fuel left
over from last season or stored for long periods.
• NEVER mix oil with fuel.
• DO NOT use fuel containing Methanol (Wood
Alcohol).
Tecumseh engines. Alternative fuels with high alcohol
content can cause hard starting, poor engine performance,
and may cause internal engine damage.
Damage and/or performance problems that will occur from
use of fuels, other than those listed in the Operator’s
Manuals will not be considered warranty.
The use of alternative fuels such as E85
or E20 are not recommended for use in
NOTE
NOTES
DO NOT overfill oil filler. Doing so may result in oil carryover to the air cleaner and equipment malfunction or
damage.
DO NOT allow oil level to fall below the “ADD” mark on
dipstick. Doing so may result in equipment malfunction or
damage.
Contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer for
Tecumseh Oil.
IV. Before Starting Your Engine
A. Checking Oil Level
To avoid engine damage, it is important to:
• Check oil level before each use and every 5
operating hours when engine is warm. Check oil
level more frequently during engine break-in.
• Keep oil level between “FULL” and “ADD” marks on
dipstick. See Figure 6.
• Be sure oil fill cap/plug is tightened securely.
2. Unscrew oil fill cap from oil filler tube and wipe dipstick
clean. See Figure 7.
3. Screw oil fill cap back into oil filler tube. Tighten
securely.
4. Unscrew and remove oil fill cap from oil filler tube. Note
oil level. If oil reading on dipstick is below “ADD” mark,
slowly add oil to reach “FULL” level. See Figure 6, on
page 4. Afterward, continue reading instructions
below.
5. Screw oil fill cap back into oil filler tube. Tighten
securely.
6. Wipe away any spilled oil.
C. Filling Fuel Tank
engine. Gasoline (fuel) vapors are highly flammable and
can explode. Fuel vapors can spread and be ignited by a
spark or flame many feet away from engine. To prevent
injury or death from fuel fires, follow these instructions:
1. Stop engine and allow it to cool before refueling.
2. Be sure engine is outdoors and in a well-ventilated
area.
3. Clean area around fuel fill cap and remove fuel fill cap.
4. Using an approved red GASOLINE container, add fuel
slowly, being careful to avoid spilling. DO NOT overfill
fuel tank. Leave space in the tank to allow fuel to
expand without overflowing.
5. Replace fuel fill cap securely and wipe up spilled fuel
before starting engine. If fuel is spilled DO NOT start
engine. Move machine away from area of spillage.
Avoid creating any source of ignition until fuel vapors
are gone.
An adult should fuel this engine.
NEVER allow children to refuel this
an adult has determined they are experienced and capable
of such operation.
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 electric and
manual start 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. Engines
with Electric Starters" instructions. If you have a manual
recoil starter see "B. Engines with Recoil Starters"
instructions on page 8.
An adult should start the engine.
Only allow children to start engine if
If you are unable to start this engine
after following instructions in this
A. Engines with Electric Starters
Only one of the following two sections will apply to your
engine. See Table 3.
Table 3. Engine Sections with Electric Starters
If your engine has:Go to:
Combined
Speed and Choke Control
Independent
Speed and Choke Controls
I.Combined Speed and Choke Control
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, be sure engine is
outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
2. Move combined control to “CHOKE” or “START” position (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.
Section A.I
Section A.II
NOTES
DO NOT operate an electric starter for more than 5 seconds
each attempt
If engine fails to start after 3 attempts repeat steps 2 thru 3.
4. When engine starts:
a. Release starter button or ignition switch key.
b. Next, move combined control to “FAST” position.
c. Finally, move combined control to desired speed in
“RUN” range.
NOTES
If engine starts, but falters when combined control is moved
to “FAST” position:
a. Momentarily move combined control back to
“CHOKE” position.
b. Next, move combined control to “FAST” position.
c. Finally, move combined control to desired speed in
“RUN” range.
If engine dies after combined 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
combined control to “FAST” position and then start
engine.
6. If engine fails to start after 3 attempts with combined
control in “FAST” position, move combined control to
“CHOKE” position 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.