13
MAINTENANCE
ENGINE AND ENGINE PARTS
We recommend that you see an authorized Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer for all maintenance and service of the engine
and engine parts. Use only genuine Briggs & Stratton parts.
WARNING
If you perform any maintenance on the engine, first disconnect the spark plug wire
from the spark plug, and disconnect the battery at the negative terminal (electric
starter engines only) to prevent unintentional sparking. Unintentional sparking can
result in fire or electric shock. Unintentional start-up can result in entanglement,
traumatic amputation or laceration. Use only correct tools.
WARNING
• 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.
CLEANING DEBRIS
CAUTION: Do not use water to clean engine parts.
Water could contaminate fuel system. Use a brush
or dry cloth.
Engine parts should be kept
clean to reduce the risk of
overheating and ignition of accu-
mulated debris. This is especial-
ly important if cutting tall grass.
WARNING
Daily or before every use, clean grass, chaff or accumu-
lated debris from engine. Keep linkage, spring and controls
clean. Keep area around and behind muffler free of any
combustible debris.
Finger Guard
CLEAN
CLEAN
Linkage, Springs, Controls
Muffler, Spark Arrester
Rotating Screen
CLEAN
CLEAN
SPARK
ARRESTER
CLEAN
MUFFLER
Replacement parts for the
muffler must be the same and
installed in the same position
as the original parts, other-
wise fire can occur.
If muffler is equipped with
spark arrestor screen, re-
move screen for inspection. Replace screen if damaged or
plugged.
WARNING
SPARK PLUG
Use only Briggs & Stratton Spark Tester (part number
19368) to check for spark.
Note: In some areas, local
law requires using resistor
spark plug to suppress
ignition signals. If this en-
gine was originally
equipped with resistor
spark plug, use same type
for replacement.
.030” (0.76 mm)
WIRE GAGE
RESISTOR P/N 491055
AIR COOLING SYSTEM
We recommend that after every 100 hours you have an
authorized Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer clean the air
cooling system.
CLEAN OUT
CHAFF AND
DEBRIS
VALVE CLEARANCE
Check valve clearance yearly. (See Tune-up Specifications
on page 6).