Maintenance Instructions
BRIGGS & STRATTON TIPS
38
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CARE OF THE
BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE
Fuel System
•
Fuel must be clean - free from water, dirt, and or-
ganic material.
•
Change the fuel filter on a regular basis and when
contamination is suspected or found in the fuel.
Starting/Stopping
•
Start engine with the throttle advanced off idle
(1/4 to 1/2 throttle). This will aid starting, especially
in cold weather.
•
Keep the battery fully charged.
•
Match crankcase oil viscosity to the ambient tem-
perature, allowing the engine to crank faster and start
easier.
•
Allow engine to run at idle for a few seconds be fore
stopping engine to avoid run-on or backfiring.
Cooling System
CAUTION
DO NOT use a pressure washer to clean the
cooling system on an air-cooled engine;
mud may form under the cooling shroud
on the cylinder head and cooling fan.
•
Keep engine air intake screen and cylinder head
fins free of grass clippings, chaff, and dirt. Inspect
intake screen and cooling fins for cleanliness and no
damage.
•
Check performance of the cooling system by
starting the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the
cylinder head, and feeling the cooling airflow.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, muffler, and moving parts when
checking airflow.
•
Operate the engine at full speed when mowing.
This allows the engine to produce full horsepower
and move more cooling air through the engine cool-
ing fins.
Air Cleaner System
•
Use
only
Cummins/Fleetguard air cleaner ele-
ments. Aftermarket elements may not seal in the air
cleaner housing, allowing dirt to enter the engine.
Also, aftermarket filters often skimp on the filtration
media and require more frequent replacement (see
following instructions).
•
Use the air filter restriction gauge to indicate the
need to service the air filter.
•
DO NOT overservice
or frequently “disturb” the
air filter.
A dirty air filter actually cleans better than a
new one. Changing and cleaning the air filter too of-
ten can ac tually reduce filter efficiency and increase
the oppor tunity for traces of dust to enter the engine.
Wait until the element really needs servicing as indi-
cated by the air filter restriction gauge.
•
When the air filter element is removed or re placed,
make sure all
dust is cleaned out
of the
air cleaner
housing and hose.
Use a damp cloth and wipe the
interior of the canister and hose clean (a lit tle dirt left
here will be sucked into the engine and reduce engine
life). When the filter is reinstalled, make sure the
element is held tight and straight
in the canister for
proper seating and sealing.
•
Periodically check the air intake hose for cuts,
nicks, etc., and the hose clamps for tightness.
Oil
•
Single viscosity or multi-viscosity oils may be used
with the viscosity matching ambient tempera tures for
the engine operating conditions. This will
aid start-
ing
in cold weather and assure proper lu brication in
hot weather.
•
Use only Briggs & Stratton oil filters.
Aftermarket
filters may not seal properly
and/or have the in-
correct pressure relief valve for proper lubrication.
Summary of Contents for B18
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Page 74: ...70 Operator s Notes...
