Oil Recommendations (see fig. )
Engine shipped from Briggs & Stratton without oil. Before starting engine, fill with oil. Do not over/fill.
Use a high quality detergent oil classified •For Service SF, SG, SH, SJ" or higher such as Briggs & Stratton 30W, Part Number 100005 (20 oz.) or 100028 (48 oz.). Use no special additives with recommended oils. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Choose the SAE viscosity grade of oil from this chart that matches the starting temperature anticipated before the next oil change.
Note: Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC 
GF32, API certification mark and API ser3 
vice 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.*Air cooled engines run hotter than automotive engines. The use of non3synthetic multi3viscosity
oils (5W330, 10W330, etc.) in temperatures above 40° F (4° C) will result in higher than normal oil consumption. When using a multi3viscosity 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.
Check oil level. Model Series oil capacity is about:1.3ltr or 44 oz. for Models 170000 and 190000.1.4ltr or 48 oz. for Model 250000.Place engine level and clean around oil fill Ê.Remove dipstick Ë, wipe with clean cloth, insert and tighten down again. Remove dipstick and check oil level. Oil should be at FULL mark. If oil is required, add slowly. Do not over3fill.
OR
Remove oil filler plug Ì. Oil should be full to overflowing Í.Tighten dipstick or oil filler plug firmly before starting engine.Fuel Recommendations
Use clean, fresh, lead3free gasoline with a minimum of 77 octane. Leaded gasoline may be used if it is commercially available and if unleaded is unavailable. Purchase fuel in quantity that can be used within 30 days. See Storage.
In U.S.A. leaded gasoline may not be used. Some fuels, called oxygenated or reformulated gasolines, are gasolines blended with alcohols or ethers. Excessive amounts of these blends can damage the fuel system or cause performance problems. If any undesirable operating symptoms occur, use gasoline with a lower percentage of alcohol or ether.
This engine is certified to operate on gasoline. Exhaust Emission Control System: EM (Engine Modifications).
Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol. Do not mix oil with gasoline.For engine protection, we recommend using Briggs & Stratton Fuel Stabilizer available from an Authorized Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer.
Clean around fuel fill before removing cap to refuel. Fill tank to approximately 131/2 inches below top of neck to allow for fuel expansion. Be careful not to overfill.
Starting (see figs. )ALWAYS KEEP HANDS AND FEETCLEAR OF EQUIPMENT MOVING PARTS.Do not use a pressurized starting fluid. Vapors are flammable.Start, store and fuel equipment in level position. Check oil level.Open fuel shut3off valve, if equipped.CAUTION: OIL GARD, if equipped, (see 7 fig. ) is intended to prevent starting an engine that is low on oil. OIL GARD may not shut down a running engine. Engine damage may occur if oil level is not properly maintained and will void warranty coverage. Always check oil level before starting engine.
If engine is equipped with OIL GARD, and if engine runs low on oil, light on engine warns of low oil level. If light flickers and engine cannot be started, or has stopped and cannot be restarted, add oil. Fill to point of overflowing at oil fill cap or to FULL mark on dipstick. Do not over3fill.
Before starting (see fig. )1.Move choke control Ê to CHOKE position.2.Move throttle control Ëto FAST position, if equipped.3.Turn fuel shut3off valve Ì ON, if equipped.4.Move stop control Í to ON position, if equipped. Note: If engine is equipped with Oil Gard, flickering light in rocker stop switch Íwill warn of low oil level or engine will stop and not be able to be restarted. Add oil. Fill to FULL mark on dipstick (do not over3fill) or to overflowing at oil filler plug.
Rewind starter (see fig. )Grasp rope handle and pull slowly until
resistance is felt. Then pull cord rapid3 
ly to overcome compression, prevent kickback and start engine. Repeat if necessary with
On engines equipped with 12 volt starting systems, turn key to START position Ê or depress starter button Ë. Repeat if necessary with choke in RUN position and throttle control in FAST position. When engine starts, operate in FAST position.
Note: If equipment manufacturer has supplied battery, charge it before trying to start engine, as equipment manufacturer recommends.
Note: Use short starting cycles (15 secs. per min.) to prolong starter life. Extended cranking can damage starter motor.
Do not move choke control to CHOKE position to stop engine. Backfire or engine damage may occur. Move throttle control to IDLE or SLOW position Ê, if equipped. Then turn key to OFF or move stop control to OFF position Ë. Close fuel shut3off valve Ì.
Note: Always remove key from switch when equipment is not in use or left unattended.
Note: When engine is transported, close fuel shut3off valve to prevent leakage.Adjustments (see fig. )
To prevent acci3 dental starting, re3 move spark plug wire Ê and groundit before adjusting, and disconnect battery at negative terminal, if equipped.Throttle control adjustments (see fig. ) Manual friction controlLoosen or tighten wing nut Ë on control plate until throttle control Ìmoves with some resistance and still remains in desired position when engine is running.
Remote controlLoosen casing clamp screw Í. Move casing and wire Î in direction of arrow to end of travel. Move throttle control to FAST position. Tighten casing clamp screw.
Fixed governor controlTop speed adjusting screw Ï has been pre3set at the factory as specified by equipment manufacturer. DO NOT ADJUST. If adjustment is required, consult any Briggs & Stratton Authorized Service Dealer.
Carburetor adjustmentThe manufacturer of the equipment on which this engine is installed specifies top speed at which the engine will be operated. DO NOT
EXCEED this speed.See an Authorized Briggs & Stratton Dealer for carburetor adjustment.Start engine and warm up approximately 5 minutes before adjusting. With engine running, place throttle control in SLOW position. Rotate carburetor throttle lever against the idle speed screw and hold it. Turn idle speed screw to obtain 1750 rpm.
Rotate idle mixture valve full travel clockwise and then counterclockwise. Finally, position idle mixture valve in middle of travel. Check idle speed and re3adjust to 1750 rpm, if necessary.
Move throttle control to FAST position. Engine should accelerate smoothly. If it does not, adjust idle mixture valve counterclockwise 1/8 turn.
CARBURETOR
THROTTLE
LEVER
IDLE
SPEED
SCREW
IDLE MIXTURE
VALVE
WITH LIMITER
3