Tecumseh LV148XA, LV148EA III. Oil and Fuel Specifications, IV. Before Starting Your Engine

III. Oil and Fuel Specifications

A. Oil

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 is 21 ounces or 1-1/4 U.S. Pints (.62 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).

CAUTION The use of alternative fuels such as E85 or E20 are not recommended for use in

Tecumseh engines. Alternative fuels with high alcohol content can cause hard starting, poor engine performance, and may cause internal engine damage.

NOTE

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.

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 or to point of overflow on engines without dipstick. See Figure 6.

•Be sure oil fill cap/plug is tightened securely.

NOTES

DO NOT overfill oil filler. Doing so may result in oil carry- over 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.

Table 1. Recommended Oil Usage

Tecumseh Recommended Oil Usage

Straight Grade

Tecumseh Part No.

730225A or SAE30W

Multi Grade

Tecumseh Part No.

730226A or SAE5W30 or SAE10W

Synthetic

Tecumseh Part No.

730263 or SAE0W30

O

O

O

O

F

O

O

O

O

-20 F

0 F

20 F

32

40 F

60 F

80 F

100 F

-30OC

-20OC

-10OC

10OC

20OC

40OC

0OC

30OC

Table 2. Recommended Fuel

Fuel Component	Percentage
Ethanol	10%
Grain Alcohol (“Gasohol”)	10%
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)	15%
ETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)	15%

FULL	Fill Between
	“FULL” and “ADD”
OK	Marks

ADD

Figure 6. Engine Oil Level

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