Briggs & Stratton Engine 277039 Operators Manual

							
11
Changing Oil
Change oil after first 5 to 8 hours of use , then every 50
hours or every season. Change oil every 25 hours when
operating the engine under heavy load or in high
temperatures.
1. Run engine until it runs out of fuel. Otherwise, fuel can leak out, creating a fire/explosion hazard,
when you tip engine in Step 4.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug.
3. With engine OFF but still warm remove dipstick.
4. Top oil drain, keep spark plug side up. Bottom or side oil drain (if equipped), keep engine level.
Drain oil into appropriate receptacle.
Note: Top oil drain is recommended method,
however oil can drain from side (if
equipped) or bottom as shown.
5. Place engine level. Add about (18 oz. or 0.5 liter) new oil. Fill to FULL line on dipstick.  Do not
overfill.  Replace dipstick.
6. Replace spark plug wire before starting.
Used oil is a hazardous waste product. Dispose
of used oil properly. Do not discard with
household waste. Check with your local
authorities, service center, or dealer for safe
disposal/recycling facilities.
CAUTION
On bottom oil drain, DO NOT rotate blade or
any other parts unless spark plug wire is
disconnected from spark plug.
DRAIN
PLUGSPIPE3/8”
SQUARE
WARNING
RATCHET AND
EXTENSION
CUTTING BLADE
OIL DRAIN
PLUG
Low Oil Fill 
(if equipped)
High Oil Fill 
(if equipped)Side Oil Drain
(if equipped)
Top Oil Drain
Bottom Oil Drain
SPARK PLUG
Fuel
Type to Use
• Use clean, fresh, regular unleaded gasoline with a
minimum of 85 octane. Fresh fuel prevents gum from
forming in the fuel system or on essential carburetor
parts. Purchase fuel in quantity that can be used
within 30 days.
• Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol.
• Do not mix oil with gasoline.
• For engine protection use Briggs & Stratton
Gasoline Additive available from your Authorized
Briggs & Stratton Dealer.
• This engine is certified to operate on gasoline.
Exhaust Emission Control System: EM (Engine
Modifications).Some fuels, called oxygenated or reformulated
gasoline, are gasoline 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.
CAUTION 
						

							
12
Adding Fuel
1. Remove cap. Fill tank to approximately one inchbelow top of neck to allow for fuel expansion. Be
careful not to overfill.
2. Replace cap before starting.
Fuel Fill
• Turn engine OFF and let engine
cool at least 2 minutes before
removing gas cap.
• Fill fuel tank outdoors or in
well-ventilated area.
• Do not overfill fuel tank. Fill tank to
approximately 1 inches below top of
neck to allow for fuel expansion.
• If fuel spills, wait until it evaporates
before starting engine.
• Keep gasoline away from sparks,
open flames, pilot lights, heat, and
other ignition sources.
• Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and
fittings frequently for cracks or
leaks. Replace if necessary.
WARNING
Fresh Start  Fuel Cap
Your engine may be equipped with
a Fresh Start fuel cap.
Cartridge is shown with tab
partially removed.
Fresh Start fuel cap is designed to
hold a cartridge which contains fuel stabilizer.
1. Place silver foil seal end of cartridge into fuel cap.
2. Press to “snap” cartridge into place.
3. Remove the white tab to expose membrane.
4. Reinstall fuel cap on engine fuel tank.
5. Check periodically  − if empty, remove and
replace.
DANGER
•IF SWALLOWED, call physician immediately.
Do not induce vomiting. If inhaled, remove to
fresh air. In case of eye or skin contact, flush
with water for 15 minutes.
•Store unopened cartridges in a cool, dry,
well-ventilated area. Keep open cartridge in
fuel cap, and fuel cap closed on fuel tank when
not in use.
Contents are HARMFUL OR FATAL IF
SWALLOWED. Avoid contact to eyes,
skin, or clothing. Do not take internally.
Avoid breathing the mist or vapor.
Overexposure to eyes or skin can
cause irritation. KEEP STABILIZER
OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
Fuel stabilizer is a hazardous
chemical.**
** Fuel stabilizer contains: 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (128-39-2)
and aliphatic petroleum distillate (64742-47-8).
•In case of emergency, contact a physician
immediately and call  1-800-424-9300 for material
safety information. 
						

							
13
Engine Specifications
This is a single cylinder, L-head, air-cooled engine. It is
a low emissions engine.
In the state of California, model 120000 engine covered
in this manual is certified by the California Air
Resources Board to meet emissions standards for 125
hours. Such certification does not grant the purchaser,
owner or operator of this engine any additional
warranties with respect to the performance or
operational life of this engine. This engine is warranted
solely according to the product and emissions
warranties stated elsewhere in this manual.
Model 120000
Bore 2-11/16 in. (68.26 mm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stroke 2-3/64 in. (51.99 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Displacement 11.57 cu. in. (189.6cc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tune-up Specifications
Armature air gap 0.006  − 0.010 in. (0.15  − 0.25 mm)
. . 
Spark plug gap 0.030 in. (0.76 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Valve clearance with valve springs installed and piston 1/4
in. (6 mm) past top dead center (check when engine is
cold). See Repair Manual P/N 270962.
Intake 0.005  − 0.007 in. (0.13  − 0.18 mm)
. . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust 0.007  − 0.009 in. (0.18  − 0.23 mm)
. . . . . . . . . . 
Note: For practical operation, the horsepower loading should
not exceed 85% of rated horsepower. Engine power will
decrease 3-1/2% for each 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea
level and 1% for each 10 ° F (5.6 ° C) above 77 ° F (25 ° C). It
will operate satisfactorily at an angle up to 15 °.
Model, Type and Code Number
To get replacement parts or technical assistance in the
future write you engine Model, Type and Code number
along  with the date of purchase here. These numbers are
located on your engine. For the location, see  Engine
Features .
Model
Type
Code
Month / Day / Year
Technical Information
Engine Power Rating Information
The gross power rating for individual gas engine models is
labeled in accordance with SAE (Society of Automotive
Engineers) code J1940 (Small Engine Power & Torque Rating
Procedure), and rating performance has been obtained and
corrected in accordance with SAE J1995 (Revision 2002-05).
Actual gross engine power will be lower and is affected by,
among other things, ambient operating conditions and
engine-to-engine variability. Given both the wide array of
products on which engines are placed and the variety of
environmental issues applicable to operating the equipment,
the gas engine will not develop the rated gross power when
used in a given piece of power equipment (actual “on-site” or
net horsepower). This difference is due to a variety of factors
including, but not limited to, accessories (air cleaner, exhaust,
charging, cooling, carburetor, fuel pump, etc.), application
limitations, ambient operating conditions (temperature,
humidity, altitude), and engine-to-engine variability. Due to
manufacturing and capacity limitations, Briggs & Stratton may
substitute an engine of higher rated power for this Series
engine.
Emission Information
Engines that are certified to meet the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) Tier 2 Emission Standards
must display information regarding the Emissions
Durability Period and the Air Index. Briggs & Stratton
makes this information available to the consumer on
our emission labels. The engine emission label will
indicate certification information.
The Emissions Durability Period  describes the
number of hours of actual running time for which the
engine is certified to be emissions compliant, assuming
proper maintenance in accordance with the Operating
& Maintenance Instructions. The following categories
are used:
Moderate:
Engine is certified to be emission compliant for 125
hours of actual engine running time.
Intermediate:
Engine is certified to be emission compliant for 250
hours of actual engine running time.
Extended:
Engine is certified to be emission compliant for 500
hours of actual engine running time. For example, a
typical walk-behind lawn mower is used 20 to 25 hours
per year. Therefore, the  Emissions Durability Period
of an engine with an  intermediate rating would equate
to 10 to 12 years.
Certain Briggs & Stratton engines will be certified to
meet the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) Phase 2 emission standards. For
Phase 2 certified engines, the Emissions Compliance
Period referred to on the Emissions Compliance label
indicates the number of operating hours for which the
engine has been shown to meet Federal emission
requirements.
For engines less than 225 cc displacement.
Category C = 125 hours
Category B = 250 hours
Category A = 500 hours
For engines of 225 cc or more displacement.
Category C = 250 hours
Category B = 500 hours
Category A = 1000 hours. 
						

							
14
Engine Maintenance
Regular maintenance will improve the performance and
extend the life of the engine. See any Authorized Briggs
& Stratton Dealer for service. Use only genuine
Briggs & Stratton parts. Other parts may not
perform as well, may damage the engine, and may
result in injury. In addition, use of other parts may void
your warranty.
Emission Control
Maintenance, replacement or repair of the emission
control devices and systems may be performed by
any nonroad engine repair establishment or
individual.  However, to obtain no charge repairs under
the terms and provisions of the Briggs & Stratton
warranty statement, any service or emission control
part repair or replacement must be performed by a
factory authorized dealer. See Emission Warranty
section for details.
Unintentional sparking can result
in fire or electric shock.
Fire or explosion can cause
severe burns or death.
Unintentional start-up can result
in entanglement, traumatic
amputation, or laceration.
Before performing maintenance:
• Disconnect spark plug wire and
keep it away from spark plug.
• Disconnect battery at negative
terminal (only engines with electric
start).
• 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.
• Use only correct tools.
When testing for spark:
• Use approved spark plug tester.
• Do not check for spark with spark
plug removed.
WARNING
Follow the instructions and schedules indicated below.
Clean combustion chamber
Task
Perform task at hourly
or calendar interval, 
whichever comes first.
Check Oil Level
Inspect spark arrester (if equipped)
Clean air cooling system ** Replace spark
plug
Change Oil *
Service foam air cleaner element **
*Change oil after first 5 to 8 hours of use , then every 50 hours or every season. Change oil every 25 hours
when operating the engine under heavy load or in high temperatures.
 ** Clean more often under dusty conditions or when airborne debris is prese\
nt. Replace air cleaner parts, if very dirty.
 *** On string trimmer applications: − clean debris at each refueling, sooner if needed 
(see  CLEANING DEBRIS  section);− have qualified technician clean air cooling system every 30 hours, ever\
y
season, or sooner if needed, especially in high debris conditions (see \
 AIR COOLING SYSTEM section). 
						

							
15
Air Cleaner
All engines have an air cleaner cartridge. The cartridge
is either flat or oval (see illustrations). In addition, some
engines have a pre-cleaner.CAUTION
Do not use pressurized air or solvents to clean
cartridge. Pressurized air can damage cartridge;
solvents will dissolve cartridge.
Pre-cleaner
To clean pre-cleaner (if equipped), separate it from
cartridge and wash in liquid detergent and water. Air dry
thoroughly. Do not oil. Re-assemble dry pre-cleaner on
clean cartridge.
 Flat Air Cleaner
1. Loosen screw and tilt cover down.
2. Remove air filter.
3. Install new filter with the lip of pre-cleaner
  , if
equipped, at bottom of cartridge pleats.
  
4. Insert cover’s tabs into slots in bottom of base.
5. Tilt cover up into place and tighten screw.


Oval Air Cleaner
1. Loosen two screws   and lift off cover.
2. Remove air cleaner cartridge
   and pre-cleaner
 if equipped, carefully from base to ensure no
debris falls into engine.
3. Place new pre-cleaner on cartridge and re-install new cartridge assembly securely into base.
4. Place cover over air cleaner and tighten screws.



Spark Plug
Check the spark plug every 100 hours. Replace the
spark plug if upon inspection the electrodes 
 are
burned or worn. Ensure the spark plug is clean. Check
the gap
   with a feeler gage  and reset to .51 mm or
0.20 in. if necessary. 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
engine was originally equipped with resistor
spark plug, use same type for replacement.

 
						

							
16
Combustion Deposits
We recommend that after every 100-300 hours you have an authorized Briggs \
& Stratton Service Dealer remove
combustion deposits from the cylinder, cylinder head, top of piston, and around valves.
Muffler
Replacement parts for the muffler must be the same
and installed in the same position as the original parts,
otherwise fire can occur.
WARNING
Fuel System
Drain fuel tank or close fuel shut-off valve before
replacing fuel filter. Otherwise, fuel can leak out
creating a fire/explosion hazard.
Replacement parts for fuel system (cap, hoses, tanks,
filters, etc.) must be the same as original parts,
otherwise fire can occur.
WARNING
Air Cooling System
Over time debris may accumulate in cylinder cooling fins and cannot be observ\
ed without partial engine disassembly. For
this reason, we recommend that you have an authorized Briggs & Stratton \
Service Dealer clean the air cooling system
per recommended intervals. Equally important is to keep top of engine fr\
ee from debris. See Cleaning Debris section.
Cleaning Debris
Daily or before every use, clean grass, chaff or
accumulated debris from engine. Keep linkage, spring
and controls clean. Keep area around and behind
muffler free of any combustible debris.
Keeping engine clean allows air movement around
engine. 
Engine parts should be kept clean to reduce the risk of
overheating and ignition of accumulated debris. This is
especially important if cutting tall grass.
On string trimmer applications  clean accumulated
debris at each refueling, sooner if needed.
Clean all areas shown below.
Do not use water to clean engine parts. Water
could contaminate fuel system. Use a brush or dry
cloth.
CAUTION
WARNING
Finger Guard Linkage, Springs
& Controls Muffler Area & Spark Arrester
Carburetor Adjustment
The carburetor on this engine is not adjustable.
Electric Start Engine
Follow equipment manufacturer’s recommendation for
charging battery.
The 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.
WARNING 
						

							
17
Storage
Engines stored over 30 days need special attention.
1. To prevent gum from forming in fuel system or onessential carburetor parts:
a) if fuel tank contains oxygenated or reformulated
gasoline (gasoline blended with an alcohol or an
ether), run engine until it stops from lack of fuel,
or b) if fuel tank contains gasoline, either run engine
until it stops from lack of fuel, or add a gasoline
additive to the gas in the tank. (See parts list.
Single −use pouches of gas additive are available
from your service dealer.) If you use a gas additive,
run the engine for several minutes to circulate the
additive through the carburetor. Then, engine and
fuel can be stored up to 24 months.
2. While engine is still warm, change oil.
3. Remove spark plug and pour about 1/2 oz. (15 ml) of engine oil into cylinder. Replace spark plug and
crank slowly to distribute oil.
4. Clean engine of surface debris, chaff or grass.
5. Store in a clean, dry area. Do not store in same area as a stove, furnace, water heater, or other
appliance that uses a pilot light or has a device
that can create a spark.
When Transporting Equipment:
•Transport with fuel tank EMPTY
or with fuel shut-off valve OFF.
When storing gasoline or
equipment with fuel in tank:
• Store away from furnaces,
stoves, water heaters, or other
appliances that have a pilot light
or other ignition source because
they can ignite gasoline vapors.
WARNING
Service
See an Authorized Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer.
Each one carries a stock of Genuine Briggs & Stratton
Parts and is equipped with special service tools.
Trained mechanics assure expert repair service on all
Briggs & Stratton engines. Only dealers advertising as
“Authorized Briggs & Stratton” are required to meet
Briggs & Stratton standards When you purchase
equipment powered by a Briggs & Stratton  engine, you
are assured of highly skilled, reliable service at more
than 30,000 Authorized Service Dealers worldwide,
including more than 6,000 Master Service Technicians.
Look for these signs wherever Briggs & Stratton service
is offered.
You may locate your nearest Authorized Briggs & Stratton
Service Dealer in our dealer locator map on our web site
www.briggsandstratton.com
or in the “Yellow Pages ” directory under “Engines,
Gasoline” or “Gasoline Engines” or “Lawn Mowers” or
similar category.
™Note: Walking fingers logo and “Yellow Pages” are
registered trademarks in various jurisdictions.
PARTIAL LIST OF 
GENUINE BRIGGS & STRATTON PARTS
PART
PART NO.
Flat air  cleaner cartridge 49158 −or − 5043
. . . . . . . . . . . 
Flat air cleaner pre-cleaner 493537 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Oval air cleaner cartridge 497725 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Oval air pre-cleaner 273185 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Oil 100005  −or − 100028
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Fuel filter 298090  −or − 5018
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Gas additive 5041 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Resistor spark plug 802592 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Standard spark plug 492167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Long life platinum spark plug 5062 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
(used on most L-head engines)
Spark plug wrench 89838 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Spark tester 19368 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Oil pump kit 5056 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
(uses standard electric drill to remove oil from engine
quickly)
An illustrated shop manual includes common
specifications and detailed information covering
adjustment,  tune-up and repair of Briggs & Stratton single
cylinder, L-head, 4 cycle engines. It is available for
purchase from an Authorized Briggs & Stratton Service
Dealer or you can order it from
www.briggsandstratton.com 
						

							
18
Warranty Information
Briggs & Stratton Corporation (B&S), the California Air Resources Board (CARB)and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Emissions Control System Warranty Statement 
(Owner’s Defect Warranty Rights and Obligations)
The California Air Resources Board (CARB), U.S. EPA and
B&S are pleased to explain the Emissions Control System
Warranty on your small off-road engine (SORE). In
California,  new small off-road engines model year 2006 and
later must be designed, built and equipped to meet the
State’s stringent anti-smog standards.
Elsewhere in  the United States,  new non-road, spark-ignition
engines certified for model year 1997 and later must meet
similar standards set forth by the U.S. EPA. B&S must
warrant  the emissions control system on your engine for the periods of time listed below, provided there has been no
abuse, neglect or improper maintenance of your small
off-road engine.
Your emissions control system includes parts such as the
carburetor, air 
cleaner, ignition system, fuel line, muffler and
catalytic converter. Also included may be connectors and
other emissions related assemblies.
Where a warrantable condition exists, B&S will repair your
small off-road engine at no cost to you including diagnosis,
parts and labor.
Briggs & Stratton Emissions Control Defects Warranty Coverage
Small of f-road engines are warranted relative to emissions control parts defects\
 for a period of two years, subject to provisions set
forth below. If any covered part on your engine is defective, the part will be repa\
ired or replaced by B&S.
Owner’s Warranty Responsibilities
As the small off-road engine owner, you are responsible for
the performance of the required maintenance listed in your
Operating and  Maintenance Instructions. B&S recommends
that you retain all your receipts covering maintenance on
your small off-road engine, but B&S cannot deny warranty
solely for  the lack of receipts or for your failure to ensure the
performance of all scheduled maintenance.
As the small off-road engine owner, you should however be
aware that B&S may deny you warranty coverage if your
small off-road engine or a part has failed due to abuse,
neglect, improper maintenance or unapproved
modifications. You are responsible for presenting 
your small off-road engine
to an Authorized B&S Service Dealer as soon as a problem
exists.
The undisputed warranty repairs should be completed in a
reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 30 days.
If you have any questions regarding your warranty rights and
responsibilities, you should contact a B&S Service
Representative at 1-414-259-5262.
The emissions warranty is a defects warranty. Defects are
judged on normal engine performance. The warranty is not
related to an in-use emissions test.
Briggs & Stratton Emissions Control Defects Warranty Provisions
The following are specific provisions relative to your Emissions Control De\
fects Warranty Coverage. It is in addition to the B& S
engine warranty for non-regulated engines found in the Operating and Maintenan\
ce Instructions.
1. Warranted Parts
Coverage under this warranty extends only to the parts
listed  below (the emissions control systems  parts) to the
extent these parts were present on the engine
purchased.
a. Fuel Metering System •Cold start enrichment system
• Carburetor and internal parts
• Fuel Pump
• Fuel line, fuel line fittings, clamps
• Fuel tank, cap and tether
• Carbon canister
b. Air Induction System
•Air cleaner
• Intake manifold
• Purge and vent line
c. Ignition System •Spark plug(s)
• Magneto ignition system
d. Catalyst System •Catalytic converter
• Exhaust manifold
• Air injection system, Pulse valve
e. Miscellaneous Items •Vacuum,  temperature, position, time sensitive
valves and switches
• Connectors and assemblies
2. Length of Coverage
B&S warrants to the initial owner and each subsequent
purchaser that the Warranted  Parts shall be free from
defects in materials and workmanship which caused the
failure of the Warranted Parts for a period of two years
from the date the engine is delivered to a retail purchaser.
3. No Charge
Repair or replacement of any Warranted Part will be performed at no charge to the owner, including
diagnostic labor which leads 
to the determination that a
Warranted Part is defective, if the diagnostic work is
performed at an Authorized B&S Service Dealer. For
emissions warranty service contact your nearest
Authorized B&S Service Dealer as listed in the “Yellow
Pages” under “Engines, Gasoline,” “Gasoline Engines,”
“Lawn Mowers,” or similar category.
4. Claims and Coverage Exclusions Warranty claims shall be filed in accordance with the
provisions of  the B&S Engine W arranty Policy. Warranty
coverage shall be excluded for failures of Warranted
Parts which are not original B&S parts or because of
abuse, neglect or improper maintenance as set forth in
the B&S Engine Warranty Policy. B&S is not liable to
cover failures of Warranted Parts caused by the use of
add-on, non-original, or modified parts.
5. Maintenance Any Warranted Part which is not scheduled for
replacement as required maintenance or which is
scheduled only for regular inspection to the effect of
“repair or replace as necessary” shall be warranted as to
defects for the warranty period. Any Warranted Part which
is scheduled for replacement as required maintenance
shall be warranted as to defects only for the period of time
up to the first scheduled repl acement for that part. Any
replacement part that is e quivalent in performance and
durability may be used in the performance of any
maintenance or repairs. The ow ner is responsible for the
performance of all required maintenance, as defined in
the B&S Operating and Ma intenance Instructions.
6. Consequential Coverage Coverage hereunder shall extend to the failure of any
engine components caused by the failure of any
Warranted Part still under warranty. 
						

							19 LIMITED WARRANTY
Briggs & Stratton Corporation will repair or replace, free of charge, any part(s) of the engine that is defective
in material or workmanship or both. Transportation charges on parts submitted for repair or replacement
under this warranty must be borne by purchaser. This warranty is effective for and is subject to the time
periods and conditions stated below. For warranty service, find the nearest Authorized Service Dealer in
our dealer locator map at www.briggsandstratton.com, or by calling 1-800-233-3723, or as listed in the
‘Yellow Pages™’.
THERE IS NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY. IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED TO ONE YEAR FROM
PURCHASE, OR TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE
EXCLUDED. LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARE EXCLUDED TO THE
EXTENT EXCLUSION IS PERMITTED BY LAW. Some states or countries do not allow limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, and some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state and
country to country.
Effective September 1, 2006
BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE OWNER WARRANTY POLICY
WARRANTY TERMS **
Brand / Product Type Consumer Use Commercial Use
Vanguard2 years 2 years
Extended Life Series 2 years 1 year
I/C, Intek I/C, Intek Pro 2 years 180 days
Kerosene Fuel Operated Engines 1 year 90 days
All Other Briggs & Stratton Engines 2 years 90 days
** Engines used on Home Standby Generator applications are warranted under consumer use only.
This warranty does not apply to engines on equipment used for prime power in place of a utility.
Engines used in competitive racing or on commercial or rental tracks are not warranted.
The warranty period begins on the date of purchase by the first retail consumer or commercial end user, and
continues for the period of time stated in the table above. “Consumer use” means personal residential household use
by a retail consumer. “Commercial use” means all other uses, including use for commercial, income producing or
rental purposes. Once an engine has experienced commercial use, it shall thereafter be considered as a commercial
use engine for purposes of this warranty.
NO WARRANTY REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN WARRANTY ON BRIGGS & STRATTON
PRODUCTS. SAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE RECEIPT. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE PROOF OF THE
INITIAL PURCHASE DATE AT THE TIME WARRANTY SERVICE IS REQUESTED, THE MANUFACTURING
DATE OF THE PRODUCT WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE THE WARRANTY PERIOD.
Briggs & Stratton Engines Are Made Under One Or More Of The Following Patents: Design D-247,177 (Other Patents Pending)
6,691,683
6,647,942
6,622,683
6,615,787
6,617,725
6,603,227
6,595,897
6,595,176
6,584,964
6,557,833
6,542,0746,520,141
6,495,267
6,494,175
6,472,790
6,460,502
6,456,515
6,382,166
6,369,532
6,356,003
6,349,688
6,347,6146,325,036
6,311,663
6,284,123
6,263,852
6,260,529
6,242,828
6,239,709
6,237,555
6,230,678
6,213,083
6,202,6166,145,487
6,142,257
6,135,426
6,116,212
6,105,548
6,347,614
6,082,323
6,077,063
6,064,027
6,040,767
6,014,8086,012,420
5,992,367
5,904,124
5,894,715
5,887,678
5,852,951
5,843,345
5,823,153
5,819,513
5,813,384
5,809,9585,803,035
5,765,713
5,732,555
5,645,025
5,642,701
5,628352
5,619,845
5,606,948
5,606,851
5,605,130
5,497,6795,548,955
5,546,901
5,445,014
5,503,125
5,501,203
5,497,679
5,320,795
5,301,643
5,271,363
5,269,713
5,265,7005,243,878
5,235,943
5,234,038
5,228,487
5,197,426
5,197,425
5,197,422
5,191,864
5,188,069
5,186,142
5,150,6745,138,996
5,086,890
5,070,829
5,058,544
5,040,644
5,009,208
4,996,956
4,977,879
4,977,877
4,971,219
4,895,1194,875,448
4,819,593
4,720,638
4,719,682
4,633,556
4,630,498
4,522,080
4,520,288
4,512,499
4,453,507
4,430,984D 476,629
D 457,891
D 368,187
D 375,963
D 309,457
D 372,871
D 361,771
D 356,951
D 309,457
D 308,872
D 308,871 
						

							
20
Briggs & Stratton welcomes warranty repair and
apologizes to you for being inconvenienced. Any
Authorized Service Dealer may perform warranty
repairs. Most warranty repairs are handled routinely,
but sometimes requests for warranty service may not
be appropriate. For example, warranty would not apply
if engine damage occurred because of misuse, lack of
routine maintenance, shipping, handling, warehousing
or improper installation. Similarly, warranty is void if
the serial number of the engine has been removed or
the engine has been altered or modified.
If a customer differs with the decision of the Service
Dealer, an investigation will be made to determine
whether the warranty applies. Ask the Service Dealer
to submit all supporting facts to his Distributor or the
Factory for review. If the Distributor or the Factory
decides that the claim is justified, the customer will be
fully reimbursed for those items that are defective. To
avoid misunderstanding which might occur between
the customer and the Dealer, listed below are some of
the causes of engine failure that the warranty does not
cover.
Normal wear:
Engines, like all mechanical devices, need periodic
parts service and replacement to perform well.
Warranty will not cover repair when normal use has
exhausted the life of a part or an engine.
Improper maintenance:
The life of an engine depends upon the conditions
under which it operates, and the care it receives.
Some applications, such as tillers, pumps and rotary
mowers, are very often used in dusty or dirty
conditions, which can cause what appears to be
premature wear. Such wear, when caused by dirt,
dust, spark plug cleaning grit, or other abrasive
material that has entered the engine because of
improper maintenance, is not covered by warranty.
This warranty covers engine related defective
material and/or workmanship only
, and not
replacement or refund of the equipment to which
the engine may be mounted. Nor does the
warranty extend to repairs required because of:
1. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY PARTS THAT ARE NOT ORIGINAL BRIGGS & STRATTON PARTS.
2. Equipment controls or installations that prevent starting, cause unsatisfactory engine performance,
or shorten engine life. (Contact equipment
manufacturer.)
3. Leaking carburetors, clogged fuel pipes, sticking valves, or other damage, caused by using
contaminated or stale fuel. (Use clean, fresh,
lead-free gasoline and Briggs & Stratton Fuel
Stabilizer, Part No. 5041.) 4. Parts which are scored or broken because an
engine was operated with insufficient or
contaminated lubricating oil, or an incorrect grade
of lubricating oil (check oil level daily or after every
8 hours of operation. Refill when necessary and
change at recommended intervals.) OIL GARD ®
may not shut down running engine. Engine
damage may occur if oil level is not properly
maintained. Read Operating & Maintenance
Instructions.
5. Repair or adjustment of associated parts or assemblies such as clutches, transmissions,
remote controls, etc., which are not manufactured
by Briggs & Stratton.
6. Damage or wear to parts caused by dirt, which entered the engine because of improper air
cleaner maintenance, re-assembly, or use of a
non-original air cleaner element or cartridge. (At
recommended intervals, clean and re-oil the
Oil-Foam
 element or the foam pre-cleaner, and
replace the cartridge.) Read Operating &
Maintenance Instructions.
7. Parts damaged by over-speeding, or overheating caused by grass, debris, or dirt, which plugs or
clogs the cooling fins, or flywheel area, or damage
caused by operating the engine in a confined area
without sufficient ventilation. (Clean fins on the
cylinder, cylinder head and flywheel at
recommended intervals.) Read Operating &
Maintenance Instructions.
8. Engine or equipment parts broken by excessive vibration caused by a loose engine mounting,
loose cutter blades, unbalanced blades or loose or
unbalanced impellers, improper attachment of
equipment to engine crankshaft, over-speeding or
other abuse in operation.
9. A bent or broken crankshaft, caused by striking a solid object with the cutter blade of a rotary lawn
mower, or excessive v-belt tightness.
10. Routine tune-up or adjustment of the engine.
11. Engine or engine component failure, i.e., combustion chamber, valves, valve seats, valve
guides, or burned starter motor windings, caused
by the use of alternate fuels such as, liquified
petroleum, natural gas, altered gasolines, etc.
Warranty is available only through service dealers
which have been authorized by Briggs & Stratton
Corporation. your nearest Authorized Service
Dealer is listed in the “Yellow Pages ™” of your
telephone directory under “Engines, Gasoline” or
“Gasoline Engines,” “Lawn Mowers,” or similar
category.
ABOUT YOUR ENGINE WARRANTY