Tecumseh Engine OV490EA Operators Manual

Operator’s Manual
Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT NOTICE! Safety Definitions ........................................ ii
I. General Safety Precautions.............................................................. 1
II. How to Get Service........................................................................... 3
III. Oil and Fuel Specifications ............................................................... 3
IV. Before Starting Your Engine...

Page iiFour-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Safety Definitions
Statements in this manual preceded by the following words 
and graphics are of special significance:
Or
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation 
which if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
 NOTE
Refers to important information and is placed in italic type.
It is recommended that you take special notice of all items 
discussed on the next two pages and wear the...

181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 1
I. General Safety Precautions
!
WARNING
A. Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains 
carbon monoxide, a deadly 
gas. Breathing carbon 
monoxide can cause 
headaches, dizziness, 
drowsiness, nausea, confusion 
and eventually death.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas 
which may be present even if you do not see or smell any 
engine exhaust. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can 
collect rapidly and...

Page 2Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14
E. Do Not Modify Engine
To avoid serious injury or death, DO NOT modify engine in 
any way. Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a 
runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. 
NEVER tamper with factory setting of engine governor.
!
WARNING
F. Avoid Burns and Fire from Hot Surfaces
The muffler and other engine parts become 
extremely hot during operation and remain 
hot after the engine has stopped. 
• To avoid...

181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 3
II. How to Get Service
For engine adjustments, repairs or warranty service not 
covered in this manual, contact your nearest Authorized 
Tecumseh Servicing Dealer. Find them on our website at 
www.TecumsehPower.com or call Tecumseh Power 
Company at 1-800-558-5402.
A. Engine Identification Decal
A sample engine identification decal (See Figure 4.) 
indicates the engine’s model number, specification of 
engine and the date of manufacture...

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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).
IV. Before Starting Your Engine
A. Checking Oil Level
To...

181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 5
B. Filling Oil Sump
1. Be sure engine is upright and level.
2. Unscrew oil fill cap from oil filler tube and wipe dipstick 
clean. See Figure 7.
3. Screw oil fill cap back into oil filler tube. Tighten 
securely.
4. Unscrew and remove oil fill cap from oil filler tube. Note 
oil level. If oil reading on dipstick is below “ADD” mark, 
slowly add oil to reach “FULL” level. See Figure 6.
5. Screw oil fill cap back into oil filler tube....

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V. Starting Your Engine
An adult should start the engine. 
Only allow children to start engine if 
an adult has determined they are experienced and capable 
of such operation.
If you are unable to start this engine 
after following instructions in this 
manual, contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing 
Dealer. To avoid serious burn injuries or damage to your 
engine, DO NOT attempt to start or troubleshoot this engine 
in any other...

181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 7
II. Independent Speed and Choke Controls
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure 
engine is outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
2. Move engine speed control to “FAST” position and set 
choke control to “FULL” position (see equipment manu-
facturer’s instructions). See Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12.
 NOTES
Generator and Water Pump applications may have the 
choke lever mounted on the engine. See Figure 12. 
If restarting a warm...

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B. Engines with Recoil Starters
If you have an electric starter see A. Engines with Electric 
Starters instructions on page 6. Only one of the following 
two sections will apply to your engine. See Table 4. 
I. Combined Speed and Choke Control
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, be sure engine is 
outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
2. Move combined control to “CHOKE” or “START” posi-
tion, if present (see equipment manufacturer’s...