Maintenance Schedule; Electronic Fuel Injection (Efi) System; Servicing The Spark Plug - Briggs & Stratton VANGUARD 540000 Operator's Manual

technician. However, for "no charge" emissions control service, the work must be done
by a factory authorized dealer. Refer to the Emissions Control Statements.

Maintenance Schedule

Intervals of 8 Hours or Daily
• Check the engine oil level.
• Clean the area around the muffler and controls.
Intervals of 100 Hours or Annually
•
Clean or replace the air filter
•
Clean the pre-cleaner (if installed)
• Change the engine oil and filter.
• Replace the oil filter (if installed).
• Replace the spark plugs.
• Check the muffler and spark arrester (if installed).
• Service the exhaust system.
Intervals of 250 Hours or Annually
• Check the valve clearance. Adjust if necessary.
Intervals of 400 Hours or Annually
•
2
Change the air filter .
• Replace the fuel filter, if installed.
•
Service the air cooling system
• 1
Clean the oil cooler fins .
Intervals of 600 Hours
• Replace the safety filter, if installed.
1
Clean more frequently in dusty conditions or when many particles are in the air..
2
Every third air filter change, replace the inner safety filter (if installed).

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) System

The EFI System monitors engine temperature, engine speed, and battery voltage for
engine start-up and warm-up. There are no adjustments on the system. If start-up or
operation problems occur, contact a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Service Dealer.
NOTICE Make sure to obey the steps that follow or damage to the EFI system could
occur.
• DO NOT start the engine if the battery cables are loose.
• Turn the key to the OFF position before you disconnect, remove, and / or install
the battery.
• DO NOT use a battery charger to start the engine.
• DO NOT disconnect the battery cables during engine operation.
• When you disconnect the battery cables, first connect the positive (+) cable, and
then connect the negative (-) cable to the battery.
• When you charge the battery, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, and
disconnect the negative (-) battery cable from the battery.
• DO NOT spray water directly on the Electronic Control Module.
Carburetor and Engine Speed
Do not make adjustments to the carburetor or engine speed. The carburetor was
set at the factory to operate satisfactorily in most conditions. Do not change the
governor spring, linkages, or other parts to adjust the engine speed. If adjustments
are necessary, contact a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Service Dealer for servicing.
NOTICE
The equipment manufacturer specifies the maximum speed for the engine as installed
on the equipment. Do not exceed this speed. If you are not sure what the equipment
maximum speed is, or what the engine speed is set to from the factory, contact a Briggs
& Stratton Authorized Service Dealer for assistance. For safe and correct operation
of the equipment, the engine speed should only be adjusted by a qualified service
technician.

Servicing the Spark Plug

Check the spark plug gap (A, Figure 10) with a wire gauge (B). If necessary, set the
spark plug gap. Install and tighten the spark plug to the correct torque. For gap and
torque specifications, refer to the Specifications section.
8
1, 2
.
1
1
.
NOTE: In some areas, it is mandatory by local law that you use a resistor spark plug
to decrease ignition signals. If a resistor spark plug was installed by the equipment
manufacturer, use the same type for replacement.
Servicing the Exhaust System
WARNING
During operation, the engine and muffler become hot. If you touch a hot engine,
thermal burns can occur.
Combustible materials, such as leaves, grass and brush, can catch fire.
• Before you touch the engine or muffler, stop the engine and wait two (2)
minutes. Make sure that the engine and muffler are safe to touch.
• Remove debris from the muffler and engine.
It is a violation of California Public Resource Code, Section 4442, to use or operate the
engine on any forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the exhaust
system is equipped with a spark arrester, as defined in section 4442, maintained in
effective working order. Other states or federal jurisdictions may have similar laws;
reference Federal Regulation 36 CFR Part 261.52. Contact the original equipment
manufacturer, retailer, or dealer to obtain a spark arrester designed for the exhaust
system installed on this engine.
Remove debris from the muffler and cylinder area. Inspect the muffler for cracks,
corrosion, or other damage. Remove the deflector or the spark arrester, if equipped, and
inspect for damage or carbon blockage. If damage is found, install the replacement parts
before you operate the equipment.
WARNING
Replacement parts must be of the same design and installed in the same position as the
original parts. Other parts could result in damage or an injury.
Change Engine Oil
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in
burns or death.
During operation, the engine and muffler become hot. If you touch a hot engine,
thermal burns can occur.
• If you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube, the fuel tank must be empty. If it is not
empty, fuel leakage can occur and cause a fire or an explosion.
• Before you touch the engine or muffler, stop the engine and wait two (2)
minutes. Make sure that the engine and muffler are safe to touch.
Used oil is a hazardous waste product and must be discarded of correctly. Do not
discard with household waste. Contact your local authorities, service center, or dealer
for safe disposal or recycling facilities.
Remove Oil
1. With engine OFF but warm, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) (D, Figure 11), and
keep it away from the spark plug(s)(E).
2. Remove the dipstick (A, Figure 12).
3. Remove the oil drain plug (F, Figure 13). Drain the oil into an approved container.
4. Install and tighten the oil drain plug (F, Figure 13).
Change the Oil Filter
1. Drain the oil from the engine. Refer to the Remove Oil section.
2. Remove the oil filter (H, Figure 14) and discard correctly.
3. Before you install the new oil filter, lightly lubricate the oil filter gasket with clean oil.
4. Install the oil filter by hand until the gasket touches the oil filter adapter, then tighten
the oil filter 1/2 to 3/4 turns.
5. Add oil. Refer to the Add Oil section.
6. Start and operate the engine. When the engine is warm, do a check for oil leaks.
7. Stop the engine. Make sure that oil level is at the top of the full indicator on the
dipstick. Refer to the Add Oil section.
Add Oil
• Make sure the engine is level.
• Clean the oil fill area of all debris.
• Refer to the Specifications section for oil capacity.
1. Remove the dipstick (A, Figure 12). Remove oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth.
2. Slowly add oil into the engine oil fill (C, Figure 12). Do not overfill. Wait one
minute and then check the oil level.
3. Install and tighten the dipstick (A, Figure 12).
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