Servicing The Fuel System; Servicing The Air Filter - Briggs & Stratton VANGUARD 490000 Operator's Manual

2. After the oil has drained, install and tighten the oil drain plug (F, Figure 15).
Quick Oil Drain, if installed
1. Disconnect the quick oil drain hose (H, Figure 16) from the side of the engine.
2. Turn and remove the oil drain cap (I, Figure 16). Carefully lower the quick oil drain
(H) into an approved container (J).
3. After the oil has drained, install the quick oil drain cap (I, Figure 16). Attach the
quick oil drain hose (H) to the side of the engine.
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 17). Remove oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth.
2. Slowly add oil into the engine oil fill (C, Figure 17). Do not put too much oil in the
engine oil fill. Wait one minute and then check the oil level.
NOTE: Do not add oil at the quick oil drain, if equipped.
3. Install and tighten the dipstick (A, Figure 17).
4. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. The correct oil level is at the top of the
full indicator (B, Figure 17) on the dipstick.
5. Install and tighten the dipstick (A, Figure 17).
6. Connect the spark plug wire(s) to the spark plug(s). See Remove Oil section.
Change the Oil Filter
1. Drain the oil from the engine. Refer to the Remove Oil section.
2. Remove the oil filter (H, Figure 18) 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.

Servicing the Air Filter

WARNING
Fuel vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in burns
or death.
• Do not start and operate the engine with the air cleaner assembly (if equipped)
or the air filter (if equipped) removed.
NOTICE
Do not use pressurized air or solvents to clean the filter. Pressurized air could result in
damage to the filter and solvents will dissolve the filter.
See the Maintenance Schedule for service requirements.
Different models will use a foam or a paper filter. Some models could also have an
optional pre-cleaner that can be washed and used again. Compare the illustrations in
this manual with the type installed on your engine and service as follows.
Cyclonic Air Filter with Safety Filter
1. Open the fastener(s) (A, Figure 19) and remove the cover (B).
2. Remove the air filter (C, Figure 19).
3. To loosen debris, lightly tap the air filter on a hard surface. If the air filter is dirty,
replace it with a new air filter.
4. To remove the safety filter (D, Figure 19), if installed, carefully pull it away from the
air cleaner body (E). Make sure that dirt or debris does not go into the engine.
5. Install the new safety filter (D, Figure 19) in the air cleaner body (E).
6. Install the air filter (C, Figure 19) above the safety filter (D).
7. Install the cover (B, Figure 19) and close the fastener(s) (A).
Low Profile Air Filter
1. Loosen the fastener(s) (A, Figure 20).
2. Remove the air filter cover (B, Figure 20).
3. To remove the filter, (C, Figure 20), lift the end of the filter.
4. To loosen debris, lightly tap the filter on a hard surface. If the filter is dirty, replace it
with a new filter.
5. Remove the pre-cleaner (D, Figure 20), if equipped, from the filter (C).
10
6. Clean the pre-cleaner (D, Figure 20), if equipped, in liquid detergent and water. Let
the pre-cleaner to fully air dry. DO NOT lubricate the pre-cleaner.
7. Assemble the dry pre-cleaner (D, Figure 20), if equipped, to the filter (C).
8. Install the filter (C, Figure 20) and pre-cleaner (D), if equipped, into the filter base
(E), and push down until the filter snaps into position.
9. Install the air filter cover (B, Figure 20) and attach with fastener(s) (A). Make sure
the fastener(s) is tight.

Servicing the Fuel System

WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion could result in
burns or death.
• Keep fuel away from sparks, open flames, pilot lights, heat, and other ignition
sources.
• Frequently examine the fuel lines, fuel tank, fuel cap, and connections for cracks
or leaks. Replace damaged parts.
• Before you clean or replace the fuel filter, drain the fuel tank or close the fuel
shut-off valve.
• If fuel spills, wait until it dries before you start the engine.
• 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.
Fuel Filter, if installed
1. Before you clean or replace the fuel filter (A, Figure 21), drain the fuel tank or close
the fuel shut-off valve. If the fuel tank is not drained, fuel leakage could occur and
cause a fire or explosion.
2. Use pliers to squeeze tabs (B, Figure 21) on the clamps (C), then move the clamps
away from the fuel filter (A). Twist and pull the fuel lines (D) off of the fuel filter.
3. Examine the fuel lines (D, Figure 21) for cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary.
4. Replace the fuel filter (A, Figure 21) with an original equipment replacement filter.
5. Attach the fuel lines (D, Figure 21) with clamps (C).
Service the Cooling System
WARNING
During operation, the engine and muffler become hot. If you touch a hot engine,
thermal burns can occur.
Combustible debris, 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.
NOTICE
Do not use water to clean the engine. Water could cause contamination of the fuel
system. Use a brush or dry cloth to clean the engine.
This is an air cooled engine. Dirt or debris can stop the airflow and cause the engine to
become too hot and result in unsatisfactory performance and decreased engine life.
Models with Cyclonic Air Filter System
1. Use a brush or dry cloth to remove debris from the air intake area (A, Figure 22).
2. Keep linkage, springs, and controls (B, Figure 22) clean.
3. Keep the area around and behind the muffler free of combustible debris.
4. Make sure the oil cooler fins (C, Figure 22) are free of dirt and debris.
5. Loosen the fasteners (D, Figure 23) and remove the air intake grille (E). To get
access to all the fasteners, if necessary, remove fasteners (H) and air filter strap (J).
Pivot the air filter (K) to get access to the fastener.
6. Loosen the fasteners (F, Figure 23) and open the debris access panels (G).
Remove grass and debris on the cylinders.
7. Close the debris access panels (G, Figure 23) and attach with the fasteners (F).
8. Install air filter strap (J, Figure 23) and attach with fasteners (H).
9. Install the air intake grille (E, Figure 23) and attach with the fasteners (D).
After a period of time, debris can collect in the cylinder cooling fins and cause the engine
to overheat. You cannot remove debris without partial disassembly of the engine. Make
sure that a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer inspect and clean the air cooling system
as recommended in the Maintenance Schedule.
Models with Low Profile Air Filter System
1. Use a brush or dry cloth to remove debris from the air intake area (A, Figure 24).
2. Keep linkage, springs, and controls (B, Figure 24) clean.
3. Keep the area around and behind the muffler free of combustible debris.
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