Servicing The Spark Plug; Change Engine Oil; Servicing The Air Filter - Briggs & Stratton 120000 Operator's Manual

• Replace the spark plug(s).
• Replace the air filter.
• Replace the pre-cleaner (if installed).
• Replace fuel filter (if installed).
• Service the fuel system.
•
1
Service the cooling system .
•
2
Check the valve clearance .
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Clean more frequently in dusty conditions or when many particles are in the air.
2
Not necessary unless engine performance problems occur.
Carburetor and Engine Speed
Do not make adjustments to the carburetor, 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 Exhaust and Cooling Systems
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.
This is an air cooled engine. Dirt or unwanted material can prevent air flow and cause
the engine to become too hot. This results in unsatisfactory performance and decreases
the life of the engine. The cylinder cooling fins can collect unwanted material that cannot
be remove without partial disassembly of the engine. Make sure that a Briggs & Stratton
Authorized Service Dealer examines and cleans the air cooling system. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule.
1. Make sure that no combustible materials are around and behind the muffler.
2. Use a brush or dry cloth to remove all unwanted material from the blower housing
cover, muffler and cylinder area. DO NOT use water to clean the engine.
3. Make sure that the linkage, springs, and controls are clean.
4. Examine the muffler for cracks, corrosion, or other damage.
5. Remove the deflector or the spark arrester, if installed, and examine for damage or
carbon blockage. Make sure that you clean or install the replacement parts before
you operate the equipment.

Servicing the Spark Plug

Check the spark plug gap (A, Figure 9) 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.

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.
™
For Just Check & Add models, an oil change is not necessary. If an oil change is
necessary, refer to the procedure that follows.
Remove Oil
1. With engine off but warm, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) (D, Figure 10) and keep
it away from the spark plug(s) (E).
2. Remove the dipstick (A, Figure 5).
3. Remove the oil drain plug (F, Figure 11). Drain the oil into an approved container.
NOTE: One of the oil drain plugs could be installed in the engine.
4. After the oil has drained, install and tighten the oil drain plug (F, Figure 11).
5. When you drain the oil from the top oil fill tube (C, Figure 12), keep the spark plug
(E) end of the engine up. Drain the oil into an approved container.
Change Oil Filter, if installed
1. Drain the oil from the engine. Refer to the Remove Oil section.
2. Remove the oil filter (G, Figure 13) 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 Check and Add Oil.
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 5). Remove oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth.
2. Slowly add oil into the engine oil fill (C, Figure 5). Do not overfill. Wait one minute
and then check the oil level.
3. Install and tighten the dipstick (A, Figure 5).
4. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. The correct oil level is at the top of the
full indicator (B, Figure 5) on the dipstick.
5. Install and tighten the dipstick (A, Figure 5).
6. Connect the spark plug wire(s) to the spark plug(s). See Remove 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 servicing requirements.
Different models will use a foam or a paper filter. Some models could also have an
optional pre-cleaner that can be cleaned and used again. Compare the illustrations in
this manual with the type installed on your engine and service as follows.
Foam Air Filter
1. Loosen or remove the fastener(s) (A, Figure 14), if installed.
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