Battery Maintenance; Fuel Valve Maintenance; Engine Maintenance - Briggs & Stratton 203985GS Operator's Manual

Battery Maintenance

Other than float charging, described elsewhere, no
maintenance is required for the starting battery. Keep the
battery and terminals clean and dry.
IMPORTANT: Battery charging should be performed in a dry
location, such as inside a garage.

Fuel Valve Maintenance

The fuel valve is equipped with a fuel sediment cup, screen,
retaining ring and o-ring that need to be cleaned every
100 hours or once a year (whichever occurs first).
1. Move fuel valve to "Off" position.
2. Remove sediment cup (A) from fuel valve. Remove
o-ring (B), retaining ring (C) and screen (D) from fuel
valve.
D
C
B
A
3. Wash sediment cup, o-ring, retaining ring, and screen
in a nonflammable solvent. Dry them thoroughly.
4. Place screen, retaining ring, and o-ring into fuel valve.
Install sediment cup and tighten securely.
5. Move fuel valve to "On" position, and check for leaks.
Replace o-ring if there is any leakage.
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Engine Maintenance

WARNING
Unintentional sparking can result in fire or
electric shock.
WHEN ADJUSTING OR MAKING REPAIRS TO YOUR GENERATOR
• Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and place
the wire where it cannot contact spark plug.
WHEN TESTING FOR ENGINE SPARK
• Use approved spark plug tester.
• DO NOT check for spark with spark plug removed.
Oil
Oil Recommendations
We recommend the use of Briggs & Stratton Warranty
Certified oils for best performance. Other high-quality
detergent oils are acceptable if classified for service SF, SG,
SH, SJ or higher. DO NOT use special additives.
Outdoor temperatures determine the proper oil viscosity for
the engine. Use the chart to select the best viscosity for the
outdoor temperature range expected.
* Below 40°F (4°C) the use of SAE 30 will result in hard starting.
** Above 80°F (27°C) the use of 10W30 may cause increased oil
consumption. Check oil level more frequently.
NOTE: Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC GF-2, API
certification mark and API service symbol with
"SJ/ CF ENERGY CONSERVING" or higher, is an
acceptable oil at all temperatures. Use of synthetic
oil does not alter required oil change intervals.
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