Briggs & Stratton 204730GS Operator's Manual page 23

4. Replace spark plugs if electrodes are pitted, burned or
porcelain is cracked. Use the recommended
replacement spark plugs. See Specifications.
5. Install spark plugs and tighten firmly.
Service Spark Arrester
The engine exhaust muffler has a spark arrester screen.
Inspect and clean the screen every 50 hours of operation or
once each year, whichever comes first.
If you use your generator on any forest-covered, brush-
covered, or grass-covered unimproved land, it must have a
spark arrester. The spark arrester must be maintained in
good condition by the owner/ operator.
WARNING
Contact with muffler area can result in serious
burns.
Exhaust heat/ gases can ignite combustibles,
structures or damage fuel tank causing a fire.
• DO NOT touch hot parts and AVOID hot exhaust gases.
• Allow equipment to cool before touching.
• Keep at least 5 feet (1.5 m) of clearance on all sides of
generator including overhead.
• Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 36 Parks, Forests, and
Public Property require equipment powered by an internal
combustion engine to have a spark arrester, maintained in
effective working order, complying to USDA Forest service
standard 5100-1C or later revision. In the State of California a
spark arrester is required under section 4442 of the California
Public resources code. Other states may have similar laws.
Clean and inspect the spark arrester as follows:
1. Remove four screws that attach the spark arrester
screen.
2. Inspect screen and replace if torn, perforated or
otherwise damaged. DO NOT USE a defective screen. If
screen is not damaged, clean it with commercial
solvent.
3. Reattach the screen with four screws.
Clean Cooling System
Over time debris may accumulate in cylinder cooling fins and
cannot be observed without partial engine disassembly. For
this reason, we recommend you have an authorized service
dealer clean the cooling system per recommended intervals
(see Maintenance Schedule in the Maintenance section).
Equally important is to keep top of engine free from debris.
Also see Cleaning.
Check Valve Clearance
Regular valve clearance check and adjustment will improve
performance and extend engine life. This procedure cannot
be done without partial engine disassembly and the use of
special tools. For this reason we recommend that you have
an authorized Service Dealer check and adjust valve
clearance at recommended intervals (see Maintenance
Schedule in the Maintenance section).
Carburetor Adjustment
The carburetor on this engine is low emission. It is equipped
with a non-adjustable idle mixture valve. Top speed has been
set at the factory. If adjustment is required, see an
authorized service dealer.
CAUTION
Excessively high operating speeds increase risk of injury
and damage to generator.
Excessively low speeds impose a heavy load.
• DO NOT tamper with governed speed. Generator supplies
correct rated frequency and voltage when running at governed
speed.
• DO NOT modify generator in any way.
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