Oil Recommendations; Fuel Recommendations - Briggs & Stratton 85400 Operating & Maintenance Instructions

Oil Recommendations

Engine shipped from Briggs & Stratton without oil.
Before starting engine, fill with oil. Do not over fill.
Use a high quality detergent oil classified For Service
SF, SG, SH, SJ" or higher such as Briggs & Stratton
30W, Part Number 100005 (20 oz.) or 100028 (48 oz.).
Use no special additives with recommended oils. Do
not mix oil with gasoline.
Choose the SAE viscosity grade of oil from this chart
that matches the starting temperature anticipated
before the next oil change.
Note: Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC
GF 2, API certification mark and API ser
vice symbol (shown at left) 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.
* Air cooled engines run hotter than automotive
engines. The use of non synthetic multi viscosity
oils (5W 30, 10W 30, etc.)in temperatures above
40° F (4° C) will result in higher than normal oil
consumption. When using a multi viscosity oil,
check oil level more frequently.
** SAE 30 oil, if used below 40° F (4° C), will result
in hard starting and possible engine bore
damage due to inadequate lubrication.
Check oil level (approximate capacities)
Model Series Liters Quarts
85400 0.6
1154, 1174, 1184 0.7
138400 0.9
185400 1.2 1 1/4
235400 & 245400 1.5 1 5/8
Place engine level and clean around oil fill
Remove dipstick and wipe with clean cloth. Insert
dipstick in oil fill - tighten down if high oil fill
Ì
not tighten down if low oil fill - remove dipstick to
check oil level. Oil should be at FULL mark
If oil is required, add slowly. Do not over fill. Tighten
dipstick firmly before starting engine.

Fuel Recommendations

Use clean, fresh, lead free gasoline with a minimum of
85 octane. Leaded gasoline may be used if it is
commercially available and if unleaded is unavailable.
Purchase fuel in quantity that can be used within 30
days. See Storage.
In U.S.A. leaded gasoline may not be used. Some
fuels, called oxygenated or reformulated gasolines, are
gasolines blended with alcohols or ethers. Excessive
amounts of these blends can damage the fuel system
or cause performance problems. If any undesirable
operating symptoms occur, use gasoline with a lower
percentage of alcohol or ether.
This engine is certified to operate on gasoline. Exhaust
Emission Control System: EM (Engine Modifications).
Do not use gasoline which contains Methanol. Do not
mix oil with gasoline.
For engine protection, we recommend using Briggs &
Stratton Fuel Stabilizer available from an Authorized
Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer.
Check fuel level.

(see fig. )
Clean around fuel fill before removing cap to refuel. Fill
tank to approximately 1 1/2 inches below top of neck to
allow for fuel expansion. Be careful not to overfill.
Starting
Start, store and fuel equipment in level position.
Check oil level.
Open fuel shut off valve, if equipped.
OIL GARD
If engine is equipped with OIL GARD, and if engine
runs low on oil, light in rocker stop switch warns of low
oil level. If light flickers and engine cannot be started, or
has stopped and cannot be restarted, add oil. Fill to
FULL mark on dipstick. Do not over fill.
Before starting (see fig.
1. Move choke control
2. Move throttle control
3. Turn fuel shut off valve
Ounces
4. Move stop control
Note: If engine is equipped with Oil Gard, flickering
5/8 20
light in rocker stop switch
3/4 24
engine will stop and not be able to be restarted. Add oil.
1 30
Fill to FULL mark on dipstick. Do not over fill.
41
Rewind starter, if equipped (see fig.
51
Ê
.
Ë
, but do
necessary with choke in RUN position and throttle in
FAST. When engine starts, operate in FAST position.
Í
.
Electric starter, if equipped (see fig.
On engines equipped with 12 volt starting systems, turn
Ê
key to START position. Repeat if necessary with
throttle control in FAST position. When engine starts,
operate in FAST position.
Note: If equipment manufacturer has supplied battery,
charge it before trying to start engine, as equipment
manufacturer recommends.
Note: Use short starting cycles (15 secs. per min.) to
prolong starter life. Extended cranking can damage
starter motor.
Stopping
Do not move choke control to CHOKE position to stop
engine. Backfire or engine damage may occur. Move
throttle control
equipped. Then turn key
Ì
control to OFF position. Close fuel shut off valve
Note: Always remove key from switch when equipment
is not in use or left unattended.
Note: When engine is transported, close fuel shut off
valve to prevent leakage.
Before refueling, allow
engine to cool 2 minutes.

(see figs. )
ALWAYS KEEP HANDS AND FEET
CLEAR OF EQUIPMENT MOVING
PARTS.
Do not use a pressurized starting
fluid. Vapors are flammable.

)
Ê
to CHOKE position.
Ë
to FAST position.
Ì
on, if equipped.
Í
to ON position, if equipped.
Í
will warn of low oil level or

)
Grasp rope handle and pull slowly until
resistance is felt. Then pull cord rapid
ly to overcome compression, prevent
kickback and start engine. Repeat if

)

(see fig. )
Ê
to IDLE or SLOW position, if
Ë
to OFF or move stop
3
Adjustments
it before adjusting, and disconnect battery at negative
terminal, if equipped.
Throttle control adjustments (see fig.
Manual friction throttle control
If adjustment is required, loosen or tighten lock nut
Ì
until throttle control moves easily, but stays in set
position.
Fixed governor control
Adjustable governor control has been set to permit top
no load rpm specified by equipment manufacturer. If
adjustment is required, consult any Briggs & Stratton
Authorized Service Dealer.
Carburetor adjustment
The manufacturer of the equipment on which
this engine is installed specifies top speed at
which the engine will be operated. DO NOT
EXCEED this speed.
See an Authorized Briggs & Stratton Dealer for
carburetor adjustment.
Start engine and warm up approximately 5 minutes
before adjusting. With engine running, place throttle
control in SLOW position. Rotate carburetor throttle lever
against the idle speed screw and hold it. Turn idle speed
screw to obtain 1300 rpm. While still holding carburetor
throttle lever against idle speed screw, turn idle mixture
valve with limiter cap midway between limits. Release
carburetor throttle lever.
Adjust governed idle speed screw to 1400 rpm. Move
throttle control to FAST position. Engine should acceler
ate smoothly. If it does not, adjust carburetor idle mixture
valve counterclockwise 1/8 turn.
(If Top Speed requires adjustment, see equipment
manufacturer's specifications.)
TOP SPEED
SCREW
GOVERNED
IDLE SPEED
SCREW
CARBURETOR
THROTTLE
LEVER
IDLE MIXTURE
VALVE WITH
LIMITER CAP
IDLE SPEED
SCREW
IDLE MIXTURE VALVE
CARBURETOR
THROTTLE
LEVER
IDLE SPEED
SCREW
Í
.
MODEL SERIES 118400
To prevent acci
dental starting, re
move spark plug
wire Ê and ground

)
Ë
WITH LIMITER CAP