Engine Manual

11
OPERATION
5. If equipped, Prime 3 - 5 times.
• Make sure you cover the vent hole with your thumb.
• Hold the primer bulb in for one full second each time you
press it.
NOTE: DO NOT use the primer bulb to restart a warm engine
after a short shutdown. Doing so will flood the engine and
may result in difficulty starting.
NOTE: If restarting a warm engine after a short shutdown,
move the engine speed control (if equipped) to the “FAST”
position and move the choke control to the “NO CHOKE”
position.
WARNING
When pulling the recoil starter, the handle may
unexpectedly jerk back toward the engine causing
serious injury. To avoid this risk, carefully follow the
instructions below:
6. Grasp the recoil starter handle.
• Pull handle out slowly until you feel resistance.
• Pull the handle with one rapid full arm stroke.
• Return the handle slowly to the original position, repeat
if necessary.
NOTE: Following the instructions listed in the steps above
avoids potential damage to the recoil mechanism.
NOTE: If the recoil starter handle is frozen and will not
operate the engine, proceed as follows:
• Pull as much rope out of the starter as possible.
• Release the recoil starter handle and let it snap back
against the starter to break up ice; repeat if necessary.
7. If the engine fails to start after 3 attempts repeat steps 5
through 6 and try again.
8. When the engine starts:
• Move the choke control to 1/2 “CHOKE” position until the
engine runs smoothly.
• Next, move the choke control to the “NO CHOKE” position.
NOTE: If the engine starts but falters when the choke control is
moved to the “NO CHOKE” position:
• Momentarily move choke control back to “FULL CHOKE”
position.
• Next, move the choke control to “1/2 CHOKE” position
until engine runs smoothly.
• Finally, move the choke control to the “NO CHOKE”
position.
NOTE: If the engine stops with the choke control in the “NO
CHOKE” position, repeat steps 5-8 to restart the engine.
NOTE: If the engine fails to start after 3 attempts in the “NO
CHOKE” position, move the choke control to “FULL CHOKE”
position and repeat steps 5-8 to restart the engine.
IMPORTANT: If engine does not start after following steps 1
through 8, contact your Authorized MTD Service Dealer. DO NOT
attempt to troubleshoot this engine in any other way.
Stopping the Engine & Short Term Storage
WARNING
To avoid unsupervised equipment operation, especially
by children, NEVER leave the engine running while
unattended. Always turn off the engine after use and
remove the safety key, if equipped.
WARNING
NEVER store the engine with fuel in the fuel tank inside
a building with potential sources of ignition such as hot
water tank and space heaters, clothes drivers, electric
motors, etc.
1. If operating the engine in the snow or rain, run the engine for
a few minutes to help dry off any moisture.
2. If equipped, move the equipment control, engine control
lever or ignition switch to “STOP” or “OFF” position (see
equipment Operator’s Manual).
3. If equipped, remove safety key (if necessary, see equipment
Operator’s Manual for safety key location).
NOTE: Removing the safety key will reduce the possibility of
unauthorized starting of the engine while equipment is not in
use.
After the Engine is Stopped
WARNING
To prevent the possible freeze-up of engine controls,
follow instructions with engine STOPPED, listed below:
1. Wipe all snow and moisture from the engine control lever and
choke areas.
2. If equipped, move the equipment control, engine control
lever or ignition switch (see equipment Operator’s Manual)
back and forth several times and leave the control in the
“STOP” or “OFF” position.
3. Move the engine choke back and forth several times and
leave in the “FULL CHOKE” position.
4. Be sure the Fuel Shut-Off Valve, if present, is in the closed
“OFF” position.