Use and Care Manual

WARNING! When pulling the starter rope, the
rope can unexpectedly jerk back toward the engine
causing serious injury. To avoid this risk, carefully
follow these instructions:
6. Grasp the starter cord handle.
• Pull rope out slowly until you feel drag.
• Without allowing the rope to retract, continue
pulling the rope with one rapid full arm stroke.
• Return the rope slowly to the original position.
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 starer handle and let it snap back
against the starter to break up ice’; these two
steps should only be done when the starter is
frozen.
7. If the engine fails to start after 3 attempts repeat steps 1
through 7 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.
9. Move the engine speed control (if equipped) to the desired
speed in the “RUN” range.
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 “!/2 CHOKE”
position until engine runs smoothly.
• Finally, move the choke control to the NO
CHOKE position.
If the engine dies after choke control is moved to “NO CHOKE”
position, repeat steps 3 through 10 to restart engine.
10. If the engine fails to start after 3 attempts in the “NO
CHOKE” position, move the choke control to “FULL CHOKE”
position and start engine.
11. If engine does not start after following steps 1 through
11, contact your Authorized MTD Service Dealer. DO NOT
attempt to troubleshoot this engine in any other way.
Stopping the Engine & Short Term Storage
Stop engine in accordance with the equipment Operator’s
Manual.
WARNING! To avoid unsupervised engine
operation, especially by children, NEVER leave the
engine unattended while running. Always turn off
the engine after use and remove the ignition 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.
Stopping The Engine
1. If operating the engine in the snow or rain, run the engine
for a few minutes to help dry off any moisture.
2. Move the equipment control, if present (see Equipment
Owner’s Manual), engine control lever or ignition switch to
“STOP” or “OFF” position.
3. Remove ignition key, if provided (see equipment Operator’s
Manual).
NOTE: Removing the key will reduce the possibility of
unauthorized starting of the engine while equipment is not
in use.
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 dryers, electric motors, etc.
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. Move the equipment control, if present, (see equipment
Operator’s Manual), engine control lever or ignition switch
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 off.
12 Section 5— operation