Tecumseh Engine 181 1272 14 Operators Manual

Engine Operator’s Manual
OV195EA/OV195XA
Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT NOTICE! Safety Definitions......................................... ii
I. General Safety Precautions ............................................................. 1
II. How to Get Service .......................................................................... 3
III. Oil and Fuel Specifications............................................................... 4
IV. Before Starting Your...

Page iiFour-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-1272-14
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Safety Definitions
Statements in this manual preceded by the following words 
and graphics are of special significance:
Or
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation 
which if NOT avoided, could result in death or serious 
injury.
 NOTE
Refers to important information and is placed in italic type.
It is recommended that you take special notice of all items 
discussed on the next two pages and wear the...

181-1272-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 1
I. General Safety Precautions
!
WARNING
A. Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains 
carbon monoxide, a deadly 
gas. Breathing carbon 
monoxide can cause 
headaches, dizziness, 
drowsiness, nausea, confusion 
and eventually death.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas 
which may be present even if you DO NOT see or smell 
any engine exhaust. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can 
collect rapidly and...

Page 2Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-1272-14
E. DO NOT Modify Engine
To avoid serious injury or death, DO NOT modify engine in 
any way. Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a 
runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. 
NEVER tamper with factory setting of engine governor.
!
WARNING
F. Avoid Burns and Fire from Hot Surfaces
The muffler and other engine parts become 
extremely hot during operation and remain 
hot after the engine has stopped. 
• To avoid...

181-1272-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 3
II. How to Get Service
For engine adjustments, repairs or warranty service NOT
covered in this manual, consult your local Authorized
Tecumseh Servicing Dealer, call 1-800-558-5402, or go to
www.TecumsehPower.com for additional information.
A. Engine Identification Decal
A sample engine identification decal (See Figure 4.) 
indicates the engine’s model number, specification of 
engine and the date of manufacture (D.O.M.). Please look...

Page 4Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-1272-14
III. Oil and Fuel Specifications
A. Oil
To operate engine you need to use a clean, high quality, 
detergent oil. For recommended engine oil, see Table 1.
 NOTES
Be sure original container is marked A.P.I. Service “SL/SJ”. 
Using multigrade oil above 32°F (0°C) will increase oil 
consumption. SAE10W40 is NOT recommended.
The oil sump capacity is 21 ounces or 1-1/4 U.S. Pints 
(.62 liters). 
Tecumseh special-formulated oils are available...

181-1272-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 5
IV. Before Starting Your Engine
A. Checking Oil Level
To avoid engine damage, it is important to:
• Check oil level before each use and every 5 
operating hours when engine is warm. Check oil 
level more frequently during engine break-in.
• Keep oil level between “FULL” and “ADD” marks on 
dipstick or to point of overflow on engines without 
dipstick. See Figure 6.
• Be sure oil fill cap/plug is tightened securely.
 NOTES
DO NOT...

Page 6Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-1272-14
C. Filling Fuel Tank
An adult should fuel this engine. 
NEVER allow children to refuel this 
engine. Gasoline (fuel) vapors are highly flammable and 
can explode. Fuel vapors can spread and be ignited by a 
spark or flame many feet away from engine. To prevent 
injury or death from fuel fires, follow these instructions:
1. Stop engine and allow it to cool before refueling.
2. Be sure engine is outdoors and in a well-ventilated 
area....

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V. Starting Your Engine
An adult should start the engine. 
Only allow children to start engine if 
an adult has determined they are experienced and capable 
of such operation.
If you are unable to start this engine 
after following instructions in this 
manual, contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing 
Dealer. To avoid serious burn injuries or damage to your 
engine, DO NOT attempt to start or troubleshoot this 
engine in any other...

Page 8Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-1272-14 5. Push starter button or turn ignition switch key to start 
engine.
6. When engine starts, release starter button or ignition 
switch key. 
7. If engine fails to start after 3 attempts repeat steps 2 
thru 6 and try again. 
8. If engine does NOT start after following steps 1 thru 7, 
contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer. 
DO NOT attempt to start or troubleshoot this engine in 
any other way. 
II. Choke Only
1. To avoid...