Tecumseh Engine OV490EA Operators Manual

							181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 9
II. Independent Speed and Choke Controls
1. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure 
engine is outdoors in a well-ventilated area.
2. Move engine speed control to “FAST” position and set 
choke control to “FULL CHOKE” position (see equip-
ment manufacturer’s instructions). See Figures 14, 16, 
17 and 18.
 NOTES
Generator and Water Pump applications may have the 
choke lever mounted on the engine. See Figure 18. 
If restarting a warm engine after a short shutdown, move 
Speed Control to “FAST” position and move Choke Control 
to “NO CHOKE” position.
When pulling starter rope, the rope 
can unexpectedly jerk back toward 
engine causing serious injury. To avoid this risk, carefully 
follow these instructions:
3. Grasp starter cord handle. See Figure 15.
a. Pull rope out slowly until you feel drag.
b. Without allowing the rope to retract, continue   
pulling rope with one rapid full arm stroke.
c. Return rope slowly to original position.
 NOTE
Following the instructions listed in the steps above avoids 
potential damage to the recoil mechanism.
If engine fails after 3 pulls repeat steps 2 thru 3.
4. When engine starts:
a. Move choke control to “1/2 CHOKE” position until 
engine runs smoothly.
b. Next, move control to “NO CHOKE” position. 
5. Move speed control to desired speed in “RUN” range.
 NOTES
If engine starts but falters when choke is moved to “NO 
CHOKE” position:
a. Momentarily move choke control back to “FULL 
CHOKE” position.
b. Next, move control to “1/2 CHOKE” position until 
engine runs smoothly.
c. Finally, move control to “NO CHOKE “position. 
If engine dies after choke control is moved to “NO CHOKE” 
position repeat steps 2 thru 5 to restart engine.
6. If engine fires but does not continue to run, move 
choke control to “NO CHOKE” position and pull starter 
rope again.
7. If engine fails to start after 3 attempts in the “NO 
CHOKE” position, move choke control to “FULL 
CHOKE” position and pull starter rope 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.
VI. Stopping Your Engine and 
Short-Term Storage
Stop engine according to equipment manufacturer’s 
instructions.
To avoid unsupervised operation of 
an engine, especially by children, 
NEVER leave it unattended when it is running. Always turn 
off the engine after use and remove ignition key, if provided.
Never store the engine with fuel in 
the fuel tank inside a building with 
potential sources of ignition such as hot water and space 
heaters, clothes dryers, electric motors, etc.
!WARNINGFigure 16. Independent Speed and Choke Controls
Figure 17. Choke Control Positions
Figure 18. Engine Mounted Choke Lever
Choke 
Control
Speed 
Control
1. No Choke
2. 1/2 Choke
3. Full Choke12 3
1. No Choke
2. 1/2 Choke
3. Full Choke12 3
!WARNING
!WARNING 
						

							Page 10Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14
VII. Maintenance
An adult should perform maintenance 
on this engine. Only allow children to 
perform maintenance if an adult has determined they are 
experienced and capable of such operation.
To prevent accidental starting when 
working on equipment, always:
• Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from 
spark plug. See G. Avoid Accidental Starts 
instructions on page 2.
• Keep the disconnected spark plug wire 
securely away from metal parts where arcing 
could occur. 
• Attach the spark plug wire to the grounding 
post, if provided. 
• Disconnect battery at negative terminal first, if 
engine is equipped with an electric starter.
• Turn off all engine switches.
• Remove ignition key, if provided.
A. Checking and Changing Oil
To avoid engine damage, it is important to:
• Check oil level before each use and every 5 
operating hours when engine is warm. See A. 
Checking Oil Level instructions on page 4.
• Change oil after first 2 operating hours and every 50 
operating hours thereafter; more often if operated in 
extremely dusty or dirty conditions. Engine should 
still be warm but not hot from recent use.
1. Be sure you find the correct drain plug location, if 
present. (See equipment manufacturer’s instructions). 
See Figure 19.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from 
spark plug. See G. Avoid Accidental Starts instruc-
tions on page 2.
3. Be sure the gas cap is on and is tightened securely.
4. Clean area around oil drain plug. See Figure 19.
5. Place approved recyclable oil container under oil drain 
plug. (See equipment manufacturer’s instructions).
 NOTE
Used oil must be disposed of at a proper 
collection center.
6. Remove oil drain plug and drain oil into 
an approved container. See Figure 19.
7. Install oil drain plug and tighten securely.
8. Fill with recommended oil. See III. Oil and Fuel Speci-
fications instructions on page 3. See Table 1. Recom-
mended Engine Oil instructions on page 3. See Figure 
20. 
9. Wipe away any spilled oil.10. Carefully disconnect spark plug wire from grounding 
post, if provided.
11. Carefully re-connect spark plug wire to spark plug.
 NOTES
The oil filter if so equipped, should be changed every 100 
operating hours or at least once a year. 
The filter should be changed more often if the engine is 
operated in extremely dust or dirty conditions.
Changing the oil filter requires that additional oil be added to 
fill the filter.
Contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer for a 
Tecumseh Oil Filter.
!WARNING
!WARNING
Figure 19. Oil Drain Plug Location
Figure 20. Oil Filler Locations 
						

							181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 11
B. Removing Debris from Engine
Before each use, remove grass clippings, dirt and debris 
from the following areas: 
• Levers and Linkage
• Cooling Fins
• Air Intake Screen 
• Air Inlet
• Guards
Removing debris will insure adequate cooling, correct 
engine speed and reduce the risk of fire. See Figure 21.
 NOTE
Before removing air cleaner cover see III. Filter Removal/
Installation instructions on page 12. Special care should be 
taken to prevent damage when removing air cleaner cover. 
See Figure 21.
DO NOT bend levers and linkage with fingers. 
See Figure 22. 
1. Remove air cleaner cover and filters. See Figure 21. 
2. Remove debris from air inlet, air cleaner cover and air 
intake screen.
3. Inspect filter(s) for discoloration or dirt accumulation. If 
either is present, see I. Servicing Foam Pre-Filter 
instructions on page 12 or see II. Servicing Paper Fil-
ters instructions on page 12.
4. Replace air cleaner cover and filters.
C. Spark Plug
Check spark plug yearly or every 100 operating hours.
1. Clean area around spark plug.
2. Remove and inspect spark plug.
3. Replace spark plug if porcelain is cracked or if elec-
trodes are:
•Pitted
• Burned
• Fouled with deposits
4. Check electrode gap with wire feeler gauge and set 
gap to .030 (0.76mm) if necessary. See Figure 23.
5. Install spark plug and tighten securely.
 NOTE
A resistor spark plug must be used for replacement. Contact 
your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer for a 
Tecumseh Resistor Spark Plug.Figure 21. Debris Locations
Figure 22. Linkage and Lever Bending
Figure 23. Spark Plug
1. Cooling Fins
2. Levers and Linkage
3. Air Inlet
4. Air Cleaner Cover
5. Air Intake Screen3 5
2 1
4
1. .030 (0.76mm) Gap
2. Electrodes
3. Porcelain1 23 
						

							Page 12Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14
D. Cleaning/Replacing Air Cleaner
Your engine has an air cleaner which helps prevent 
premature engine wear and failure. NEVER run engine 
without complete air cleaner installed on engine. Your air 
cleaner periodically needs to be cleaned or replaced.
 NOTE
Contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer for a 
Tecumseh Air Cleaner.
I. Servicing Foam Pre-Filter
Clean foam pre-filter every 3 months or every 25 operating 
hours. Clean daily if used in extremely dusty conditions. 
After removing the pre-filter, follow these cleaning 
instructions below:
1. Wash in warm water and detergent solution then press 
(DO NOT twist) until all dirt is removed.
2. Rinse thoroughly until water is clear.
3. Wrap in a clean cloth and press (DO NOT twist) until 
completely dry.
 NOTE
DO NOT oil foam pre-filter.
4. Replace foam pre-filter onto paper filter.
II. Servicing Paper Filters
Paper filters cannot be cleaned and must be replaced once 
a year or every 100 operating hours; more often if used in 
extremely dusty conditions. Replacement filters are 
available at an Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer.
 NOTE
DO NOT put oil on or clean a paper filter.
III. Filter Removal/Installation
1. Remove wing nuts from air cleaner cover. See Figure 24.
2. Remove air cleaner cover while lifting upward then 
outward.
3. Remove fasteners.
4. Remove and inspect filter(s) for discoloration or dirt 
accumulation. If either is present, see  I. Servicing 
Foam Pre-Filter instructions or  II. Servicing Paper 
Filters instructions.
5. Clean inside of cover and body thoroughly.
6. Install paper filter (see equipment manufacturer’s 
instructions).
7. Install fasteners.
8. Install foam pre-filter (see equipment manufacturer’s 
instructions).
9. Install cover by pushing down onto body securely.
10. Install wings nuts and tighten securely.
E. Carburetor
If you think your carburetor needs adjusting, see your 
nearest Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer. Engine 
performance should not be affected at altitudes up to 7,000 
feet (2,134 meters). For operation at higher elevations, 
contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer.
F. Engine Speed
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.
Running the engine faster than the speed set at the factory 
can be dangerous and will VOID THE ENGINE 
WARRANTY.
G. A d j u s t m e n t s
DO NOT make any engine adjustments. Factory settings 
are satisfactory for most conditions. If adjustments are 
needed, contact your Authorized Tecumseh Servicing 
Dealer.Figure 24. Air Cleaner Components
1
1. Body
2. Paper Filter
3. Fasteners
4. Foam Pre-Filter
5. Air Cleaner Cover
6. Wing Nuts3
2 4 5 6
!WARNING 
						

							181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 13
VIII. Transporting Your Engine
NEVER transport this engine inside 
another vehicle or in any enclosed 
space if there is any gasoline in the tank. Fuel vapor or 
spilled fuel may ignite.
If there is fuel in the fuel tank, close 
the fuel shut off valve, if equipped, 
and transport the engine upright in an open vehicle, such as 
an open trailer or open bed of a pickup truck.
If you do not have an open vehicle and have to transport 
the engine upright in a closed vehicle, follow these steps 
for emptying the fuel tank before transporting:
1. Empty fuel tank by using a commercially available 
suction device designed for use with gasoline. 
DO NOT pour fuel from engine or 
siphon fuel by mouth.
2. Drain fuel into an approved red GASOLINE container, 
being careful to avoid spilling.
3. Run the engine until remaining fuel is consumed.
NEVER leave the engine 
unattended when it is running and 
NEVER run engine in enclosed areas.
IX. Storing Your Engine
A. Short Term/Seasonal Storage
I. Clean Engine
Before servicing the engine remove the blower housing. In 
addition, remove grass clippings, dirt and debris from the 
following areas: 
• Cooling Fins
• Air Intake Screen 
• Levers 
• Linkage 
•Guards
• Carburetor
•Head
Removing debris will facilitate adequate cooling, correct 
engine speed and reduce the risk of fire.
II. Fuel Storage
NEVER store engine with fuel in fuel 
tank inside a building with potential 
sources of ignition such as hot water and space heaters, 
clothes dryers, electric motors, etc. Failure to do so may 
result in an explosion and result in death or serious injury.
 NOTES
If engine fuel stored in the gas tank and/or an approved gas 
container is to be unused without gasoline stabilizer for 
more than 15-30 days, prepare it for short term/seasonal 
storage. see IV. Fuel Treatment instructions on page 14.
If engine fuel is to be stored for more than one season, 
without gasoline stabilizer, it will gradually deteriorate. Also, 
if it is stored in the engine’s gas tank without gasoline 
stabilizer it is likely that your carburetor will have gum 
deposits, a clogged fuel system and will void your warranty. 
Prepare the fuel for extended storage. See B. Extended 
Storage instructions on page 14.
If you operate the engine during all 4 seasons, it is not 
necessary to lubricate the cylinder bore. 
!WARNING
!WARNING
!WARNING
!WARNING!WARNING!WARNING 
						

							Page 14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14
III. Fuel System
To avoid stale gas and carburetor problems, treat the fuel 
system in the following method below: 
 NOTES
Tecumseh recommends using ULTRA-FRESH™ or Fuel 
Saver Plus Gasoline Stabilizer plus Fuel System Cleaner as 
an acceptable method of minimizing formation of fuel gum 
deposits during storage. This product is available from your 
Authorized Tecumseh Servicing Dealer.
Always follow mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Failure 
to do so may result in equipment damage.
It is not necessary to drain stabilized gas from carburetor. 
IV. Fuel Treatment
1. Add fuel stabilizer according to manufacturer’s 
instructions.
2. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer 
to allow it to reach carburetor.
NEVER store the engine with fuel in 
the fuel tank inside a building with 
potential sources of ignition such as hot water and space 
heaters, clothes dryers, electric motors, etc.
 NOTE
Instead of using a fuel preservative/stabilizer, you can 
empty the fuel tank as described under I. Draining Fuel” 
instructions. See B. Extended Storage” instructions.
B. Extended Storage
I. Draining Fuel
 NOTES
Clean debris from engine before draining fuel from 
carburetor. See I. Clean Engine instructions on page 13.
If you have prepared your fuel for short term storage it is not 
necessary to drain fuel that contains stabilizer from your 
carburetor. See A. Short Term/Seasonal Storage 
instructions on page 13.
To avoid severe injury or death, 
DO NOT pour fuel from engine or 
siphon fuel by mouth.
1. To prevent serious injury from fuel fires, empty fuel tank 
by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel. DO 
NOT attempt to pour fuel from engine.
2. Run the engine while waiting until the remaining fuel is 
consumed. 
NEVER leave the engine 
unattended when it is running and 
NEVER run engine in enclosed areas.
3. Begin servicing the cylinder bore. See II. Oil Cylinder 
Bore instructions on page 15.
!WARNING
!WARNING
!WARNING 
						

							181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 15
II. Oil Cylinder Bore
When lubricating cylinder bore, fuel 
may spray from spark plug hole. To 
prevent serious injury from fuel fires, follow these 
instructions:
1. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from 
spark plug. See  Figure 25. and  Figure 26.
• Keep the disconnected spark plug wire securely 
away from metal parts where arcing could occur. 
• Attach the spark plug wire to the grounding post, if 
provided. 
• Disconnect battery at negative terminal first, if 
engine is equipped with an electric starter.
• Turn off all engine switches.
• Remove ignition key, if provided.
2. Remove spark plug. 
3. Squirt 1oz. (30ml) of clean engine oil into spark plug 
hole.
4. Cover spark plug hole with rag to prevent fuel from 
spraying from spark plug hole when starter rope is 
pulled.
 NOTES
For engines equipped with recoil starters proceed to Step 5.
For engines equipped with electric starters proceed to Step 
6.
5. Grasp starter cord handle and pull out slowly using a 
full arm stroke. Repeat once. (This will distribute oil 
throughout the cylinder to prevent corrosion during 
storage.)
6. Install spark plug.
7. Carefully disconnect spark plug wire from grounding 
post, if provided. 
8. Connect spark plug wire before attempting to start 
engine.
III. Oil
Change oil if not changed within the last 3 months, see 
A. Checking and Changing Oil instructions on page 10.
IV. Battery
See equipment manufacturer’s instructions for proper 
battery storage, if present.
X. Preventing Forest, Brush and Grass 
Fires
Local, state and federal laws may require use of a spark 
arrester to prevent fires. For example, it is a violation of 
California Public Resources Code (section 4442) to use or 
operate engine on any forest-covered, brush-covered or 
unimproved grass-covered land unless engine is equipped 
with a spark arrester. Spark arrester must be maintained in 
effective working order by owner and/or operator.
See the equipment manufacturer’s instructions for 
obtaining the proper muffler and spark arrester for this 
engine.
!WARNING
Figure 25. Disconnecting/Connecting Spark Plug
Figure 26. Typical Spark Plug Connection 
						

							Page 16Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14
XI. Maintenance Intervals
Maintenance is one of the most important things that you 
can do to extend the life of your Tecumseh Engine. If you 
are unable to perform maintenance intervals yourself, 
contact your nearest Authorized Tecumseh Servicing 
Dealer. You may also call Tecumseh Power Company at 
1-800-558-5402 or visit www.TecumsehPower.com to 
locate your dealer. 
ALWAYS promptly follow maintenance intervals listed. See 
Table 5.
First Scheduled Maintenance
After First 2 Hours When Engine is Warm
1. Change Oil 
Date_______________Owner/DealerBefore Each Use Scheduled Maintenance
Every 5 Hours or Before Each Use
1. Check Oil Level
2. Clean Cooling Fins 
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Every 25 Hours or 3 Months Scheduled Maintenance
1. Clean Foam Pre-Filter
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Date_______________Owner/Dealer Table 5.  Maintenance Intervals
ProcedureTime
Change 
OilAfter first 2 hrs.
when engine is warm
Check 
Oil Level 5 hrs. or Before Each Use
Clean 
Cooling Fins5 hrs. or Before Each Use
Change 
Oil50 hrs. or 3 mos.
Clean 
Foam Pre-Filter25 hrs. or 3 mos.
Replace 
Paper and Oil Filter100 hrs. or
seasonally
Check 
Spark Plug100 hrs. or
seasonally
Replace 
Spark Plug200 hrs. or
seasonally 
						

							181-887-14Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-CooledPage 17 Every 50 Hours or 3 Months Scheduled Maintenance
1. Change Oil 
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Every 100 Hours or Seasonally Scheduled Maintenance
1. Replace Paper Filter 
2. Replace Oil Filter
3. Check Spark Plug
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Every 200 Hours or Seasonally Scheduled Maintenance
1. Replace Spark Plug 
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							Page 18Four-Cycle Engine • Vertical Crankshaft • Air-Cooled181-887-14