MTD 179cc & 208cc Automobile Parts User Manual


 
Alternator (if equipped)
Contact your Authorized MTD Servicing Dealer for alternator
related electrical problems such as:
Inoperative Starter
Discharged Battery
Fuse Replacement
Alternator Maintenance/Repairs
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 the factory setting of the engine governor.
Running the engine faster than the
speed set at the factory can be dangerous and will

Removing Snow from the Engine
After each use, remove snow from the following areas:
Oil Fill Cap Dipstick
Fuel Fill Cap
Recoil Starter/Flywheel Screen
Linkage
Guards
Spark Plug Connection (if visible).
Electric Starter Switch Box, if present (see the 
equipment Operator’s Manual instructions).
NOTE: See the equipment Operator’s Manual instructions
for proper location of fuel fill cap and control lever.
Removing snow will ease operation of the recoil starter 1.
rope and reduce the risk of water contamination when
opening the fuel fill cap.
NOTE: For more information about recoil starters, see
Engine’s with Recoil Starters in the Operation Section of
this manual.
Transporting Your Engine
NEVER transport this engine inside of
another vehicle or in any enclosed space if there is
any gasoline in the tank. Fuel vapor or spilled fuel
may ignite.

fuel 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:
Empty fuel tank by using a commercially available suction 1.
device designed for use with gasoline.
DO NOT pour fuel from the engine or
siphon fuel by mouth.
Drain fuel into an approved red gasoline container, being 2.
careful to avoid spilling.
Run the engine until remaining fuel is consumed. 3.
NEVER leave the engine unattended
when it is running and NEVER run the engine in an
enclosed area.
Storing Your Engine
Short-Term/Seasonal Storage
Clean Engine
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least half an
hour before cleaning.
Before servicing the engine, remove the carburetor cover and/or
blower housing. Discard the dirt and debris from the following
areas:
Cooling Fins
Air Intake Screen or Recoil Starter/Flywheel 
Guard Areas
Spark Plug Connection
Levers
Linkage Area
Guards
Carburetor

Removing debris will insure adequate cooling, correct engine
speed and reduce the risk of fire.
NOTE: Do not spray engine with water to clean because water
could contaminate fuel. Using a garden hose or pressure washing
equipment can also force water into the air cleaner or muffler
opening. Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper element,
and water that passes through the element or muffler can enter
the cylinder, causing damage.
Accumulation of debris around muffler
could cause a fire. Inspect and clean before every
use.
Fuel Storage
NEVER store engine with fuel in the
fuel tank inside a building with potential sources of
ignition such as hot water heater, space heater,
clothes dryer, electric motor, etc. Failure to do so
may result in an explosion and result in death or
serious injury.
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
Fuel Treatment later in this section.
16 se c t i O n 6— Ma i n t e n a n c e