11.
Reinstall cover (G, Figure 16).
12.
Reinstall bracket (E, Figure 15) and cyclonic air filter (D).
13.
Tighten all fasteners.
Storage
WARNING
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
When Storing Fuel Or Equipment With Fuel In Tank
•
Store away from furnaces, stoves, water heaters or other appliances that have pilot
lights or other ignition sources because they can ignite fuel vapors.
Fuel System
See Figure: 19
Note: Some models have a fuel tank for vertical storage that will let the engine tilt for
maintenance or storage. Do not store in vertical position with fuel tank filled above the
bottom of the fuel tank neck. For further instructions, see the equipment manual.
Store the engine level (normal operating position). Fill fuel tank (A, Figure 19) with fuel.
To allow for expansion of fuel, do not overfill above the fuel tank neck (B).
Fuel can become stale when stored over 30 days. Stale fuel causes acid and gum deposits
to form in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. To keep fuel fresh, use Briggs
& Stratton Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer, available wherever Briggs
& Stratton genuine service parts are sold.
There is no need to drain gasoline from the engine if a fuel stabilizer is added according
to instructions. Run the engine for two (2) minutes to circulate the stabilizer throughout the
fuel system before storage.
If gasoline in the engine has not been treated with a fuel stabilizer, it must be drained into
an approved container. Run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel. The use of a fuel
stabilizer in the storage container is recommended to maintain freshness.
Engine Oil
While the engine is still warm, change the engine oil. See the Change Engine Oil section.
Troubleshooting
For assistance, contact your local dealer or go to VanguardEngines.com or call 1-800-
999-9333 (in USA).
Specifications
Model: 540000, 54E100
Displacement
Bore
Stroke
Oil Capacity
Spark Plug Gap
Spark Plug Torque
Armature Air Gap - Carburetor Models
Intake Valve Clearance
Exhaust Valve Clearance
Model: 610000, 61E100
Displacement
Bore
Stroke
Oil Capacity
Spark Plug Gap
Spark Plug Torque
Armature Air Gap - Carburetor Models
Intake Valve Clearance
54.68 ci (896 cc)
3.366 in (85,5 mm)
3.071 in (78,0 mm)
5 qt (4,73 L)
.030 in (,76 mm)
180 lb-in (20 Nm)
.005 - .008 in (,13 - ,20 mm)
.004 - .006 in (,10 - ,15 mm)
.007 - .009 in (,18 - ,23 mm)
60.60 ci (993 cc)
3.366 in (85,5 mm)
3.406 in (86,5 mm)
5 qt (4,73 L)
.030 in (,76 mm)
180 lb-in (20 Nm)
.005 - .008 in (,13 - ,20 mm)
.004 - .006 in (,10 - ,15 mm)
Model: 610000, 61E100
Exhaust Valve Clearance
Engine power will decrease 3.5% for each 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level and
1% for each 10° F (5.6° C) above 77° F (25° C). The engine will operate satisfactorily at
an angle up to 15°. Refer to the equipment operator's manual for safe allowable operating
limits on slopes.
Service Parts - Model: 540000, 54E100, 610000, 61E100
Service Part
Cyclonic Air Filter (Figure 12)
Cyclonic Safety Filter (Figure 12)
Oil - SAE 30
Oil Filter
Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer
Fuel Filter
Resistor Spark Plug
Long Life Platinum Spark Plug
Spark Plug Wrench
Spark Tester
We recommend that you see any Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer for all maintenance
and service of the engine and engine parts.
Power Ratings: The gross power rating for individual gasoline engine models is labeled
in accordance with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code J1940 Small Engine
Power & Torque Rating Procedure, and is rated in accordance with SAE J1995. Torque
values are derived at 2600 RPM for those engines with "rpm" called out on the label and
3060 RPM for all others; horsepower values are derived at 3600 RPM. The gross power
curves can be viewed at www.BRIGGSandSTRATTON.COM. Net power values are taken
with exhaust and air cleaner installed whereas gross power values are collected without
these attachments. Actual gross engine power will be higher than net engine power and
is affected by, among other things, ambient operating conditions and engine-to-engine
variability. Given the wide array of products on which engines are placed, the gasoline
engine may not develop the rated gross power when used in a given piece of power
equipment. This difference is due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the
variety of engine components (air cleaner, exhaust, charging, cooling, carburetor, fuel
pump, etc.), application limitations, ambient operating conditions (temperature, humidity,
altitude), and engine-to-engine variability. Due to manufacturing and capacity limitations,
Briggs & Stratton may substitute an engine of higher rated power for this engine.
Warranty
Briggs & Stratton Engine Warranty
Effective January 2017
Limited Warranty
Briggs & Stratton warrants that, during the warranty period specified below, it will repair or
replace, free of charge, any part that is defective in material or workmanship or both.
Transportation charges on product submitted for repair or replacement under this warranty
must be borne by purchaser. This warranty is effective for and is subject to the time periods
and conditions stated below. For warranty service, find the nearest Authorized Service
Dealer in our dealer locator map at BRIGGSandSTRATTON.COM. The purchaser must
contact the Authorized Service Dealer, and then make the product available to the
Authorized Service Dealer for inspection and testing.
There is no other express warranty. Implied warranties, including those of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited to the warranty
period listed below, or to the extent permitted by law. Liability for incidental or
consequential damages are excluded to the extent exclusion is permitted by law. Some
states or countries do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, and
some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state and country to country
Standard Warranty Terms
Brand / Product Name
Vanguard™; Commercial Series
Engines Featuring Dura-Bore™ Cast Iron Sleeve
All Other Engines
.007 - .009 in (,18 - ,23 mm)
Part Number
841497
821136
100028
595930
100117, 100120
695666
491055
5066
19374
19368
4
.
1, 2, 3
Consumer
Commercial
Use
Use
36 months
36 months
24 months
12 months
24 months
3 months
11