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Vanguard Engines and Fuel Filters Recalled by Briggs & Stratton

U.S. CPSCFireFeb 3, 2000
Recalled Vanguard V-twin gasoline engine
Recalled Vanguard V-twin gasoline engine
Location of ID tag on recalled Vanguard V-twin gasoline engine
Location of ID tag on recalled Vanguard V-twin gasoline engine
Recalled plastic fuel filter used with Vanguard engines
Recalled plastic fuel filter used with Vanguard engines

Photos from the official notice: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · image rights

Hazard

The fuel filters on these engines can leak gasoline, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Remedy

Stop using these recalled Vanguard engines and fuel filters even if no leaks are detected. Briggs & Stratton will install a new fuel filter on the recalled engines free of charge, or provide a free replacement spare fuel filter.

Incidents & injuries

Briggs & Stratton has received six reports of engine fires, one resulting in a minor burn injury.

Product description

These engines were used in various brands of construction, industrial and lawn and garden equipment, including vacuum lawn sweepers, air compressors, leaf blowers and pressure washers. "VANGUARD V-Twin" is written on the engines, which are red or black. There are identification tags on the side of these engines with model number 294442, 294447, 303442, 303447, 350442 or 350447. Only engines with 9-quart fuel tanks manufactured by Briggs & Stratton are part of this recall. These tags also show an 8-digit code with the first six digits indicating the date the engine was manufactured by year, month and day. For example, 990215XX would indicate the engine was manufactured on February 15, 1999. The recalled engines were manufactured between February 15, 1999, and November 17, 1999. In addition, about 4,600 clear, plastic fuel filters were sold separately as replacement parts for Vanguard engines with 9-quart fuel tanks. They have replacement part number 808116, which is written on the bottom of the filter. They were sold for use on these Vanguard V-twin engines manufactured on or after August 23, 1995, including all the model numbers of recalled engines listed above, and engines with model number 290442 or 290447.

Sold on

The engines were sold separately and to equipment manufacturers. Equipment containing these engines were sold nationwide, from March 1999 through November 1999. The engines alone sold for about $1,200.

Contact the company

For more information, contact your local Briggs & Stratton dealer or call (800) 999-9444 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

What should I do?

Stop using the product and follow the remedy below. Contact the company for a refund, repair or replacement — recall remedies are free.

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