Vanguard Engines and Fuel Filters Recalled by Briggs & Stratton

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2000
Release # 00-061

Company Phone Number: (800) 999-9444
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

Vanguard Engines and Fuel Filters Recalled by Briggs & Stratton

PRODUCTS: Vanguard V-Twin Engines and Fuel Filters - Briggs & Stratton Corp., of Milwaukee, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 2,600 Vanguard V-twin gasoline engines with 9-quart fuel tanks. 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. 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.

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. Briggs and Stratton distributors and dealers sold these fuel filters from March 1999 through November 1999 for about $5.

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

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

WHAT TO DO: 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. 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.

Vanguard V-Twin Engine with 9-Quart Fuel Tank

Engine Inset Showing ID Tag

Fuel Filter