8-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


        Date of report (date of earliest event reported): OCTOBER 1, 2002


                            TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    MICHIGAN
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

         0-452                                         38-1093240
(Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification Number)


                            100 EAST PATTERSON STREET
                            TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN 49286
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (517) 423-8411


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (c)   The following exhibit is filed as a part of this report:

                  Exhibit No.              Description

                       99                  Press release dated October 1, 2002


ITEM 9.  REGULATION F-D DISCLOSURE.

       The registrant's press release dated October 1, 2002, regarding its
expected earnings per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2002, is
attached as Exhibit 99.


                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                          TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY


  Date: October 2, 2002                   By:    /s/ DAVID W. KAY
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                 David W. Kay
                                                 Vice President, Treasurer and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer

EX-99

                                                                      EXHIBIT 99

October 1, 2002


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY
(NASDAQ:  TECUA and TECUB)


TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY LOWERS THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS EXPECTATIONS

Tecumseh, Michigan, October 1, 2002 - Tecumseh Products Company today announced
that it expects third quarter GAAP net earnings per share to be in the range of
$0.57 to $0.62, which is below the current Thomson First Call consensus of $1.02
per share for the quarter. The shortfall is primarily attributable to the
performance of the Engine & Power Train group where sales in the third quarter
have fallen short of forecast and anticipated cost reductions have not been
fully realized. Lack of severe storm activity has slowed generator engine sales
and dry conditions across a significant portion of the United States have
weakened late season lawn mower and utility engine sales. In addition to
weakness in Engine & Power Train performance, the Compressor group has
accelerated certain research and development expenditures to broaden its
competitive product base, and the Company has incurred unplanned corporate
spending to take steps to revitalize the Company's overall performance and
competitiveness.

Third quarter GAAP net earnings in 2001 were $0.28, which included several
one-time items such as a nonrecurring charge of $18.9 million net of tax ($1.02
per share) for an early retirement incentive program, a $5.2 million ($0.28 per
share) tax credit resulting from a refund of prior years' federal income taxes,
and $2.0 million net of tax ($0.11 per share) for interest income associated
with the tax credit. On a proforma basis (excluding one-time items), third
quarter 2001 earnings would have been $0.91 per share.

Tecumseh Products Company will broadcast its third quarter 2002 financial
results conference call live over the Internet on Thursday, October 31, 2002 at
11:00 a.m. ET. Those who wish to listen to this conference call should visit the
Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at www.tecumseh.com at
least 15 minutes prior to the event. Please follow the instructions provided to
assure that the necessary audio applications are downloaded and installed. These
programs can be obtained at no charge to the user.

Tecumseh Products Company is a full line, independent global manufacturer of
mechanical and electrical components essential to industries creating end
products for health, comfort and convenience. Our products include hermetic
compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration applications, gasoline
engines and power train components for lawn and garden applications, and pumps.
Our products are sold in over 100 countries around the world.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to the safe
harbor provisions created by that Act. Forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of terms such as "expects," "should," "may," "believes,"
"anticipates," "will," and other future tense and forward-looking terminology.
Readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. For a description of
these risks and uncertainties, refer to "Cautionary Statements Relating to
Forward Looking Statements" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section
of Tecumseh Products Company's Annual Report to Shareholders and Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2001, and each quarter's 10-Q.


Contact:          Pat Walsh
                  Director of Investor Relations
                  Tecumseh Products Company
                   (517) 423-8455