Maintenance
Figure 24
1.Spark plug and wire location
Checking the Spark Plug
1.Look at the center of the spark plug (Figure 25). If you see light brown or gray on the insulator, the engine is operating properly. A black coating on the insulator usually means the air cleaner is dirty.
Important: Never clean the spark plug. Always replace the spark plug when it has a black coating, worn electrodes, an oily film, or cracks.
2.Check the gap between the center and side electrodes (Figure 25). Bend the side electrode if the gap is not correct.
Figure 25
1. Side electrode | 3. Air gap (not to scale) |
2.Center electrode insulator
Installing the Spark Plug
1.Install the spark plug. Make sure that the air gap is set correctly.
2.Tighten the spark plug to 15
3.Push the wire onto the spark plug (Figure 24).
Cleaning the Blower Housing
Service Interval: Every 100 hours/Yearly (whichever comes first) More often under dirty conditions.
To ensure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times.
1.Remove the blower housing and any other cooling shrouds.
2.Clean the cooling fins and external surfaces as necessary.
3.Make sure the cooling shrouds are reinstalled
Important: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed, will cause engine damage due to overheating.
Fuel System Maintenance
Replacing the Fuel Filter
Service Interval: Every 100 hours/Yearly (whichever comes first)
DANGER
In certain conditions, gasoline is extremely flammable and highly explosive. A fire or explosion from gasoline can burn you and others and can damage property.
•Perform any fuel related maintenance when the engine is cold. Do this outdoors in an open area. Wipe up any gasoline that spills.
•Never smoke when draining gasoline, and stay away from an open flame or where a spark may ignite the gasoline fumes.
Never install a dirty filter if it is removed from the fuel line.
1.Park the machine on a level surface and disengage the blade control switch.
2.Move the motion control levers outward to the neutral position, engage parking brake, stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.
3.The fuel filter is in the fuel line between the tank and engine.
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