Craftsman 358.796131- 26.2CC General Maintenance, A. Drive Shaft Lubrication, Filter, Care, Fuel

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

A. DRIVE SHAFT LUBRICATION

•Lubricate the Flexible Drive Shaft:

--After each ten (10) hours of operation:

--Before operating if the unit has been stored for 90 days or longer.

•Use gear grease stock #28-59071.

NOTE: A tube ofgrease has been suppliedwith your unit to be used after the first 10 hours ofoperation.

•Observe the following procedure for best results:

CAUTION: IAvoid bodily contact with the muffler area when the engine is warm. Always replace

the muffler guard if it becomes damaged or broken.

1.Loosen the Pinch Clamp Bolt and remove the Drive Shaft Housing from the Engine Shroud.

2.Remove the Flexible Drive Shaft as shown in Figure 26.

NOTE: Check the Flexibie Drive Shaft for

wear or damage, Replace if broken wires, twists or kinks are found.

ICAUTION:tLay the Flexible Drive Shaft on a clean surface. Avoid laying the shaft on the

floor, ground or on any surface that may have dirt or debris. Even after wiping the shaft, grease residue can pick up dirt particles that can cause damage or premature failure.

3.Using a clean cloth, thoroughly wipe the sur- face of the Flexible Drive Shaft to remove any old grease that may be present/

4.Applya uniformcoat ofgear grease to the entire sur- face of the Flexible Drive Shaft. Figure 27.

5.Inject the remaining contents of the tube sup- plied with the unit into the top of the Drive Shaft Housing.

6.Replace Flexible Drive Shaft in the Drive Shaft Housing.

7.Follow the instructions on page 6 to replace Drive Shaft Housing in the Engine Shroud.

Wipethe Flexible

El

14

ii i i	]1	iii
Figure 26	Figure	27

AIR	FILTER	CARE		Cll	FUEL	TANK	UPKEEP
A dirty	air filter	decreases engine performance			Never use gasoline that ismore			than	2 months
and increases		fuel	consumption,		old in a fuel mixture. Gasoline			begins	to break
Clean	the Air Filter:				down after a period of time and will form com-
					pounds	that cause hard starting		and damage in
• Frequently,
					2-cycle	engines.
• Always after 5 tanks of fuel or 5 hours of opera-
tion, whichever			is less,		, inspect the unit for fuel leaks each time it is
Follow these		steps:
					used. Repair or replace parts as necessary.
1, Removetheairfilter(Iocatedatthebettom, rearofthe
Engine Shroud) see page 2.					2. Using gasoline		or fuel mix over 2 months old will
2, Wash in soap and water.					cause	the engine to be difficult or impossible to
					startl
ICAUTION:] Do not clean filter in gasoline					. Drain the fuel tank or allow the unit to run out
or other flammable solvent to avoid creating
					of fuel before		storing for 30	or more days.
a fire hazard.
3. Squeeze		filter	dry.		NOTE: "First		Starting" procedure		may be
4, Replace the air filter.
					required fora unit that runs out of fuel or from
I CAUTION: f The air filter must be fitted into
					which fuel is drained, See "Starting Instruc-
the corners of the housing to avoid engine
					tions",	page 8.

damage.