Craftsman 917.29604 owner manual ADD Gasoline, To Start Engine

•For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance sec- tion of this manual).

•To change engine oil, see the Mainte- nance section in this manual.

Oil Fill

ADD GASOLINE

•Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of

87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide depos- its and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan- tities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

_CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top

of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow

for fuel expansion. If gasoline is acci- dentally spilled, move machine away from area of spill. Avoid creating any source of ignition until gasoline vapors have disap- peared.

Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not

store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

IMPORTANT: When operating in temper-

atures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting.

CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separa- tion and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system

of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for

additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

TO START ENGINE

A_,CAUTION: Keep tine control in "OFF" position when starting engine.

When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from the tank to the engine.

1.Make sure spark plug wire is properly connected.

2.Move shift lever indicator to "N" (neu- tral) position.

3.Place throttle control in "FAST" posi- tion.

4.Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open position.

5.Push stop switch to "ON" position.

6.Move choke control to "CHOKE" posi- tion.

7.Grasp recoil starter handle with one hand and grasp tiller handle with other hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point).

8.Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do not let starter handle snap back against starter.

NOTE: If engine fires but does not start, move choke control to half choke posi- tion. Pull recoil starter handle until engine starts.

9.When engine starts, slowly move choke control to "RUN" position as engine warms up.

NOTE: A warm engine requires less choking to start.

10.Move throttle control to desired running position.

11 .Allow engine to warm up for a few

minutes before engaging tines.

NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32°F), the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be

adjusted for best engine performance.

See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the

Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou- bleshooting points.

Fuel shut-off Choke controls

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