GEARCASE

To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free

of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

The gear case is filled with lubricant to

the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs attention is if

service has been performed on the gear case.

If lubricant is required, use only Texaco

Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No. 750369. Do not substitute.

ENGINE

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems, which are being done at the customers ex- pense, may be performed by any non-road

engine repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an

authorized engine manufacturer's service outlet.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

I,

°F

-20

 

0

30

32

40

 

60

80

100

°C

-30

-20

-10

 

0

 

10

20

 

30

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

LU BRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and

you should check your engine oil level fre- quently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.

Change the oil after every 25 hours of

operation or at least once a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in

one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before

starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel tank by running en- gine until fuel tank is empty.

1.Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.

2.Remove oil fill cap/dipstick; lay aside on a clean surface.

3.Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container. Rock lawn mower back and forth to re- move any oil trapped inside of engine.

,Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine.

5.Fill engine with oil. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout into the engine.

6.Wait one minute to allow oil to settle. Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube. DO NOT thread the cap into the tube when taking reading.

Oil fill cap / dipstick

Upper

Lower mark

7.Continue adding small amounts of

oil and rechecking the dipstick until it reads full. DO NOT overfill, or engine will smoke on startup.

8.Always be sure to retighten oil fill cap/ dipstick before starting engine.

9.Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.

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Craftsman 917.371721 owner manual Gearcase, To Change Engine OIL