Craftsman 917.388981 owner manual Muffler, Spark Plug, Cleaning

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel tank by running engine 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 engine oil cap; 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.

,Install cartridge, then replace cover making sure the tabs are aligned with the slots in the back plate. Fasten screw securely.

Lip Back plate

Slot

Cover tab

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

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

5.Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout, stopping every few ounces to check the oil level with the dipstick.

6.Stop adding oil when you reach the

FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a minute to allow oil to settle.

7.Continue adding small amounts of oil, rechecking the dipstick until oil level settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or engine will smoke heavily from the muf- fler on startup.

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

9.Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter. Replace the air filter cartridge every 100

hours of operation or every season, which- ever occurs first. Service air cleaner more

often under dusty conditions.

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1.Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove.

2.Carefully remove cartridge.

3.Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-

_ih face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean car- tridge. They may cause deterioration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plug at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs

first. Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC-

ATIONS" section of this manual.

CLEANING

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-grass and trash. Clean the underside of your mower after each use.

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

•Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove build-up of grass and trash.

•Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.

•Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc.

•We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean lawn mower unless the

electrical system, muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can result in short- ened engine life.

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