Section 4 — Maintenance
Do not open or mutilate the battery. Released elec- trolyte has been known to be harmful to the skin and eyes, and to be toxic.
The electrolyte is a dilute sulfuric acid that is harm- ful to the skin and eyes. It is electrically conductive and corrosive. The following
procedures are to be observed:
•Wear full eye protection and protective clothing;
•Where electrolyte contacts the skin, wash it off immediately with water;
•Where electrolyte contacts the eyes, immediately flush thoroughly with water and seek medical atten- tion; and
•Spilled electrolyte is to be washed down with an acid neutralizing agent. A common practice is to use a solution of 1 pound (500 grams) bicarbonate of soda to 1 gallon (4 liters) or water. The bicarbonate of soda solution is to be added until the evidence of reaction (foaming) has ceased. The resulting liquid is to be flushed with water and the area dried.
following procedures are to be followed:
•DO NOT SMOKE when near the battery;
•DO NOT cause flame or spark in battery area; and
•Discharge static electricity from body before touch- ing the battery by first touching a grounded metal surface.
Be sure the AUTO/OFF/MANUAL switch is set to the OFF position before connecting the battery cables. If the switch is set to AUTO or MANUAL, the generator can crank and start as soon as the battery cables are connected.
Be sure the utility power supply is turned off, and the 5A fuse is removed from the generator control panel, or sparking may occur at the battery posts as the cables are attached, causing an explosion.
4.8ADJUSTING VALVE CLEARANCE
After the first 50 hours of operation, adjust the valve clearance in the engine.
Important: If feeling uncomfortable about doing this procedure or the proper tools are not available, please contact the Authorized dealer for service assistance. This is a very important step to insure longest life for the engine.
To adjust valve clearance:
•Make sure the engine is at room temperature.
•Make sure that the spark plug wire is removed from the spark plug and out of the way.
•Remove the four screws attaching the valve cover with a #2 or #3 phillips screwdriver.
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•Make sure the piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC) of its compression stroke (both valves closed). To get the piston at TDC, remove the intake screen at the front of the engine to gain access to the flywheel nut. Use a large socket and socket wrench to rotate the nut and hence the engine. While watching the piston through the spark plug hole. The piston should move up and down. The piston is at TDC when it is up as high as it can go.
•Loosen the rocker jam nut. Use an 10mm allen wrench to turn the pivot ball stud while checking clearance between the rocker arm and the valve stem with a feeler gauge. Correct clearance is
NOTE:
Hold the rocker arm jam nut in place as the pivot ball stud is turned.
When valve clearance is correct, hold the pivot ball stud in place with the allen wrench and tighten the rocker arm jam nut. Tighten the jam nut to 174 in/lbs. torque. After tightening the jam nut, recheck valve clearance to make sure it did not change.
Figure 4.10 - Valve Clearance Adjustment
Rocker
Pivot BallArm
Stud
Jam Nut
Valve
Stem
•Install new valve cover gasket.
•
Start all four screws before tightening or it will not be possible to get them in place. Make sure the valve cover gasket is in place.
•
•Repeat the process for the other cylinder.
4.9COOLING SYSTEM
Air inlet and outlet openings in the generator compart- ment must be open and unobstructed for continued proper operation. This includes such obstructions as high grass, weeds, brush, leaves and snow.
