MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

ROCKER ARM CLEARANCE

This requires disassembly of the engine. If you feel unsure or unqualified to perform this, take the unit to an authorized service center.

NOTE: Inspect the valve to rocker arm clearance with a feeler gauge after every 25 hours of operation.

• The engine must be cold when checking or adjusting the valve clearance.

This task should be performed inside, in a clean, dust free area.

1.Remove the eight (8) screws on the back of the engine cover

with a Flat-head or T-25 Torx screwdriver (Fig. 30).

Fig. 26

 

 

 

Fig. 27

 

 

 

Air Filter Cover

Air Filter

Back Plate

Tab

Fig. 28

7.Reinstall the air filter cover. Position the slots on the top of the air filter cover onto the tabs at the top of the back plate (Figs. 24 & 28).

8.Swing the cover down until the tab on the air filter backplate snaps into place in the slot on the air filter cover (Fig. 28).

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT

 

The idle speed of the engine is

Idle

adjustable. An idle adjustment screw

is between the air filter cover and the

Adjustment

engine starter housing (Fig. 29).

Screw

NOTE: Careless adjustments can

 

seriously damage your unit.

 

An authorized service

 

dealer should make

 

carburetor adjustments.

 

Check Fuel

 

Old fuel is usually the reason for

 

improper unit performance. Drain

Fig. 29

and refill the tank with fresh fuel

 

prior to making any adjustments. Refer to Oil and Fuel Information.

Clean Air Filter

The condition of the air filter is important to the operation of the unit. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow. This is often mistaken for an out of adjustment carburetor. Check the condition of the air filter before adjusting the idle speed screw. Refer to Air Filter Maintenance.

Adjust Idle Speed Screw

If, after checking the fuel and cleaning the air filter, the engine still will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:

1.Start the engine and let it run at a high idle for a minute to warm up. Refer to Starting/Stopping Instructions.

2.Release the throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, insert a small phillips in between the Air Filter Cover and the Engine Cover (Fig. 29). Turn the idle speed screw in, clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.

Checking the fuel, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine problems. If not and all of the following are true:

the engine will not idle

the engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration

there is a loss of engine power

Have the carburetor adjusted by an authorized service dealer.

Remove

Screws Remove

Screws

Fig. 30

2.Disconnect the spark plug wire.

3.Clean dirt from around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head by turning a 5/8 in. socket counterclockwise.

4.Remove the engine cover (Fig. 30).

5.Clean dirt from around the rocker

arm cover. Remove the screw

Rocker

holding the rocker arm cover with a

Arm

large flat blade screwdriver or Torx T-

Cover

25 bit (Fig. 31). Remove the rocker

 

arm cover and gasket.

 

6. Pull the starter rope slowly to bring

Spark

the piston to the top of its travel,

Plug

(known as top dead center). Check

Hole

that:

 

• The piston is at the top of its travel

 

while looking in the spark plug hole

 

(Fig. 32).

 

• Both rocker arms move freely, and

Fig. 31

both valves are closed.

 

If these statements are not true, repeat this step.

Rocker Arms

INTAKE

Adjusting Nuts

 

 

 

EXHAUST

Feeler Gauge

Spark Plug Hole

Fig. 32

12