Use and Care Manual

12 Section 6 — Maintenance
2. Be sure that the fuel fill cap is on and
securely tightened.
3. Be sure to find correct oil drain plug
location, if present (see the equipment
Operator’s Manual instructions for
additional information).
4. Clean area around the oil drain plug.
5. Place an approved recyclable oil
container under the oil drain plug.
6. Remove the Oil drain plug. See “Figure
6-3”.
Oil
Drain
Figure 6-3
WARNING!
Used engine oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly
left in contact with the skin for prolonged periods.
Although this is unlikely unless you handle used oil
on a daily basis, it is still advisable to thoroughly
wash your hands with soap and water as soon as
possible after handling used oil.
7. Tip engine to position the oil flow, so it
will drain from the lowest point on the
engine.
8. Drain the oil into an approved recyclable
oil container.
NOTE: Please dispose of used engine oil
in a manner that is compatible with the
environment. We suggest you take it in
a sealed container to your local service
station for reclamation. Do not throw it in
the trash or pour it on the ground.
9. Install the oil drain plug and tighten
securely.
10. Clean area around the oil drain plug.
11. Remove the oil fill cap dipstick.
12. Fill with the recommended Oil. See Figure
6-1.
NOTE: DO NOT overfill oil filler. Doing
so may result in oil carry-over to the
equipment and cause malfunction or
damage.
NOTE: DO NOT allow oil level to fall
below and “L” mark on dipstick. Doing so
may result in equipment malfunction or
damage.
13. Wipe away any spilled oil.
14. Check the oil level by installing the Oil Fill
Cap/Dipstick.
• For threaded Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick
models, rest the cap on the
threads, do not tighten down the
cap to check the oil level.
• For quarter-turn Oil Fill Cap/
Dipstick models, tighten down the
cap to check the oil level.
NOTE: See the Set-Up section earlier in
this manual for detailed instructions on
identifying and checking the oil on each
of these specific engine models.
15. Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick. If the
level is low, slowly add oil until oil level
registers between high (H) and low (L),
Figure 3-2 and Figure 3-3 in the Set-Up
section.
16. Repeat Steps 14 & 15 to be sure that the
correct oil level has been achieved.
17. Once the proper oil level has been
confirmed, install the Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick.
Tighten securely
18. Carefully disconnect spark plug wire from
grounding post, if present.
19. Carefully reconnect the spark plug wire
to the spark plug.
NOTE: It is advisable to recheck the oil level
after you have operated the engine for a
short while, and the normal engine operating
temperature has been achieved.
WARNING!
If the engine has been running, the muffler,
engine head and spark plug will be very hot. Be
careful not to touch any of these components until
they have cooled.
Spark Plug Service
WARNING!
DO NOT check for spark with spark plug removed.
DO NOT crank engine with spark plug removed.
Check the spark plug yearly or every 100
operating hours. To ensure proper engine
operation, the spark plug must be properly
gapped and free of deposits.
1. Remove the spark plug boot.
2. Clean the area around the spark plug.
3. Use a spark plug wrench to remove the
plug.
WARNING!
If the engine has been running, the muffler,
engine head and spark plug will be very hot. Be
careful not to touch any of these components until
they have cooled.
4. Visually inspect the spark plug. Discard
the spark plug if there is apparent wear,
or if the insulator is cracked or chipped.
Replace the plug if the electrodes are
pitted, burned or fouled with deposits.
5. Clean the spark plug with a wire brush if it
is to be reused.
6. Measure the plug gap with a feeler
gauge. Correct as necessary by bending
side electrode. See “Figure 6-4”. The gap
should be set to 0.030 in. (0.76mm).
7. Check that the spark plug washer is in
good condition
8. Thread the spark plug in by hand to
prevent cross-threading.
9. After the spark plug is seated, tighten
with a spark plug wrench to compress the
washer.
NOTE: When installing a new spark
plug, tighten ⁄ turn after the spark plug
seats to compress the washer. When
reinstalling a used spark plug, tighten
⁄-⁄ turn after the spark plug seats to
compress the washer.
NOTE: The spark plug must be securely
tightened. An improperly tightened
spark plug can become very hot and may
damage the engine.
Electrode
0.06-0.03 in.
0.60-0.80 mm
Figure 6-4
Air Filter
NOTE: Not all engines have air filters, such as
engines used for snow throwers. Service the air
filter if one is present.
Paper filters cannot be cleaned and must be
replaced once a year or every 100 operating
hours; more often if used in extremely dusty
conditions.
WARNING!
Never use gasoline or low flash point solvents
for cleaning the air cleaner element. A fire or
explosion could result.
NOTE: Never run the engines that have air filters
without them. Rapid engine wear can result.