Use and Care Manual

16
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
NOTE: Do not spray engine with water to clean because water
could contaminate fuel. Using a garden hose or pressure washing
equipment can also force water into the air cleaner or muffler
opening. Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper element,
and water that passes through the element or muffler can enter
the cylinder, causing damage.
WARNING
Accumulation of debris around muffler could cause a fire.
Inspect and clean before and after each use.
Fuel Storage
WARNING
NEVER store engine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a
building with potential sources of ignition such as hot
water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, electric motor,
etc. Failure to do so may result in an explosion and result
in death or serious injury.
NOTE: If engine fuel stored in the fuel tank and/or an approved
fuel container is to be unused without fuel stabilizer for more
than 15-30 days, prepare it for short-term/seasonal storage. See
Fuel Treatment later in this section.
NOTE: If engine fuel is to be stored for more than one season,
without fuel stabilizer, it will gradually deteriorate. Also, if it
is stored in the engine’s fuel tank without fuel stabilizer it is
likely that your carburetor will have gum deposits, a clogged
fuel system and will VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Prepare the fuel for
extended storage.
FUEL SYSTEM
To avoid stale fuel and carburetor problems, treat the fuel system
in the following manner:
NOTE: Always follow mix ratio found on the stabilizer container.
Failure to do so may result in engine damage.
NOTE: It is NOT necessary to drain stabilized fuel from carburetor.
FUEL TREATMENT
1. Add a fuel stabilizer
according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
2. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding the stabilizer to
allow it to reach the carburetor.
NOTE: Instead of using a fuel preservative/stabilizer, you can
empty the fuel tank as described in Extended Storage —
Draining the Fuel.
Extended Storage
DRAINING THE FUEL
NOTE: Clean debris from the engine before draining fuel from
the carburetor.
NOTE: If you have prepared your fuel for short-term storage it
is NOT necessary to drain fuel that contains stabilizer from your
carburetor.
WARNING
Before tipping engine or equipment to drain oil, drain
fuel from tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.
1. To prevent serious injury from fuel fires, empty fuel tank
by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel. DO NOT
attempt to pour fuel from engine.
2. Run the engine until the remaining fuel is consumed.
WARNING
NEVER leave the engine unattended when it is running
and NEVER run the engine in an enclosed area.
3. Begin servicing the cylinder bore as per the following
instructions.
OIL CYLINDER BORE
WARNING
When lubricating cylinder bore, fuel may spray from the
spark plug hole. To prevent serious injury from fuel fires,
follow these instructions:
1. Turn off all the engine switches.
2. Remove the safety key, if provided.
3. Carefully disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it
against the engine.
• Keep the disconnected spark plug wire securely away
from the spark plug and metal parts where arcing could
occur.
• Carefully attach the spark plug wire to the grounding
post, if provided.
4. Remove the spark plug.
5. Squirt 1⁄2 oz. (15ml) of clean engine oil into the spark plug
hole.
6. Cover the spark plug hole with a rag to prevent fuel from
spraying from the spark plug hole when the recoil starter is
pulled.
NOTE: for engines equipped with a recoil starter, proceed to Step
7. For engines equipped with electric starters, proceed to Step 8.