14 Generac
®
Power Systems, Inc.
3.3
MAINTAINING THE ENGINE AIR
CLEANER
3.3.1 CLEANING THE FOAM PRECLEANER
Clean and re-oil the foam precleaner every six
months. Service the foam precleaner more frequent-
ly if operating the generator in extremely dusty or
dirty conditions. Use the following procedure (Figure
3.2):
Figure 3.2 — Engine Air Cleaner
1. Turn the two screws counterclockwise to loosen.
2. Remove the cover, foam precleaner and paper fil-
ter.
3. Remove the foam precleaner from the cover.
4. Wash the foam precleaner in liquid detergent and
water.
5. Wrap the foam precleaner in a clean cloth and
gently squeeze it dry.
6. Saturate the foam precleaner in clean engine oil.
Gently squeeze it in a clean cloth to remove
excess oil and to distribute oil (DO NOT TWIST).
7. Install the foam precleaner into the cover, fol-
lowed by the paper filter.
8. Install the cover, foam precleaner and paper filter.
9. Tighten the two screws to retain the filter in place.
3.3.2 CLEANING OR REPLACING THE PAPER
FILTER
Once each year or more frequently if operating in
dirty or dusty conditions, clean or replace the paper
filter. The new replacement filter must be flame retar-
dant. Service the paper filter more frequently if oper-
ating the generator in extremely dusty or dirty condi-
tions. Use the following procedure (Figure 3.2):
1. Follow steps 1-3 in Section 3.3.1; service the
foam precleaner if necessary.
2. Remove the paper filter.
3. Clean the air filter by tapping it gently on a solid
surface. If the filter is too dirty, replace it with a
new one. Dispose of the old filter properly.
4. Clean the air cleaner cover then reassemble fol-
lowing steps 7-9 in Section 3.3.1.
3.4
CLEAN AIR INTAKE
Clean all foreign material from the air intake (Figure
3.3) at least once every six months. Clean more often
if necessary.
Inspect the area around the generator periodically
and remove all grass, leaves, etc., from area.
Figure 3.3 — Cleaning Air Intake
3.5
CHECKING THE ENGINE SPARK
PLUG
Clean the spark plug and reset the spark plug gap
annually. Replace spark plug when the electrodes
have worn to the point where the proper gap cannot
accurately be set, or if the insulation is cracked.
1. Clean the area around the base of the spark plug
to keep dirt and debris out of the engine. Remove
the spark plug and check the condition. Replace
the spark plug if worn or if reuse is questionable.
2. Clean spark plug by scraping or washing using a
wire brush and commercial solvent. Do not blast
the spark plug to clean.
3. Check the spark plug gap using a wire feeler
gauge. Adjust the gap to 0.030 inch (0.76 mm) by
carefully bending the ground electrode (Figure
3.4).
Figure 3.4 — Setting the Spark Plug Gap
USTC
USTC
Section 3 – Maintenance
CENTURION 3500 Home Standby Generator
