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9. MAINTENANCE
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE
Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and trouble-free operation. It will also help reduce
air pollution.
WARNING!
Improper maintenance, or failure to correct problem before operation, can cause
a malfunction in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance recommendations and schedules in this owner’s manual.
To help you properly care for your generator, the following pages include a maintenance schedule,
routine inspection procedures, and simple maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service
tasks that are more difficult, or require special tools, are best handled by professionals and are normally
performed by our technician or other qualified mechanic.
The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions, If you operate your generator under
severe conditions, such as sustained high-load or high-temperature operation, or use it in unusually wet
or dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer for recommendations applicable to your individual
needs and use.
Remember that your servicing dealer knows your generator best and is fully equipped to maintain and
repair it.
To ensure the best quality and reliability, use only new, genuine parts or their equivalents for repair or
replacement. Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and systems may be
performed by any engine repair establishment or individual, using parts that are “certified” to EPA
standards.
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.
WARNING!
Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and precautions can cause
you to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions in the owner’s manual.
Safety precautions
•
Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or repairs. This will eliminate
several potential hazards:
•
Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.
Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate the engine.
•
Burns from hot parts.
Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching.
•
Injury from moving parts.
Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.
•
Read the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have the tools and skills required.
•
To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when working around gasoline. Use only a
nonflammable solvent, not gasoline, to clean parts, Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away from all
fuel-related parts.
