MAINTENANCE
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6.
MAINTENANCE
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE
Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and trouble-free operation. It will also
help reduce air pollution.
Improperly maintaining this engine,
or failure to correct a 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 engine, 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 a technician or other qualified
mechanic.
The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions. If you operate your
engine under unusual conditions, such as sustained high-load or high-temperature
operation, or use in unusually wet or dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer for
recommendations applicable to your individual needs and use.
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.
