8
4
Maintaining
Your
Engine
WARNING
Shut off the engine
before performing
any maintenance. To
prevent accidental
start-up, disconnect
the spark plug boot.
Figure 4-1
Tasks
First 5 Hrs.
Each Use or
Every 5 Hrs.
Every Season
or 25 Hrs.
Every Season
or 50 Hrs.
Every Season
or 100 Hrs.
Service
Dates
Check Engine
Oil
Change
Engine Oil
††
Check Air
Cleaner
Service Air
Cleaner
†
Check Spark
Plug
Service Spark
Plug
Clean Finger
Guard
Clean Around
Muffler
WARNING: Shut off the engine before
performing any maintenance. To
prevent accidental start-up, disconnect
the spark plug boot.
IMPORTANT
: If engine must be tipped to transport
equipment or to inspect or remove grass, keep spark
plug side of engine up. Transporting or tipping engine
spark plug down may cause smoking, hard starting,
spark plug fouling, or oil saturation of air cleaner.
Periodic inspection and adjustment of the engine is
essential if high level performance is to be maintained.
Regular maintenance will also ensure a long service life.
The required service intervals and the kind of mainte-
nance to be performed are described in the table below.
Follow the hourly or calendar intervals, whichever occur
first. More frequent service is required when operating in
adverse conditions.
Maintenance Schedule
† Service more frequently when used in dusty areas.
†† Every season or 25 hours if operating under heavy load or high ambient temperature.
Oil Service
• Check oil level regularly.
• Be sure correct oil level is maintained. Check every
5 hours or daily before starting engine. See oil
checking procedure on page 5.
Oil Change
IMPORTANT
: Be sure to check engine on a level surface
with the engine stopped. Drain the oil while the engine is
still warm to assure rapid and complete draining.
1. Remove oil fill cap and drain oil by either removing
drain plug or turning mower on its side (air cleaner
side up) and allowing oil to drain into a suitable
container. See Figure 4-1.
WARNING: Before tipping engine or
equipment to drain oil, drain fuel from
tank by running engine until fuel tank is
empty.
2. Reinstall the drain plug (if removed), and tighten it
securely.
3. Refill with the recommended oil (see page 5) and
check the oil level. See Figure 4-1.
4. Reinstall the oil fill cap securely.
Before tipping engine
or equipment to
drain oil, drain fuel
from tank by running
engine until fuel tank
is empty.
IMPORTANT
Be sure to check
engine on a level
surface with the engine
stopped. Drain the oil
while the engine is still
warm to assure rapid
and complete draining.
Oil Fill Cap
Drain
Plug
Level
