Engine Maintenance
Servicing the Air Cleaner
Service Interval:
Before each use or daily—Inspect the
air-cleaner elements.
Every 50 hours—Clean the air-filter elements. Clean
them more frequently in dusty operating conditions.
Every 300 hours/Yearly (whichever comes
first)—Replace the paper air-cleaner element. Replace
it more frequently in dusty operating conditions.
Important:
Do not operate the engine without the
air-filter assembly; extreme engine damage will occur.
1.
Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2.
Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
3.
Remove the nut that secures the cover (
).
G019427
Figure 14
1.
Nut
3.
Paper element
2.
Cover
4.
Foam element
4.
Remove the cover.
Note:
Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from
falling into the base.
5.
Remove the nut-restraining air-filter assembly.
6.
Remove the foam and paper elements from the base
(
).
7.
Remove the foam element from the paper element
(
).
8.
Inspect the foam and paper elements, and replace them
if they are damaged or excessively dirty.
9.
If the paper element is excessively dirty, replace it.
Note:
Never try to brush dirt off the paper element;
brushing forces the dirt into the fibers.
10.
Clean the foam element in warm, soapy water or in
a
nonflammable
solvent.
11.
Rinse and dry the foam element thoroughly.
12.
Dip the foam element in clean engine oil, then squeeze
out the excess oil.
Note:
Excess oil in the foam element restricts the air
flow through the element and may reach the paper
filter and clog it.
13.
Wipe dirt from the base and the cover with a moist rag.
Note:
Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from
entering the air duct leading to the carburetor.
14.
Install the air-cleaner elements and ensure that they are
properly positioned.
15.
Securely install the cover with the nut.
Servicing the Engine Oil
Oil Type:
Detergent oil (API service SJ or higher)
Crankcase Capacity:
1.1 L (37 oz)
Viscosity:
See the table below (
g013375
0 20 40 60 80 100 F
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 C
o
o
30
5W - 30 / 10W - 30
Figure 15
Changing the Engine Oil
Service Interval:
After the first 25 hours
Every 100 hours
WARNING
Oil may be hot after the engine has been run, and
contact with hot oil can cause severe personal injury.
Avoid contacting the hot engine oil when you drain
it.
1.
Stop the engine by releasing the operator-presence bail,
disengage the flail blades, and wait for all moving parts
to stop.
2.
Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
3.
Raise the front wheels a few inches off the ground and
place a pan under the drain plug to catch the oil.
15