Engine Maintenance; Checking Oil Level; Changing The Oil And Oil Filter; Replacing The Spark Plug - Guardian 005348-0 Owner's Manual

3.3.3 ENGINE MAINTENANCE


When working on the generator, always
disconnect negative cable from battery. Also
disconnect spark plug wires from spark plug
and keep wire away from spark plug.

3.3.4 CHECKING OIL LEVEL

See the "BEFORE STARTING THE GENERATOR" section for
information on checking the oil level. The oil level should be checked
before each use, or at least every eight hours of operation. Keep the
oil level maintained.

3.3.5 CHANGING THE OIL AND OIL FILTER

Change the oil and filter after the first eight hours of operation. Change
the oil every 100 hours thereafter. If running this unit under dirty or
dusty conditions, or in extremely hot weather, change the oil more
often.
Whenever possible, run engine for approximately 5 minutes to
get the engine oil hot. This will aid in draining the oil.
Use the following instructions to change the oil while the engine
is still warm:
• Clean area around oil drain plug.
• Remove oil drain plug from engine and oil fill plug to drain oil
completely into a suitable container.
• When oil has completely drained, install oil drain plug and tighten
securely.
• Place a suitable container beneath the oil filter and turn
filter counterclockwise to remove. Discard according to local
regulations.
• Coat gasket of new filter with clean engine oil. Turn filter clockwise
until gasket contacts lightly with filter adapter. Then tighten an
additional 3/4 turn.
• Fill oil sump with recommended oil. (See "Before Starting the
Generator" for oil recommendations).
• Wipe up any spilled oil.

3.3.6 REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG

Use Champion RC14YC spark plug or equivalent. Replace the plug
once each year. This will help the engine start easier and run better.
1. Stop the engine and pull the spark plug wire off of the spark
plug.
2. Clean the area around the spark plug and remove it from the
cylinder head.
3. Set the spark plug's gap to .076 mm (0.030 in.). Install the
correctly gapped spark plug into the cylinder head (Figure 16).
12
Section 3 — Maintenance
Portable Generator System
DANGER
NOTE:
Figure 16 - Spark Plug Gap

3.4 SERVICE AIR CLEANER

The engine will not run properly and may be damaged if using a dirty
air cleaner. Clean or replace the air cleaner paper filter once a year
(Figure 17). Clean or replace more often if operating under dusty
conditions. Clean foam pre-cleaner every month or more often under
dusty conditions.
Figure 17 - Air Cleaner
BASE
FILTER
To clean or replace foam pre-cleaner:
• Remove air cleaner cover, then foam pre-filter.
• Wash pre-cleaner in soapy water. Squeeze pre-filter dry in clean
cloth (DO NOT TWIST).
• Clean air cleaner cover before re-installing it.
To clean or replace paper air filter:
• Remove air cleaner cover; then remove foam pre-filter (service if
necessary) and remove paper filter.
• Clean paper 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.
• Clean air cleaner cover then slip pre-cleaner over filter. Next insert
new paper filter into the base of the air cleaner. Re-install air
cleaner cover.
To order a new air filter, please contact the nearest authorized
service center at 1-800-333-1322.
PRE-CLEANER
COVER
NOTE: