Removing From Storage - Cub Cadet 18M Operator's Manual

10
Maintaining
Your
Engine
WARNING
Accumulation of
debris around muffler
could cause a fire.
Inspect and clean
before every use.
IMPORTANT
Do not spray engine
with water to clean
because water could
contaminate fuel.
Using a garden hose
or pressure washing
equipment can also
force water into the
air cleaner or muffler
opening. Water in the
air cleaner will soak
the paper element,
and water that passes
through the element
or muffler can enter
the cylinder, causing
damage.
Fuel Filter Service
The fuel filter cannot be cleaned and must be replaced
once a year or every 100 operating hours; more often if
run with old gasoline.
1. Remove all fuel from tank by running engine until it
stops from lack of fuel.
2. Remove c-clamp from fuel line and remove fuel line
from tank outlet. See Fig. 10-5.
3. Pull out old fuel filter from tank outlet. Replace when
dirty or damaged.
4. Grasp new fuel filter from shouldered end and insert
it completely to the shoulder into the tank outlet. See
Fig. 10-5 inset.
5. Replace fuel line and c-clamp.
Figure 10-
Clean Engine
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at
least half an hour before cleaning. Periodically remove
grass and dirt build-up from engine. Clean finger guard
and around muffler. Clean with a brush or compressed
air.
IMPORTANT: Do not spray engine with water to clean
because water could contaminate fuel. Using a garden
hose or pressure washing equipment can also force
water into the air cleaner or muffler opening. Water in
the air cleaner will soak the paper element, and water
that passes through the element or muffler can enter the
cylinder, causing damage.
WARNING: Accumulation of debris
around muffler could cause a fire.
Inspect and clean before every use.
Storage
Engines stored over 30 days need to be drained of fuel
to prevent deterioration and gum from forming in fuel
system or on essential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in
your engine deteriorates during storage, you may need to
have the carburetor, and other fuel system components,
serviced or replaced.
1. Remove all fuel from tank by running engine until it
stops from lack of fuel.
2. Change oil. See Oil Change on page 18.
3. Remove spark plug and pour about 15 ml of engine oil
into cylinder. Replace spark plug and crank slowly to
distribute oil.
4. Clean grass and debris from around engine, under
finger guard, and under, around and behind muffler.
Touch up any damaged paint, and coat other areas
that may rust with a light film of oil.
5. Store in a clean,dry and well ventilated area away from
any appliance that operates with a flame or pilot light,
such as a furnace, water heater, or clothes dryer. Also
avoid any area with a spark producing electric motor,
or where power tools are operated.
6. If possible, also avoid storage areas with high humidity,
because that promotes rust and corrosion.
7. Keep the engine level in storage. Tilting can cause fuel
or oil leakage.

Removing From Storage

1. Check your engine as described in the Pre-Operation
Check section of this manual on page 16.
2. If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill
the tank with fresh gasoline. If you keep a container
of gasoline for refueling, make certain it contains only
fresh fuel. Gasoline oxidizes and deteriorates over
time, causing hard starting.
3. If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage
preparation, the engine will smoke briefly at startup.
This is normal.
18