Craftsman 944.361330 Owner's Manual page 15

ENGINE
FUEL SYS TEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential fuel
system parts such as carburetor, fuel fi lter,
fuel hose, or tank during storage. Alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using
ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture
which leads to separation and formation
of acids during storage. Acidic gas can
damage the fuel system of an engine while
in storage.
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines
and car bu re tor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
prod ucts in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable
alternative in min i miz ing the formation of
fuel gum deposits during stor age. Add
stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or stor-
age container. Always follow the mix ratio
found on stabilizer container. Run engine
at least 10 min utes after adding stabilizer
to allow the stabilizer to reach the car-
buretor. Do not empty the gas tank and
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Parts & Repair Centre.
PROBLEM CAUSE
Does not start 1. Dirty air fi lter.
2. Out of fuel.
3. Stale fuel.
4. Water in fuel.
5. Spark plug wire is
disconnected.
6. Bad spark plug.
7. Loose blade or broken
blade adapter.
8. Control bar in released
position.
9. Control bar defective.
10. Fuel valve lever (if so
equipped) in OFF position.
11. Weak battery (if equipped).
12. Disconnected battery
connector (if equipped).
13. Blown fuse (if equipped).
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in
the Maintenance section of this man ual).
CYLINDER
1. Remove spark plug.
2. Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through
spark plug hole into cylinder.
3. Pull starter handle slowly a few times
to dis trib ute oil.
4. Replace with new spark plug.
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to protect it from dust and dirt.
• Cover your unit with a suitable pro tec -
tive cover that does not retain mois ture.
Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot
breathe, which allows condensation to
form and will cause your unit to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover mower while
engine and exhaust areas are still warm.
CAUTION: Never store the lawn
mower with gaso line in the tank in side a
build ing where fumes may reach an open
fl ame or spark. Allow the engine to cool
before storing in any enclosure.
CORRECTION
1. Clean/replace air fi lter.
2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
4. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
5. Connect wire to plug.
6. Replace spark plug.
7. Tighten blade bolt or
replace blade adapter.
8. Depress control bar to
handle.
9. Replace control bar.
10. Turn fuel valve lever
to the ON position.
11. Charge battery.
12. Connect battery to engine.
13. Replace fuse.
18
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
1. Remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a fl at sur-
face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as
ker o sene, are not to be used to clean car-
tridge. They may cause de te ri o ra tion of the
cartridge. Do not oil car tridge. Do not use
pres sur ized air to clean or dry car tridge.
4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.
Slot
Tab
Cartridge
Filter cover
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffl er as it
could create a fi re hazard and/or dam age.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs fi rst.
Spark plug type and gap setting are shown
in the "PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS"
section of this manual.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of built-grass and
trash. Clean the underside of your mower
after each use.
CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
• Clean the underside of your lawn mower
by scraping to remove build-up of grass
and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating. A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep fi nished surfaces and wheels free
of all gasoline, oil, etc.
• We do not recommend using a garden
hose to clean lawn mower unless the
elec tri cal system, muffl er, air fi lter and
carburetor are covered to keep water
out. Water in engine can result in short-
ened engine life.
WATER WASHOUT FEATURE
Your lawn mower is equipped with a fi tting
that allows quick and easy cleaning of
the underside of the housing. To use this
feature, proceed as follows:
1. Move lawn mower to an area of cut
grass or another hard surface.
NOTE: Water, grass and other debris will
drain from beneath the mower housing
during the washout process.
2. Remove grass catcher and discharge
chute assembly from lawn mower.
3. Close mulcher door (if equipped).
4. Connect a garden hose to the fi tting
where shown.
IMPORTANT: Be sure the garden hose is
not routed under the lawn mower housing
or entangled in the wheels.
5. Turn on water supply and check for
leaks at the fi tting.
If no leaks are present, start engine (as
described in the Operation section of
this manual) and let engine run until the
underside of the lawn mower is clean.
WARNING: Do not engage the drive
system during the washout process.
6. Shut off the engine.
7. Shut off water supply and remove
hose from fi tting.
CAUTION: Do not remove hose from
fi tting while engine is running. Water in
engine can result in shortened engine life.
8. Start engine (as described in the Op-
eration section of this manual) and let
engine run for a full minute to remove
excess water from mower.
Hose
Fitting
CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER
Clean under drive cover at least twice a
season. Scrape underside of cover with
putty knife or similar tool to remove any
build-up of trash or grass on underside of
drive cover.
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