Craftsman 917.273505 Owner's Manual page 21

Serviceair cleaner more often under
dusty conditions.
1. Loosen knobsand removecover.
TO SERVICEPRE-CLEANER
2. Removefoam pre-cleanerfrom cover.
3. Wash it in liquiddetergentand water.
4. Squeezeit dry in a clean cloth. Allow it
to dry.
5. Saturateit in engineoil. Wrap it in
clean,absorbentcloth and squeezeto
removeexcessoil.
TO SERVICEPAPERCARTRIDGE
• Replacea dirty, bent, or damagedcar-
tridge. Handlenewcartridge carefully;
do not use if the rubberseal is dam-
aged.
NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge
or use pressurizedair, as this will damage
the cartridge.
1. Carefullyremovecartridge and grid to
preventdebris from enteringcarbu-
retor.Clean base carefully to prevent
debris from entering carburetor.
2. Separatethe grid from paper cartridge
and gentlytap pleatedside of cartridge
to dislodge dirt. Nevertry to brush off
dirt; brushingwill force dirt into the
fibers of the paper element.
3. Installthe grid over the paper car-
tridge,then install the assembly into
the air cleaner base.The grid must be
placed betweenthe foam pre-cleaner
and the paper cartridge to preventoil
fromtransferringto the paper element.
4. Reinstallthe pre-cleaner(cleanedand
oiled) into the cover.
5. Reinstallair cleanercoverand secure
by tighteningknobs.
Foam
Pre-Cleaner
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and
chaff to prevent engine damage from
overheating. Clean with a wire brush or
compressed air to remove dirt and stub-
born dried gum fibers.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the
grass screen, cooling fins, and other exter-
nal surfaces of the engine are kept clean
at all times.
Every 100 hours of operation (more often
under extremely dusty, dirty conditions),
remove the blower housing and other cool-
ing shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and
external surfaces as necessary. Make sure
the cooling shrouds are reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a
blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cool-
ing fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will
cause engine damage due to overheating.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and
spark arrester (if equipped) as it could cre-
ate a fire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUG(S)
Replace spark plug(s) at the beginning
of each mowing season or after every
100 hours of operation, whichever occurs
first. Spark plug type and gap setting are
shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"
section of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER
The fuel filter should be replaced once
each season. If fuel filter becomes
clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbu-
retor, replacement is required.
1. With engine cool, remove filter and
plug fuel line sections.
2. Place new fuel filter in position in fuel
line with arrow pointing towards carbu-
retor.
3. Be sure there are no fuel line leaks
and clamps are properly positioned.
4. Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso-
line.
Air Cleaner
Base
Fuel Filter
21