Add Gasoline; To Start Engine; Warm Weather Starting; Cold Weather Starting - Craftsman 917.258900 Owner's Manual

OPERATUON
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded
gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded
gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits
and reduce valve life)., Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES
BELOW 32°F(0°C), USE FRESH, CLEAN WINTER GRADE
GASOLINE TO HELP INSURE GOOD COLD WEATHER
STARTING,.
WARNING: Experience indicates that 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. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be emptied before stor-
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc-
tions for additional information.. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
&
CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipeoffany
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)
When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine
has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move
fuel from the tank to the engine,
o Depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake,
o Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position.
° Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position,
o Move throttle control to fast (,_) position
o Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt.
For a warm engine start attempt the choke control may
not be needed..
Note: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting
procedures below,.
o Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to"START"
position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do
not run starter continuously for more than fifteen sec-
onds per minute. If the engine does not start after
several attempts, push choke contro! in, wait a few
minutes and try again,. If engine still does not start, pull
the choke control out and retry
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and above)
o When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly_ if the engine starts
to run roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a
few seconds and then continue to push the control in
slowly.
° The attachments and ground drive can now be used. if
the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine
and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke
as described above,
COLD WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and below)
° When engine starts, slowly push choke control in until
the engine begins to run smoothly. Continue to push
the choke control in small steps allowing the engine to
accept small changes in speed and load, until the
choke control is fully in If the engine starts to run
roughly, pull the choke control out slightly for a few
seconds and then continue to push the control in
slowtyo This may require an engine warm-up period
from several seconds to several minutes, depending
on the temperature.
o The attachments can be used during the engine warm-
up period and may require the choke control be pulled
out slightly.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold
temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may
need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See"TO
ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.
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