Maintaining Your Engine - MTD 5DM Series Operator's Manual

10
Maintaining
Your
Engine
WARNING
Shut off the engine
before performing
any maintenance. To
prevent accidental
start-up, disconnect
the spark plug boot.
IMPORTANT
Be sure to check
engine on a level
surface with the engine
stopped. Drain the oil
while the engine is still
warm to assure rapid
and complete draining.
WARNING: Shut off the engine before
performing any maintenance. To
prevent accidental start-up, disconnect
the spark plug boot.
IMPORTANT: If engine must be tipped to transport
equipment or to inspect, keep spark plug side of engine
up. Transporting or tipping engine spark plug down may
cause smoking, hard starting, spark plug fouling, or oil
saturation of air cleaner.
First 5 hours
Tasks
Check Engine
Oil
Change Engine
Oil
Check Air
Cleaner
Service Air
Cleaner
Check Spark
Plug
Service Spark
Plug
Clean Finger
Guard
Clean Around
Muffler
† Service more frequently when used in dusty areas.
†† If operating under heavy load or high ambient temperature.
Oil Fill Cap
Oil
Drain
Figure 10-1: Changing the oil.
Periodic inspection and adjustment of the engine is
essential if high level performance is to be maintained.
Regular maintenance will also ensure a long service life.
The required service intervals and the kind of mainte-
nance to be performed are described in the table below.
Follow the hourly or calendar intervals, whichever occur
first. More frequent service is required when operating in
adverse conditions.
Maintenance Schedule
Each use or Every season
every 5 hours or 25 hours
Oil Service
• Check oil level regularly.
• Be sure correct oil level is maintained. Check every five
hours or daily before starting engine. See oil checking
procedure in the Operation section.
Oil Change
IMPORTANT: Be sure to check engine on a level surface
with the engine stopped. Drain the oil while the engine is
still warm to assure rapid and complete draining.
1. Remove drain plug and allow oil to drain into a suitable
container. See Figure 10-1.
Level
2. Reinstall the drain plug and tighten it securely.
3. Refill with the recommended oil (see Operation
section) and check the oil level. See Figure 10-1.
4. Reinstall the oil fill cap securely.
0
Every season Every season
or 50 hours or 100 hours
Service Dates