Before Starting Engine; Engine Oil; To Start Engine; Adding Engine Oil - MTD 3AA & 3CA Operator's Manual

Before Starting Engine

Engine Oil

The engine is shipped with oil in it. Check the oil level
before first use.
1. Stop engine and wait several minutes before checking
oil level. Remove oil fill cap and dipstick.
2. Wipe dipstick clean, insert it into oil fill hole, and
tighten securely.
3. With engine on level ground, oil must be to FULL mark
on dipstick. See Figure 8. If oil level is low, add oil.
FULL
Between FULL and ADD
ADD
Figure 8

Adding Engine Oil

Be sure to use the grade of engine oil specified in engine
manual. To add oil:
1. Remove the dipstick from the oil fill. Pour fresh oil
slowly through the plug. Replace dipstick.
2. Check and make sure that the level of oil is up to the
FULL mark on the dipstick.
IMPORTANT: For detailed engine information, see the
separate engine owner's manual included with this unit.
Gasoline
WARNING: Gasoline is flammable and
caution must be used when handling or
storing it. Do not fill fuel tank while the
snow thrower is running, when it is hot
or when it is in an enclosed area.
WARNING: Keep your snow thrower away
from any open flame or an electrical spark
and do not smoke during fueling.
3. Never fill the fuel tank completely. Fill the tank to
no more than 1/2-inch below bottom of filler neck to
provide space for expansion of fuel.
NOTE: This unit may include a fuel plug, which is only
used during assembly to keep dirt and debris out of fuel
tank. Discard the fuel plug before filling the fuel tank.
4. Always use clean, fresh, unleaded grade automotive
gasoline. Fill the fuel tank outdoors and use a funnel
or spout to prevent spilling. Make sure that the
container from which you pour the gasoline is clean
5. At the end of the job, empty the fuel tank if the snow
CAUTION: Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank.
the chute assembly has been properly installed and
is secured.
For location of all the engine controls referred to in this
Maintain Oil Level
section, see the engine owner's manual.
Recoil Starter–Cold Start
1. Make sure that auger and drive controls are
2. Turn fuel valve on, if so equipped.
3. Move throttle control to FAST position.
4. Push key into the ignition slot so that it snaps into
5. Rotate choke control to FULL choke position.
6. Push primer button while covering the vent hole.
7. Grasp starter handle and pull rope out slowly until engine
8. Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke.
9. As the engine warms up, rotate the choke knob slowly
10. Allow the engine to warm up for a few minutes
11. Operate the engine at full throttle (FAST) when
Warm Start:
1. If restarting an engine after a temporary shut-down,
9
and free from rust or other foreign particles. Make
sure to wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the
engine.
thrower is not going to be used for 30 days or longer.
Store gasoline in a clean container and keep the cap
in place on the container.

To Start Engine

WARNING: Be sure no one other than
the operator is standing near the snow
thrower while starting or operating. Do
not operate this snow thrower unless
released. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug.
place. Do not turn key.
Remove your finger from the primer between primes.
Do not prime if temperature is above 50º F; prime
two times between 50º F and 15º F; and prime four
times below 15º F.
reaches start of compression cycle (rope will pull
slightly harder at this point). Let the rope rewind slowly.
Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope
return to the starter slowly. Repeat until engine starts.
to OFF position. If the engine falters, return to FULL
choke, then slowly move to OFF choke position.
because the engine will not develop full power until it
reaches operating temperature.
throwing snow.
rotate choke to OFF instead of FULL and do not
prime. Pull starter handle as instructed before.
5
Operation
WARNING
Gasoline is flammable
and caution must be used
when handling or storing
it. Do not fill fuel tank
while the snow thrower is
running, when it is hot or
when it is in an enclosed
area.
Keep your snow thrower
away from any open flame
or an electrical spark
and do not smoke during
fueling.
Be sure no one other than
the operator is standing
near the snow thrower
while starting or operat-
ing. Do not operate this
snow thrower unless the
chute assembly has been
properly installed and is
secured.
The electric starter must
be properly grounded at
all times to avoid the pos-
sibility of electric shock
to the operator. If your
house wiring system is
not a three-wire grounded
system, do not use this
electric starter under any
conditions.