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Servicing the Spark Plug
Service Interval: Every 200 hours—Check spark plug
condition and gap.
Every 500 hours—Replace the spark plug.
The spark plug is RFI compliant. Equivalent alternate
brand plugs can also be used. Spark plug replacement is
recommended at 500 hours.
Type: Champion XC12YC (or equivalent)
Air Gap: 0.76 mm (0.030 inch)
Removing the Spark Plug
Important: Clean around the spark plug to prevent
dirt from falling into the engine and potentially causing
damage.
Note: The spark plug is most accessible when the
blower housing is removed for cleaning; refer to
Cleaning the Blower Housing (page 27).
1. Disengage the blade control switch, move the motion
controls outward to the park position, stop the engine,
and remove the key.
2. Pull the wire off of the spark plug (Figure 33).
3. Clean the recessed area around the spark plug.
Note: Due to the deep recess around the spark plug,
blowing out the cavity with compressed air is usually
the most effective method for cleaning.
4. Remove the spark plug and metal washer.
1. Spark plug and wire location
Checking the Spark Plug
1. Look at the center of the spark plug (Figure 34). If you
see light brown or gray on the insulator, the engine is
operating properly. A black coating on the insulator
usually means the air cleaner is dirty.
1
G014537
Figure 33
Important: Never clean the spark plug. Always
replace the spark plug when it has a black coating,
worn electrodes, an oily film, or cracks.
2. Check the gap between the center and side electrodes
using a wire feeler gauge (Figure 34). Bend the side
electrode (Figure 34) if the gap is not correct.
1. Center electrode insulator
2. Side electrode
Installing the Spark Plug
Important: Ensure that the air gap of the spark plug
is set correctly.
1. Install the spark plug into the engine.
2. Tighten the spark plug to 27 N-m (20 ft-lb).
3. Push the wire onto the spark plug (Figure 33).
Cleaning the Blower Housing
To ensure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling
fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean
at all times.
Annually or every 100 hours of operation (more often under
extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing
and any other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and
external surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds
are reinstalled. Torque the blower housing screws to 7.5 N-m
(5.5 ft-lb).
Important: Operating the engine with a blocked grass
screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling
shrouds removed, will cause engine damage due to
overheating.
27
Figure 34
3. 0.76 mm (0.030 inch) Air
gap (illustration is not to
scale)
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