Servicing The Spark Plug - Toro 71246 Operator's Manual

Cleaning the Foam and Paper Elements
Foam Element:
1. Wash the foam element in liquid soap and warm water.
When the element is clean, rinse it thoroughly.
2. Dry the element by squeezing it in a clean cloth. Do not
oil the element.
Important
Replace the foam element if it is torn or
worn.
Paper Element:
1. Lightly tap the element on a flat surface to remove dust
and dirt.
2. Carefully clean the rubber seal on the paper element to
prevent debris from entering the engine.
3. Inspect the element for tears, an oily film, and damage
to the rubber seal.
Important
Never clean the paper element with
pressurized air or liquids such as solvents, gasoline, or
kerosene. Replace the paper element if it is damaged or
cannot be cleaned thoroughly.
Installing the Foam and Paper Elements
Important
To prevent engine damage, always operate
the engine with the complete foam and paper air cleaner
assembly installed.
1. Place the foam element and paper element into the
blower housing.
Note: Make sure that the rubber seal is flat against the air
cleaner base.
2. Align the tabs on the air cleaner cover with the slots of
the blower housing (Fig. 24).
3. Hook the handle onto the cover and press down on the
handle to lock the cover in place.
4. Close the hood.

Servicing the Spark Plug

Check the spark plug after every 25 operating hours. Install
a new Champion QC12YC or equivalent spark plug after
every 100 operating hours. Make sure that the air gap
between the center and side electrodes is 0.030 in.
(0.76 mm) before installing the spark plug. Use a spark
plug wrench for removing and installing the spark plug and
a gapping tool/feeler gauge to check and adjust the air gap.
Removing the Spark Plug
1. Disengage the PTO and set the parking brake.
2. Stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all
moving parts to stop before leaving the operating
position.
3. Open the hood.
4. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 25).
1
Figure 25
1. Spark plug wire
5. Clean around the spark plug to prevent dirt from falling
into the engine and potentially causing damage.
6. Remove the spark plug and metal washer.
Checking the Spark Plug
1. Look at the center of the spark plug (Fig. 26). 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.
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
(Fig. 26). Bend the side electrode (Fig. 26) if the gap is
not correct.
2
Figure 26
1. Center electrode insulator
2. Side electrode
26
3
1
0.030 in.
(0.76 mm)
m-1870
3. Air gap (not to scale)