Replacing The Spark Plug; Cleaning The Cooling System; Cleaning The Plug And Discharge Tunnel; Emptying The Fuel Tank - Toro 20789 Operator's Manual

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Figure 29
1. Belt cover
3. Lift off the cover and remove all debris from the belt
area.
4. Install the belt cover.

Replacing the Spark Plug

Check the spark plug after every 25 operating hours. Use a
Champion RC12YC spark plug or equivalent.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Remove the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 9).
3. Clean around the spark plug.
4. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head.
IMPORTANT:
Replace a cracked, fouled, or dirty
spark plug. Do not clean the electrodes because grit
entering the cylinder can cause engine damage.
5. Set the gap on the new plug to 0.020 in. (0.50 mm)
(Fig. 30).
.020 in.
(.50 mm)
Figure 30
6. Install the spark plug and the gasket seal.
7. Torque the plug to 15 ft-lb (20 N m).
8. Install the wire to the spark plug.

Cleaning the Cooling System

After every 100 operating hours or every season, clean the
dirt and the chaff from the cylinder, the cylinder head fins
and around the carburetor and the linkage. Remove debris
from the air intake slots on the recoil housing. This will
ensure proper cooling and the best engine performance.
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2. Bolts
986
Cleaning the Plug and
Discharge Tunnel
To ensure the best performance, clean the discharge tunnel
plug after each use. When the grass is thick and lush,
clippings may collect on and around the plug, making
plug removal difficult.
Always be sure that the discharge tunnel door closes when
you release the handle. If debris prevents the discharge
door from closing, clean the inside of the discharge tunnel
and the door thoroughly.

Emptying the Fuel Tank

1. Stop the engine and wait for it to cool.
2. Remove the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 9).
Note: Drain the gasoline from a cold engine only.
3. Remove the cap from the fuel tank (Fig. 8).
4. Use a pump-type syphon to drain the fuel into a clean,
approved gasoline container.
5. Install the wire onto the spark plug.
6. Run the engine until it stops.
7. Start the engine again to make sure that all the
gasoline is out of the carburetor.

Charging the Battery

Electric Start Models only
Charge a new battery for 72 continuous hours to ensure a
full charge. Charge the battery before and after long
periods of storage. During normal operation, the engine
alternator keeps the battery charged.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire harness from the battery (Fig. 7).
3. Remove the battery by lifting it up and off of the lower
handle.
Note: You do not need to remove the battery if the lawn
mower is near an electrical outlet.
4. Connect the Toro electro charger to the battery and
plug it into a 120VAC power outlet.
IMPORTANT:
Use only the Toro electro charger;
other chargers could damage the battery. Always
charge the battery indoors and at room temperature
(70 F) when possible. Do not charge the battery longer
than 72 hours; overcharging can damage the battery.
5. After charging the battery, unplug the charger and
disconnect it from the battery.
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