Toro 71209 Operator's Manual page 25

Removing the Spark Plug
1. Disengage the blade (PTO).
2. Shift the ground speed into Neutral.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts
to stop.
5. Remove the ignition key.
6. Open the hood.
7. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug
(Figure 25).
Figure 25
1. Spark-plug wire
8. Clean around the spark plug to prevent dirt
from falling into the engine and potentially
causing damage.
9. Remove the spark plug and metal washer.
Checking the Spark Plug
1. Look at the center of the spark plug (Figure 26).
If you see light brown or gray on the insulator,
the engine is operating properly. A black
coating on the insulator usually means that the
air cleaner is dirty.
Figure 26
1. Center electrode insulator
2. Side electrode
Important: Do not 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 (Figure 26) and bend the side
electrode if the gap is not correct.
Installing the Spark Plug
1. Install the spark plug and metal washer.
Note: Make sure that the air gap is set
correctly.
2. Tighten the spark plug to 15 ft-lb (20 N·m).
3. Connect the wire to the spark plug (Figure 25).
4. Close the hood.
25
3. Air gap (not to scale)