Troubleshooting - Craftsman 944.361535 Owner's Manual

ENGINE
FUEL SYS TEM
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent
gum deposits from forming in essential
fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel
fi lter, fuel hose or tank during storage.
Also, alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol
or using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and
formation of acids during storage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage.
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines
and car bu re tor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
prod ucts in the fuel tank or per ma nent
damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable
al ter na tive in minimizing the formation
of fuel gum deposits during stor age.
Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or
storage con tain er. Always follow the mix
ratio found on stabilizer container. Run
engine at least 10 min utes after adding
stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach
the car bu re tor. Do not empty the gas tank
and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Service Center.
PROBLEM
Does not start 1. Dirty air fi lter.
2. Out of fuel.
3. Stale fuel.
4. Water in fuel.
5. Spark plug wire is
6. Bad spark plug.
7. Loose blade or broken
8. Control bar in released
9. Control bar defective.
10. Fuel valve lever (if so
11. Weak battery (if equipped).
12. Disconnected battery
CAUSE
disconnected.
blade adapter.
position.
equipped) in OFF position.
connector (if equipped).
14
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in
the Maintenance section of this manual).
CYLINDER
1. Remove spark plug.
2. Pour 30 ml of oil through spark plug
hole into cylinder.
3. Pull starter handle slowly a few times
to dis trib ute oil.
4. Replace with new spark plug.
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to protect it from dust and dirt.
• Cover your unit with a suitable pro tec tive
cover that does not retain moisture. Do
not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe,
which allows con den sa tion to form and
will cause your unit to rust.
IMPORTANT: Never cover mower while
en gine and exhaust areas are still warm.
CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower
with gaso line in the tank inside a build ing
where fumes may reach an open fl ame
or spark. Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any en clo sure.
CORRECTION
1. Clean/replace air fi lter.
2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
4. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
5. Connect wire to plug.
6. Replace spark plug.
7. Tighten blade bolt or
replace blade adapter.
8. Depress control bar to
handle.
9. Replace control bar.
10. Turn fuel valve lever
to the ON position.
11. Charge battery.
12. Connect battery to engine.