Craftsman WEEDWACKER 316.731970 Operator's Manual page 17

MAINTAINING THE AIR FILTER
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, always stop
the engine and allow it to cool before cleaning or maintaining
the unit.
Failure to maintain the air filter can result in poor performance or can
cause permanent damage to the engine. Engine failure due to
improper air filter maintenance is not covered by the product warranty.
Cleaning the Air Filter
1. Unscrew the cover screw completely. Swing the air filter cover to
the right. Remove the air filter cover from the air filter housing
(Fig. 23).
2. Remove the air filter from the air filter housing (Fig. 23).
3. Wash the air filter in detergent and water. Rinse the air filter
thoroughly and allow it to dry.
4. Lightly coat the air filter with clean SAE 30 oil.
5. Squeeze the air filter to spread and remove excess oil.
6. Reinstall the air filter in the air filter housing (Fig. 23).
NOTE: Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter cover will
VOID the warranty.
7. Insert the tab on the air filter cover into the hole on the air filter
housing. Swing the air filter cover to the left. Push the air filter
cover back onto the air filter housing. Insert the cover screw into
the air filter cover. Tighten the cover screw to secure the air filter
cover (Fig. 23).
ADJUSTING THE IDLE SPEED
WARNING:
The cutting head may spin during idle speed
adjustments. Wear protective clothing and observe all
safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage the unit. A Sears or
other qualified service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.
If, after checking the fuel and cleaning the air filter, the engine still
will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:
1. Start the engine. Refer to Starting and Stopping.
2. Release the throttle control and let the engine idle. If the engine
stops, use a small Phillips screwdriver to turn the idle speed screw
clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles
smoothly (Fig. 24).
3. If the engine is idling too quickly, turn the idle speed screw
counterclockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) to reduce the
idle speed (Fig. 24).
Checking the fuel, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed
should solve most engine problems. If not, and any of the following
conditions are true, take the unit to a Sears or other qualified service
dealer:
• the engine will not idle
• the engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
• there is a loss of engine power
Hole
Air Filter
17
Tab
Air Filter
Housing
Fig. 23
Idle Speed Screw
Fig. 24
Air Filter
Cover
Cover
Screw