Craftsman 917.378494 Owner's Manual page 12

ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classification SF-SJ. Select the
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20 0 30 32 40
-30 -20 -10 0 t0 20 30 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OiL
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°E Check your engine oil
level more frequently to avoid possible
engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of op-
eration orat least once a year if the mower
is not used for 25 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before
starting the engine and after each five (5)
hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug
securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain
oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until
fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to re-
move any oil trapped inside of engine.
6. Stop adding oil when you roach the
FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a
minute to allow oil to settle.
7. Continue adding small amounts of oil,
rechecking the dipstick until oil level
settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or
engine will smoke heavily from the
muffler on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wira to spark plug.
AIR FILTER
Yourengine will not run properly and
may be damaged by using a dirty air
filter. Replace the air filter cartridgeevery
100 hoursof operation or every season,
whicheveroccursfirst. Service air cleaner
more often under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
1. Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a fiat sur-
_k face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such
as kerosene, are not to be used to clean
cartridge. They may cause deterioration
of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do
not use pressurized air to clean or dry
cartridge.
4. Install cartridge, then replace cover
making sure the tabs are aligned with
the slots in the back plate. Fasten
screw securely.
Back
Slots
Cover
Cartridge Cover tabs
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or damage.
Container
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout,
stopping every few ounces to check the
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs
first. Spark plug type and gap setting
are shown in the =PRODUCT SPECIFIC-
ATIONS" section of this manual.
oil level with the dipstick.
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