Before Starting Engine - Craftsman 917.292491 Owner's Manual

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
IMPORTANT: Be very careful not to allow
dirt to enter the engine when checking or
adding oil or fuel. Use clean oil and fuel
and store in approved, clean, covered
containers, use clean fill funnels.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL
1. Remove hangtag from engine.
2. With engine level, remove engine oil
filler plug.
3. Fill engine with oil to point of overflow-
ing. For approximate capacity see
=PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on
page 4 of this manual. All oil must
meet A.P.I. Service Classification SF-
SJ.
4. Tilt tiller back on its wheels and then
re-level.
5. With engine level, refill to point of
overflowing if necessary. Replace oil
filler plug.
• For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See "OIL
VISCOSITY CHART" in the Mainte-
nance section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte-
nance section of this manual.
Oil
Oil Filler
Plug
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline. (Use of leaded
gasoline will increase carbon and lead
oxide deposits and reduce valve life.)
IMPORTANT: When operating in tem-
peratures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh,
clean, winter grade gasoline to help
insure good cold weather starting.
_!_WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohoI 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. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be
emptied before storage of 30 days or
longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage section of this
manual for additional information. Never
use engine or carburetor cleaner prod-
ucts in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
_,CAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion. If gasoline is acciden-
tally spilled, move machine away from
area of spill. Avoid creating any source of
ignition until gasoline vapors have
disappeared.
Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an o0en flame.
TO START ENGINE
ACAUTION: Keep drive control bar in
=DISENGAGED" position when starting
engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine has run out of fuel, it will take
extra pulls of the recoil starter to move
fuel from the tank to the engine.
1. Make sure spark plug wire is properly
connected.
2. Place throttle control in "FAST"
position.
3. Move choke control to choke position.
4. Grasp recoil starter handle with one
hand and grasp tiller handle with
other hand. Pull rope out slowly until
engine reaches start of compression
cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at
this point).
5. Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do
not let starter handle snap back
against starter.
NOTE: If engine fires but does not start,
move choke control to half choke position.
Pull recoil starter handle until engine
starts.
6. When engine starts, slowly move
choke control to "RUN" position as
engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less
choking to start.
7. Move throttle control to desired
running position.
8. Allow engine to warm up for a few
minutes before engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or
in cold temperatures (below 32°F), the
carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance.
See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see
troubleshooting points.
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