General Recommendations; Engine Maintenance - Craftsman 247.38814 Operator's Manual

Alwaysstop engine,disconnectspark plugwire, and groundagainst
enginebeforeperforming any type of maintenance on yourmachine.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperformingany maintenance.
• Thewarrantyon this lawnmowerdoesnot coveritemsthat have
been subjectedto operatorabuseor negligence. T o receivefull
valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthe equipment a s
instructedhere.
• Changingof engine-governed speedwill voidenginewarranty.
• All adjustmentsshouldbe checkedat leastonceeach season.
• Periodically checkall fastenersand make suretheseare tight.
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
Spark Plug
Forgood performance, t he spark plug mustbe properlygappedand
freeof deposits.Replacethe spark plug annually.
1. Disconnectthe cap fromthe spark plug,and removeanydirt from
the sparkplug area.
2. Use the propersize sparkplug wrenchto removethe spark plug.
f
Electrode
Figure11
NOTE: Replacewith a ChampionRJ19LMspark plug.
3. Checkthegap with a wire gauge.See Figure11.Sparkplug gap
shouldbe 0.030in (0.76ram). If necessary,resetthe gap.
4. install and tightenthe sparkplug to the recommended torque(180
Ib-in[20 Nm]).
5. Attachthe sparkplug capto thespark plug.
Air Cleaner
A dirty air cleanerwill restrictair flow to the carburetorand causepoor
engineperformance, i nspectthe filter eachtime theengine is oper-
ated.You will needto cleanthe filter morefrequentlyif youoperatethe
enginein verydusty areas.
Cleantheair cleanerevery 25 hoursof operationor once a season.
Replacetheair cleanerannually.
Neverstartor run the enginewith the air cleanerassemblyor theair
filter removed.
NOTE:Do notuse pressurizedair or solventsto cleanthe filter.Pres-
surizedair can damagethefilter and solventswill dissolvethefilter.
1. Removethescrew(A) from the top of the air filter assembly(B).
See Figure12.
2. Topreventdebrisfrom fallingintothe carburetor,carefullyremove
the air filter assembly.
3. Removethefoam element(C)from the air filter base.
Figure12
4. Washthe foam elementin liquid detergentand water.Squeeze
dry the foam elementin a cleancloth.
5. Saturate the foam elementwith clean engineoil.To removethe
excessengineoil, squeezethe foam elementin a cleancloth.
6. installthe foamelementinto theair filter base.
7. installthe air filter assemblyonto thecarburetorand securewith
screw.
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