Sears Craftsman 917.251570 Owner's Manual page 20

CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen,
cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are
kept clean at all times..
Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely
dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and
other' cooling shrouds, Clean the cooling fins and external
surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds are
reinstalled
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen,
dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds re-
moved will cause engine damage due to overheating_
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 17)
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter.
Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of opera-
tion or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100
hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions_
= Loosen knob and remove cover.
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
o Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge_
* Wash it in liquid detergent and water
= Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.
° Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in clean, absorbent
cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
° Remove nut and cartridge plate.
o Gently tap the flat side of the paper cartridge to dis-
lodge dirt° Do not wash the paper cartridge or use
pressurized air, as this will damage the cartridge°
Replace a dirty, bent, or' damaged cartridge..
° Reinstall the pre-cleaner (cleaned and oiled) over the
paper cartridge.
o Check rubber seal for damage and proper position
around stud, Replace if necessary,
o Reassemble air cleaner, cartridge plate, and nut.
° Reinstall air cleaner cover and secure by tightening
knob..
CARTRIDGE
FOAM
PRE-CLEANER
CARTRIDGE
PLATE
RUBBER
SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil
change if the tractor is used more than !00 hours in one
year.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if
equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage=
SPARK PLUGS
Replace spark plugs 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
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 18)
The fuel filter should be replaced once each season, ff rue!
filter becomes clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carburetor,
replacement is required..
• With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line
sections.
o Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow
pointing towards carburetor'.
° Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are
properly positioned..
o Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline°
FIG. 18
CLEANING
• Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc.. of all foreign
matter'.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,
oil, etc..
o Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax°
We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean your
tractor unless the electrical system, muffler, air filter and
carburetor are covered to keep water out.. Water in engine
can result in a shortened engine life.
FIG. 17
20