Craftsman 917.270920 Owner's Manual page 21

overheating. Cleanwith a wire brushor
compressedair to removedirt and
stubbomdried gum
fibers.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING
AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the
grass screen, cooling fins, and other
extemal 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
removed will cause engine damage due to
overheating.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run propedy using a
dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner
after every 25 hours of operation 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.
• Remove knob(s) and cover.
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
• 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.
• If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-
cleaner,
• Reinstall pre-cleaner over cartridge.
• Reinstall cover and secure with
knob(s).
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
• Remove wing nuts and cartridge plate.
• Carefully remove cartridge to prevent
debris from entering carburetor.
• Clean cartridge by tapping gently on
flat surface, if very dirty or damaged,
replace cartridge.
• Reinstall cartridge plate, wing nuts,
prscleaner, cover and secure with
knob(s).
IMPORTANT: Petroleum solvents, such
as kerosene, are not to be used to clean
the cartridge. They may cause deteriora-
tion of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge.
Do not use pressurized air to clean or
dry cartridge.
Knob
Wing Cartridge
Plate
Foam Pre-
Air Screen
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"
section of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER
The fuel filter should be replaced once
each season. If fuel filter becomes
clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbure-
tor, replacement is required.
• With engine cool, remove filter and
plug fuel line sections.
• 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.
• Immediately wipe up any spilled
gasoline.
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