Craftsman 917.258920 Owner's Manual page 20

MAINTENANCE
CLEAN AIR INTAKF-JCOOLING 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 tile 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 dirt,,, 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
° Slide foam preocleaner 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.
• 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.
• Check rubber seal for damage and proper position
around stud. Replace if necessary.
° Reassemble air cleaner, cartridge plate, and nut.
• Reinstall air cleaner cover and secure by tightening
knob_
CARTRIDGE
FOAM
PRE-CLEANER
CARTRIDGE
PLATE _
RUBBER
SEAL
i,JllJlllllll r' i ,,, "1'1'1'11'11 "1
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oilfilter every season or every other oil
change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one
year.
MUFFLER
Inspectand replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if
equipped) as itcould 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
occursfirst. 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, if fuel
filter becomes clogged, obstructingfuel flow to carburetor,
replacement is required.
• With engine coot, remove filter and plug fuel line
sections.
° Place new fuel filter in position tn fuel line with arrow
pointingtowards carburetor.
° Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are
propedy positioned.
Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline.
CLAMP
CLAMF
FIG. 18
FUEL RLTER
CLEANING
° Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. of all foreign
matter.
° Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,
oil, etc.
• 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
2O