Troubleshooting - Craftsman 917.378500 Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT: When folding the handle for
storage or transportation, be sure to fold
the handle as shown or you may damage
the control cables.
When setting up your handle from the
storage position, the lower handle will au-
tomatically lock into the mowing
SQUEEZE
TO FOLD
.i
Lower handle "-''_'_-
)osition.
Operator presence
controU bar
Upl
Lower
Mowing
position
FUEL SYSTEM
mMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum
deposits from forming in essential fuel sys-
tem parts such as carburetor, fuel filter, fuel
hose, or tank during storage. Also, alcohol
blended fuels (called gasohol or using etha-
nol 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.
Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty.
Never use engine or carburetor cleaner
products in the fuel tank or permanent
damage may occur.
Use fresh fuel next season.
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable al-
ternative in minimizing the formation of fuel
gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer
to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container.
AJways followthe mix ratio found on stabilizer
container. Run engine at least 10 minutes
after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer
to reach the carburetor. Do not empty the gas
tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.
ENGmNE OraL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace
with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in
the Maintenance section of this manual).
CYUNDER
1. Remove spark plug.
2. Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through
spark plug hole into cylinder.
3. Pull starter handle slowly a few times
to distribute oil.
4. Replace with new spark plug.
OTHER
,, Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
,, Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems.
,, If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to protect it from dust and dirt.
,, Cover your unit with a suitable protective
cover that does not retain moisture. Do
not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe,
which allows condensation to form and
will cause your unit to rust.
mMPORTANT: Never cover mower while
engine and exhaust areas are still warm.
_lb CAUTmON: Never store mower with gaso-
line in the tank inside a building where fumes
may reach an open flame or spark.AIIowthe
engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
TROUBLESHOOTING ° See appropriate section in manuam unmess directed
to a Sears Service Center.
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTmON
1. Dirty air filter.
2. Out of fuel.
3. Stale fuel.
4. Water in fuel.
Does not start
1. Clean/replace air filter.
2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Empty fuel tank and refill tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
4. Empty fuel tank and refill tank
with fresh, clean gasoline.
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