Mantis 7990 Operator's & Parts Manual page 17

AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
A wet or dirty air filter can affect the way your engine starts,
performs, and wears. So, it's a good idea to check your air filter
once a month.
If you work in dusty soil, or if you want to be on the safe side –
check your filter more often (for instance, before each use). But
be sure to replace it at least once a year, in the spring or fall.
How to Check, Clean and Change the Air Filter
1. The air filter is held in the air cleaner in a black housing on
the side of the tiller, behind the gas tank cap.
2. Squeeze the two locking tabs at the rear of the air cleaner
cover (Figure 1) and swing the cover towards the front of the
engine to open it
3. The air filter is the dark sponge like material on the inside of
the air cleaner. Check whether it is soiled or moist.
4. If the air filter needs to be cleaned or no longer fits properly,
simply remove it by carefully peeling it out of the air cleaner.
(Figure 2)
5. To clean the air filter
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please check the lip on the Air
Cleaner Cover. If the lip is chipped
or cracked, it should be replaced.
This will prevent dirt from being
ingested through the carburetor
into the inside of the engine.
HOW TO RESEAT THE FLANGE
At some point, you may find that the tines won't turn when you
press the throttle. This may mean the engine isn't sitting all the
way down on the worm gear housing.
Perhaps you've been using your Tiller for several years. Or
perhaps you've removed the engine for use with our hedge
trimmer attachment, then replaced it. In either case, the flange
bolt may have come loose and lifted the
engine up.
If this happened you'll notice a gap between the bottom of
the engine clutch case and the top of the worm gear housing.
(Figure 1)
To fix this, loosen the flange bolt. Take the engine off the worm
gear housing. Notice the hex head on top of the drive shaft .
Inside the clutch case, you'll find the clutch drum. Make sure
the hex head lines up with the clutch drum inside the clutch
case.
Then put the engine back on the worm gear housing. Make
sure the plastic carrying handle is not under the fuel tank.
Mantis
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Operating the engine without an
air filter element, or with a dam-
aged air filter element, will allow
dirt to enter the engine, causing
rapid engine wear. This type of
damage is not covered by the
Limited Warranty
Contact us at www.mantis.com
XP Tiller Maintenance
®
a. Clean the filter element in warm soapy water, rinse and
allow to dry thoroughly. Or, clean in a non-flammable
solvent and allow to dry.
b. Dip the filter element in clean engine oil, then squeeze
out all excess oil. The engine will smoke when started if
too much oil is left in the element.
c. Wipe dirt from the air cleaner body and cover, using a
moist rag. Be careful to prevent dirt from entering the
carburetor.
6. Insert your clean filter inside the air cleaner.
Figure 1
IMPORTANT NOTE:
A dirty air cleaner will restrict air
flow to the carburetor, reducing
engine performance. If you oper-
ate the engine in very dusty areas,
clean the air filter element more
often then specified in the
Maintenance section.
Figure 1
Note how the engine
doesn't sit all the way
down on the transmission.
If you've followed these steps properly, there will be no gap
between the clutch case and the worm gear housing. (Figure
2) Make sure you tighten the flange bolt!
All other engine maintenance issues can be found in the
Honda ® Engine Manual included in your tiller package.
(Continued)
Figure 2
IMPORTANT:
Make sure the filter is "seated"
properly in the cover. The filter
must fit snugly inside the open-
ing that holds the filter in place.
Installing the filter incorrectly will
cause engine damage and void
the warranty. Fit the cover back
over the air cleaner and snap the
two locking tabs
Figure 2
Note how the engine sits
all the way down on the
transmission.
17