MAINTAINING THE AIR FILTER
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, always stop
the engine and allow it to cool before cleaning or maintaining
the unit.
Failure to maintain the air filter can result in poor performance or
can cause permanent damage to the engine. Engine failure due to
improper air filter maintenance is not covered by the product warranty.
Cleaning the Air Filter
1. Open the air filter cover by unscrewing the cover screw (Fig. 19).
2. Remove the air filter from the air filter housing (Fig. 19).
3. Wash the air filter in detergent and water. Rinse the air filter
thoroughly and allow it to dry.
4. Lightly coat the air filter with clean SAE 30 oil.
5. Squeeze the air filter to spread and remove excess oil.
6. Reinstall the air filter in the air filter housing (Fig. 20).
NOTE: Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter cover will
VOID the warranty.
7. Insert the hooks on the air filter housing into the slots on the air
filter cover (Fig. 20).
8. Swing the air filter cover to the right and align the cover screw
with the cover screw hole (Fig. 20). Tighten the cover screw to
secure the air filter cover.
NOTE: Do not over tighten as this may strip the screw.
ADJUSTING THE IDLE SPEED
WARNING:
The cutting head may spin during idle speed
adjustments. Wear protective clothing and observe all
safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.
If the engine will not idle properly:
1. Drain the fuel tank and add fresh, properly-mixed fuel. Refer to
Oil and Fuel.
2. Clean the air filter. Refer to Maintaining the Air Filter.
If the engine still will not idle properly, adjust the idle speed:
1. Start the engine. Refer to Starting and Stopping.
2. Release the throttle control and let the engine idle.
• If the engine stops, increase the idle speed. Use a small
Phillips screwdriver to turn the idle speed screw clockwise,
1/8 of a turn at a time, until the engine idles smoothly (Fig. 21).
• If the cutting head spins when the engine idles, reduce the idle
speed. Turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise, 1/8 of a
turn at a time, until the cutting head stops moving (Fig. 21).
If the engine still will not idle properly, and any of the following
conditions are true, take the unit to a Sears or other qualified service
dealer:
•
the engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
•
there is a loss of engine power
Air Filter Cover
Cover Screw
Slots
Air Filter
Cover
Idle Speed Screw
15
Air Filter
Air Filter
Housing
Fig. 19
Cover
Hooks
Screw Hole
Air Filter
Housing
Fig. 20
Fig. 21