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.
NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage the unit. A Sears or
other qualified service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.
If, after checking the fuel and cleaning the air filter, the engine still
will not idle, adjust the idle speed screw as follows:
1. Start the engine. Refer to Starting and Stopping.
2. Release the throttle control and let the engine idle. If the engine
stops, use a small Phillips screwdriver to turn the idle speed screw
clockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles
smoothly (Fig. 20).
3. If the engine is idling too quickly, turn the idle speed screw
counterclockwise, 1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) to reduce the
idle speed (Fig. 20).
Checking the fuel, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed
should solve most engine problems. If not, and any of the following
conditions are true, take the unit to a Sears or other qualified service
dealer:
•
the engine will not idle
•
the engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration
•
there is a loss of engine power
MAINTAINING THE SPARK PLUG
1. Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the spark plug boot
firmly and pull it from the spark plug.
2. Clean around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the
cylinder head with a 5/8-inch socket, turning counterclockwise.
WARNING:
Do not sand blast, scrape or clean spark plug
electrodes. Grit in the engine could damage the cylinder.
3. Inspect the spark plug. If the spark plug is cracked, fouled or
dirty, replace it with a replacement part #753-06193, a
Champion RDJ7J or an equivalent spark plug.
4. Use a feeler gauge to set the air gap at 0.025 in. (0.635 mm)
(Fig. 21).
5. Install the spark plug in the cylinder head. Tighten the spark plug
with a 5/8-inch socket, turning it clockwise until snug.
NOTE: If using a torque wrench, torque to:
110-120 in.•lb. (12.3-13.5 N•m). Do not over tighten.
6. Reattach the spark plug boot.
0.025 in.
(0.635 mm)
15
Idle Speed Screw
Fig. 20
Fig. 21