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. Remove the air filter cover: press in the lock tab and swing the
air filter cover up (Fig. 19).
2. Remove the air filter (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 (Fig. 19).
NOTE: Operating the unit without the air filter and air filter cover will
VOID the warranty.
7. Reinstall the air filter cover: place the slots on the air filter cover
onto the tabs on the backplate. Swing the air filter cover down
and press it closed until the lock tab snaps into place (Fig. 19).
ADJUSTING THE IDLE SPEED
WARNING:
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. Move the cruise control to the SLOW position 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
Air Filter Cover
Slots
Tabs
Backplate
Lock Tab
16
Air Filter
Fig. 19
Idle Speed Screw
Fig. 20