Craftsman 358.796131- - Manual (Page 14)

GENERAL MAINTENANCE
A. DRIVE SHAFT LUBRICATION
• Lubricate the Flexible Drive Shaft:
— After each ten (10) hours of operation:
— Before operating if the unit has been stored
for 90 days or longer.
• Use gear grease stock #28-59071.
NOTE: A tube of grease has been supplied with your
unit to be used after the first 10 hours of operation.
• Observe the following procedure for best
results:
I CAUTION: I Avoid bodily contact with the muffler
area when the engine is warm. Always replace
the muffler guard if it becomes damaged or
broken.
1. Loosen the Pinch Clamp Bolt and remove the
Drive Shaft Housing from the Engine Shroud.
2. Remove the Flexible Drive Shaft as shown in
Figure 26.
NOTE: Check the Flexible Drive Shaft for
wear or damage. Replace if broken wires,
twists or kinks are found.
CAUTION: Lay the Flexible Drive Shaft on a
clean surface. Avoid laying the shaft on the
floor, ground or on any surface that may have
dirt or debris. Even after wiping the shaft,
grease residue can pick up dirt particles that
can cause damage or premature failure.
3. Using a clean cloth, thoroughly wipe the sur­
face of the Flexible Drive Shaft to remove any
old grease that may be presentr
4. Apply a uniform coat of gear grease to the entire sur­
face of the Flexible Drive Shaft. Figure 27.
5. Inject the remaining contents of the tube sup­
plied with the unit into the top of the Drive
Shaft Housing.
6. Replace Flexible Drive Shaft in the Drive
Shaft Housing.
7. Follow the instructions on page 6 to replace
Drive Shaft Housing in the Engine Shroud.
Figuré 27
AIR FILTER CARE
A dirty air filter decreases engine performance
and increases fuel consumption.
Clean the Air Filter:
• Frequently,
• Always after 5 tanks of fuel or 5 hours of opera­
tion, whichever is less.
Follow these steps:
1. Remove the airfilter (located atthe bottom, rear of the
Engine Shroud) see page 2.
2. Wash in soap and water.
3.
4.
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1
CAUTIONTI D o riot clean filter in gasoline
or other flammable solvent to avoid creating
a fire hazard.
Squeeze filter dry.
Replace the air filter,
I
CAUTION:~l The air filter must be fitted into
the corners of the housing to avoid engine
damage.
C. FUEL TANK UPKEEP
Never use gasoline that is more than 2 months
old in a fuel mixture. Gasoline begins to break
down after a period of time and will form com­
pounds that cause hard starting and damage in
2-cycle engines.
1. inspect the unit for fuel leaks each time it is
used.
Repair or replace parts as necessary.
2. Using gasoline or fuel mix over 2 months old will
cause the engine to be difficult or impossible to
starti
3. Drain the fuel tank or allow the unit to run out
of fuel before storing for 30 or more days.
NOTE: "First Starting” procedure may be
required fora unit that runs out of fuel or from
which fuel is drained. See "Starting Instruc­
tions", page 8.