Craftsman 247.346250 - Manual (Page 14)

Your four-cycle engine will normally consume some
oil; therefore, check engine oil level regularly—
approximately every five hours of operation and
before each usage. Stop engine and wait several
minutes before checking oil level. With engine level,
the oil must be to the FULL mark on dipstick (refer to
figure 11). Change engine oil after the first five hours
of operation, and every twenty-five hours thereafter.
To Drain Oil:
• Drain oil while engine is warm.
a. Remove oil drain plug. Catch oil in a suitable
container.
b. When engine is drained of all oil, replace drain
plug securely.
• Refill with fresh oil. Refer to GAS AND OIL FILL­
UP section.
• Replace dipstick.
AIR CLEANER
The air cleaner prevents damaging dirt, dust, etc.,
from entering the carburetor and being forced into the
engine and is important to engine life and per­
formance.
Never run your engine without air cleaner com­
pletely assembled.
To Service Air Cleaner:
Service pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of use, or at
least once a season. Service cartridge every 100 hours
of use, or at least once a season. Service pre-cleaner
and cartridge more often under dusty conditions.
• Loosen air cleaner cover screws. Remove cover
and air cleaner assembly from base. See figure 15.
• Remove air cleaner assembly from inside cover
and disassemble.
• To service foam pre-cleaner: Remove pre-cleaner.
Wash in liquid detergent and water. Squeeze dry in
a clean cloth. Saturate in engine oil. Squeeze in a
clean, absorbent cloth to remove all excess oil. If
pre-cleaner is very dirty, replace it.
• To service cartridge; Clean by tapping gently on a
flat surface. If very dirty, replace. Do not oil cartridge,
NOTE: Do not use petroleum solvents (e.g. kerosene)
or pressurized air to clean cartridge. They will cause
cartridge to deteriorate.
• Reassemble retainer on pre-cleaner and cartridge
(screen side of pre-cleaner toward cartridge
pleats). Place assembly into cover.
• Insert tabs on cover into slots in base and tighten
cover screws securely.
CLEAN ENGINE
Clean engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris
with a cloth or brush. Cleaning with a forceful spray of
water is not recommended as water could contami­
nate the fuel system.
Yearly or every 25 hours, whichever occurs first,
remove the blower housing and clean the areas
shown in figure 16 to avoid overspeeding, overheating
and engine damage. Clean more often if necessary.
WARNING: PERIODICALLY CLEAN MUF­
FLER AREA TO REMOVE ALL GRASS.
DIRT AND COMBUSTIBLE DEBRIS.
Ì Clean Out
Chaff and
Dirt
FIGURE 16,
SPARK PLUG
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset
to .030" at least once a season or every 50 hours of
operation. See figure 17. Spark plug replacement is
recommended at the start of each season. Refer to
engine parts list for correct spark plug type.
NOTE: Do not sandblast spark plug. Spark plug
should be cleaned by scraping or wire brushing and
washing with a commercial solvent.
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