Troy-Bilt 31/2 HP - Manual (Page 20)

SECTIONS: MAINTENANCE
Engine Maintenance
Checking the Engine Oil Level and Adding Oil
to the Engine
Before starting the mower’s engine, check its oil
level. If you run the engine while it’s low on oil, you
risk causing damage to the engine. While mowing,
frequently stop the engine and check its oil level (at
least every 5 hours of operation).
If you’re mowing slopes, the oil can slant away from
internal engine parts, so it is extremely important to
keep the oil level correct. While mowing slopes, check
the engine oil level every 30 minutes of operation and
keep the oil level up to the FULL mark on the dipstick.
(Be sure to move the mower to a flat area before
checking the engine oil level.)
To check the engine oil level;
A
CAUTION
Before checking the engine oil level, shut the
mower’s engine off, allow the engine to cool, dis­
connect the spark plug wire and prevent it from
touching the spark plug. For electric start mod­
els, also remove the Engine Ignition key from the
keyswitch.
Failure to do this could result in personal injury
or property damage.
1. Move the mower to a level area.
2. Shut the engine off.
3. Clean any debris away from the area around the oil
dipstick so that no debris can fall into the engine when
the dipstick is removed.
4.
Unscrew the dipstick and use a clean, lint-free rag
to wipe the dipstick clean.
5. Firmly screw the dipstick all the way back into the
oil filler tube.
6 . Unscrew the dipstick and check the engine oil level.
The level should be between the ADD and the FULL
marks on the dipstick.
7. If you have to add oil to the engine, please use the
following instructions:
a. Insert a clean funnel into the oil filler tube.
b. Select a clean, high-quality detergent oil using
the viscosity and temperature recommendations
given in “Specifications” on the inside rear cover of
this Manual.
c. Slowly pour the oil into the funnel, pausing fre­
quently to check the engine oil level with the dipstick
(see the previous instructions).
NOTE
DO NOT overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling
the engine with oil could make the engine smoke
excessively or appear to be seized.
d. When the engine oil level is correct, securely
reinstall the dipstick.
Photo 5-2: Adding oil to the engine.
18
Figure 5-1: Checking the engine oil level.