Generac 04389-0 - Manual (Page 21)

Generac ® Power Systems, Inc. 19
• Remove watches, rings or other metal objects;
• Use tools with insulated handles;
• Wear rubber gloves and boots;
• Do not lay tools or metal parts on top of the
battery; and
• Disconnect charging source prior to connecting or dis-
connecting battery terminals.
Do not open or mutilate the battery. Released
electrolyte has been known to be harmful to the
skin and eyes, and to be toxic.
The electrolyte is a dilute sulfuric acid that is
harmful to the skin and eyes. It is electrically con-
ductive and corrosive. The following
procedures are to be observed:
• Wear full eye protection and protective clothing;
• Where electrolyte contacts the skin, wash it off
immediately with water;
• Where electrolyte contacts the eyes, flush
thoroughly and immediately with water and seek
medical attention; and
• Spilled electrolyte is to be washed down with an acid
neutralizing agent. A common practice is to use a
solution of 1 pound (500 grams) bicarbonate of soda
to 1 gallon (4 liters) or water. The bicarbonate of
soda solution is to be added until the evidence of
reaction (foaming) has ceased. The resulting liquid is
to be flushed with water and the area dried.
Lead-acid batteries present a risk of fire because
they generate hydrogen gas. The
following procedures are to be followed:
• DO NOT SMOKE when near the battery;
• DO NOT cause flame or spark in battery area; and
• Discharge static electricity from your body before
touching the battery by first touching a grounded
metal surface.
Be sure the Auto/Off/Manual switch is set to the
OFF position before connecting the battery cables.
If the switch is set to AUTO or MANUAL, the gen-
erator can crank and start as soon as the battery
cables are connected.
Be sure the utility power supply is turned off, or
sparking may occur at the battery posts as you
attach the cables and cause an explosion.
4.8 ADJUSTING VALVE CLEARANCE
After the first 50 hours of operation, you should
adjust the valve clearance in the engine.
Important: If you feel uncomfortable about doing this
procedure or you don't have the proper tools, please
contact your Generac Authorized dealer for service
assistance. This is a very important step to insure
longest life for your engine.
To adjust valve clearance:
• Make sure the engine is at room temperature.
• Make sure that the spark plug wire is removed from
the spark plug and out of the way.
• Remove the four screws attaching the valve cover with
a #2 or #3 phillips screwdriver.
• Make sure the piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC) of
its compression stroke (both valves closed). To get the
piston at TDC, remove the intake screen at the front of
the engine to gain access to the flywheel nut. Use a large
socket and socket wrench to rotate the nut and hence
the engine. While watching the piston through the
spark plug hole. The piston should move up and down.
The piston is at TDC when it is up as high as it can go.
• Loosen the rocker jam nut. Use an 10mm allen
wrench to turn the pivot ball stud while checking clear-
ance between the rocker arm and the valve stem with a
feeler gauge. Correct clearance is 0.002-0.004 inch
(0.05-0.1 mm).
NOTE:
You must hold the rocker arm jam nut in place as
you turn the pivot ball stud.
When valve clearance is correct, hold the pivot ball stud
in place with the allen wrench and tighten the rocker
arm jam nut. Tighten the jam nut to 174 in/lbs. torque.
After tightening the jam nut, recheck valve clearance to
make sure it did not change.
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Section 4 — Maintenance
Guardian Air-cooled 7 kW, 12 kW and 15 kW Generators