Craftsman 917.296040 - Manual (Page 11)

For cold weather operation you should
change oil for easier starting (See oil
viscosity chart in the Maintenance sec­
tion of this manual).
To change engine oil, see the Mainte­
nance section in this manual.
Oil Fill
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do
not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carbon and lead oxide depos-
ifs and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil
with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan­
tities that can be used within 30 days to
assure fuel freshness.
ACAUTION: Fill to within 1/2 inch of top
of fuel tank to prevent spills and to allow
for fuel expansion. If gasoline is acci­
dentally spilled, move machine away from
area of spill. Avoid creating any source of
ignition until gasoline vapors have disap­
peared.
Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not
store, spill or use gasoline near an open
flame.
IMPORTANT: When operating in temper­
atures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean
winter grade gasoline to help insure good
cold weather starting.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moisture which leads to separa­
tion and formation of acids during storage.
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system
of an engine while in storage. To avoid
engine problems, the fuel sysfem should
be emptied before storage of 30 days
or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage Instructions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
TO START ENGINE
A
c AUTION: Keep tine control in “OFF”
position when starting engine.
When starting engine for the first time or if
engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra
pulls of the recoil starter to move fuel from
the tank to the engine.
1. Make sure spark plug wire is properly
connected.
2. Move shift lever indicator to “N” (neu­
tral) position.
3. Place throttle control in “FAST” posi­
tion.
4. Turn fuel shut-off valve 1/4 turn to open
position.
5. Push stop switch to “ON” position.
6. Move choke control to “CHOKE” posi­
tion.
7. Grasp recoil starter handle with one
hand and grasp tiller handle with other
hand. Pull rope out slowly until engine
reaches start of compression cycle
(rope will pull slightly harder at this
point).
8. Pull recoil starter handle quickly. Do
not let starter handle snap back
against starter.
NOTE: If engine fires but does not start,
move choke control to half choke posi­
tion. Pull recoil starter handle until engine
starts.
9. When engine starts, slowly move
choke control to “RUN” position as
engine warms up.
NOTE: A warm engine requires less
choking to start.
10. Move throttle control to desired running
position.
11 .Allow engine to warm up for a few
minutes before engaging tines.
NOTE: If at a high altitude (3000 feet) or
in cold temperatures (below 32°F), the
carburetor fuel mixture may need to be
adjusted for best engine performance.
See “TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the
Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
NOTE: If engine does not start, see trou­
bleshooting points.
Rewind starter
11