Cub Cadet MTD P71 Series - Manual (Page 18)

P71 Series Vertical Shaft Engines
12
Fuel system
What you should know about fuel.
Most of the fuel presently available in North America is oxygenated to some extent. This is commonly done
through the addition of ethanol. Most engines offered for sale on outdoor power equipment in the North American
markets are designed to tolerate no more than 10% ethanol by volume
Ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water. If left exposed to air, it will draw water out of the air.
Ethanol is an oxygenator, which means that it will oxidize (corrode) metal that it comes into contact with. Expo-
sure to air causes fuel to go bad quickly, leaving gum and varnish deposits.
Fuel used in Cub Cadet outdoor power equipment should be no more than 30 days old. Because it may already
have been stored at the refinery or gas station for a week or more, fuel should be purchased in small quantities and
stored in safety approved gas cans with the caps closed.
For storage, all fuel should be run out of the tank and engine. Anti-oxidation additives will help keep the fuel
fresher.
Servicing the fuel system
Inspect the fuel system every time the engine is operated. If dirty fuel is found in the fuel tank or fuel that does not
smell “right”, drain the fuel tank and replace the fuel filter. Dispose of bad fuel in a safe and legal manner.
Refer to the units service manual for the procedures to drain the fuel tank.
Fuel filter
A dirty fuel filter can result in a lean run condition. The fuel filter should be replaced every 100 hours.
To replace the fuel filter:
NOTE: The fuel filter is located inside the fuel tank
nipple. See Figure 1.10.
1. Siphon the fuel out of the fuel tank and dispose of
the fuel in a safe and legal manner
2. Squeeze the tabs on the fuel line clamps and slide
them away from the filter.
3. Carefully slide the fuel line off of the fuel tank nipple.
If there are pieces of rubber on the barb of the fuel
tank nipple, replace the affected fuel line.
IMPORTANT: All MTD engines use low permeation
fuel line to meet EPA guidelines. When replac-
ing the fuel lines, they must be replaced with
the same type of low permeation fuel line.
4. Pull the fuel filter out of the fuel tank nipple and dis-
card.
5. Install the new filter by following the above steps in reverse order.
6. Test run the engine and check for leaks before returning to service.
! CAUTION ! CAUTION
Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable. Use common sense when working around
the fuel system. Avoid sparks, open flames or heat sources that can ignite the fuel vapors.
Figure 1.10
Fuel filter