Exmark Commercial 21 4500-686 Rev. B - Manual (Page 28)

Maintenance
Figure 29
1. Wing nuts 4. Foam element
2. Cover 5. Base
3. Paper element
4. Remove the cover.
Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from
falling into the base.
5. Remove the foam and paper elements from the
base.
6. Remove the foam element from the paper
element.
7. Inspect the foam and paper elements, and replace
them if they are damaged or excessively dirty.
8. Tap the paper element on a hard surface several
times or use compressed air not exceeding 30
psi (207 kPa) through the filter from the wire
screen side to remove any excess dirt. If the paper
element is excessively dirty, replace it.
Note: Never try to brush dirt off the paper
element; brushing forces the dirt into the fibers.
9. Clean the foam element in warm, soapy water or
in a nonflammable solvent.
10. Rinse and dry the foam element thoroughly.
11. Dip the foam element in clean engine oil, then
squeeze out the excess oil.
Note: Excess oil in the foam element restricts
the air flow through the element and may reach
the paper filter and clog it.
12. Wipe dirt from the base and the cover with a
moist rag.
Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from
entering the air duct leading to the carburetor.
13. Install the air cleaner elements and ensure that
they are properly positioned.
14. Securely install the cover with the two wing nuts.
Change Engine Oil
Service Interval: After the first 5 hours
Every 50 hours (May need
more often under severe
conditions.)
1. Run the engine to warm the engine oil.
Note: Warm oil flows better and carries more
contaminates.
WARNING
Oil may be hot after engine has been run.
Contact with hot oil can cause severe personal
injury.
Avoid contacting the hot engine oil when you
drain it.
2. Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to stop.
3. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
4. Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank. Refer to
Emptying the Fuel Tank and Cleaning the
Fuel Filter section.
5. Place a suitable drain pan under the dipstick/oil
drain.
6. Clean around the dipstick.
7. Remove the dipstick by rotating the cap
counterclockwise and pulling it out.
8. Raise the left side of the lawn mower to drain the
oil from the dipstick fill tube into the drain pan.
9. After draining the oil, return the lawn mower to
the operating position.
10. Fill the crankcase with fresh oil to the upper limit
mark on the dipstick. Use oil recommended in
the Check Engine Oil Level section. Do Not
overfill
11. Insert the dipstick into the filler neck and rotate
the cap clockwise until it is tight.
12. Wipe up any spilled oil.
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