HONDA HRC216PDA - Manual (Page 12)

12
Air Cleaner Service
A dirty air filter restricts air flow to the carburetor, reducing engine
performance. If you operate the mower in very dusty areas, clean the
air filter more often than specified in the MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
(page 9).
NOTICE
Operating the engine without an air filter or with a damaged filter
allows dirt to enter the engine, causing rapid engine wear. This type of
damage is not covered by the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED
WARRANTY (page 20).
1. Press the latch tabs on the top of the air cleaner cover, and then
remove the cover.
2. Remove the foam element from the air cleaner cover.
3. Remove the screen grid and paper element.
4. Check both elements to be sure they are in good condition, and
replace them if they are damaged.
5. Clean the paper element by tapping it several times on a hard
surface to remove dirt, or blow compressed air (not exceeding
30 psi [207 kPa]) through the filter from the clean side that faces
the engine. Never try to brush off dirt; brushing will force dirt into
the fibers.
6. Wash the foam element in a solution of detergent and warm water
and then rinse thoroughly, or wash in nonflammable or high flash
point solvent. Allow the foam element to dry thoroughly.
7. Soak the foam element in clean engine oil and squeeze out the
excess oil.
NOTICE
Be careful not to get oil on the paper element. The engine will
smoke during initial start-up if too much oil is left in the foam, or the
oil could saturate the paper element, making the engine
inoperable.
8. Use a moist rag to wipe dirt from the inside of the air cleaner
housing and cover. Be careful to prevent dirt from entering the air
duct that leads to the carburetor.
9. Reinstall the screen grid over the paper element. Make sure that
the screen grid completely surrounds the paper pleats.
10.Set the paper element and screen grid in the air cleaner body.
11.Reinstall the foam element in the air cleaner cover.
12.Reinstall the air cleaner cover by locking the lower tabs in the
bottom of the air cleaner body and snapping the latch tabs in the
top of the air cleaner body.
Spark Plug Service
Recommended spark plug: NGK - BPR5ES
NOTICE
Incorrect spark plugs can cause engine damage.
For good performance, the spark plug must be properly gapped and
free of deposits.
1. Disconnect the spark plug
cap and remove any dirt
from around the spark plug
area.
2. Remove the spark plug
with a 13/16 in (21 mm)
spark plug wrench.
3. Inspect the spark plug.
Replace it if the electrodes
are worn, or if the insulator
is cracked, chipped, or
fouled.
4. Measure the spark plug
electrode gap with a suitable
gauge. The gap should be
0.028 ~ 0.031 in (0.7 ~ 0.8 mm).
Correct the gap, if necessary,
by carefully bending the side
electrode.
5. Install the spark plug carefully,
by hand, to avoid
cross-threading.
6. After the spark plug seats,
tighten with a 13/16 in (21 mm)
spark plug wrench to compress the washer.
If reinstalling the old spark plug, tighten 1/8 to 1/4 turn after the
spark plug seats.
If installing a new spark plug, tighten 1/2 turn after the spark plug
seats to compress the sealing washer.
NOTICE
A loose spark plug can overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening the spark plug can damage the threads in the
cylinder head.
7. Install the spark plug cap on the spark plug.
AIR DUCT
FOAM ELEMENT
PAPER ELEMENT
SCREEN
GRID
LATCH TABS
LOWER
TABS
AIR CLEANER
COVER
AIR CLEANER BODY
SPARK PLUG
SPARK PLUG CAP
SPARK PLUG
WRENCH
0.028 ~ 0.031 in
(0.7 ~ 0.8 mm)
SEALING
WASHER