Poulan PD18H42STA User Manual - Page 19

MAINTENANCE NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause engine damage due to overheating. ENGINE OIL FILTER Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year. AIR FILTER (See Fig. 16) Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of operation or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. • Remove knob and cover. • Remove wing nut and air cleaner from base. TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER • Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge. • Wash it in liquid detergent and water. • Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth. Allow it to dry. • Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in clean, absorbent cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil. TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE • Replace a dirty, bent, or damaged cartridge. NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge or use pressurized air, as this will damage the cartridge. • Reinstall the pre-cleaner (cleaned and oiled) over the paper cartridge. • Reassemble air cleaner, wing nut, cover and tighten knob securely. AIR CLEANER COVER COVER KNOB WING NUT FOAM PRE-CLEANER RUBBER GROMMET MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage. SPARK PLUGS Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs first. Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual. IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 17) The fuel filter should be replaced once each season. If fuel filter becomes clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carburetor, replacement is required. • With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line sec- tions. • Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carburetor. • Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned. • Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline. CLAMP CLAMP FUEL FILTER FIG. 17 CLEANING • Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. of all foreign matter. • Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc. • Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax. We do not recommend using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean your tractor unless the engine and transmission are covered to keep water out. Water in engine or transmission will shorten the useful life of your tractor. Use compressed air or a leaf blower to remove grass, leaves and trash from tractor and mower. AIR CLEANER PAPER CARTRIDGE AIR SCREEN AIR CLEANER BASE OIL FILL CAP/ DIPSTICK FIG. 16 19