Engine Maintenance; Servicing The Engine Oil; Oil Drain; To Replace The Oil Filter - Craftsman rer 1000 User Manual

Engine Maintenance

WARNING
Shut off the engine before performing any maintenance. To prevent
accidental start-up, disconnect the spark plug boot.
IMPORTANT: If engine must be tipped to transport equipment or to inspect or
remove grass, keep spark plug side of engine up. Transporting or tipping engine
spark plug down may cause smoking, hard starting, spark plug fouling, or oil
saturation of air cleaner.
Periodic inspection and adjustment of the engine is essential if high level
performance is to be maintained. Regular maintenance will also ensure a long
service life. The required service intervals and the kind of maintenance to be
performed are described in the table on the previous page. Follow the hourly or
calendar intervals, whichever occur first. More frequent service is required when
operating in adverse conditions.
WARNING
If the engine has been running, the muffler will be very hot. Be careful not
to touch the muffler.

Servicing the Engine Oil

• Check the oil level regularly.
• Be sure correct oil level is maintained. Check the oil every five to ten hours of
operation, before starting the engine. See Checking Oil Level in the Assembly
section.
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG,
SH, or SJ. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to the expected operating
temperature. Refer to Gas & Oil in the Assembly section of this manual.

Oil Drain

IMPORTANT: Be sure to check engine on a level surface with the engine stopped.
Drain the oil while the engine is still warm to assure rapid and complete draining.
For draining oil from the engine's crankcase of select model tractors, a plastic oil
drain sleeve is packed with this Operator's Manual. To drain the oil, proceed as
follows:
1. Unscrew the oil fill cap and remove the dipstick from the oil fill tube.
2. Snap the small end of oil drain sleeve onto the oil sump. See Figure 22.
3. Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable container with a capacity of
no less than 64 oz.
4. Tip the tractor slightly in the direction of the suitable container to aid in fully
draining all of the oil from the engine.
WARNING
Before tipping engine or equipment to drain oil, drain fuel from tank by
running engine until fuel tank is empty.
5. Service the Oil Filter if desired, as per the instructions later in this section.
6. Reinstall the drain plug and tighten it securely, 12-14 Nm (106.2-123.9 in-lb).
7. Remove the oil drain sleeve from the oil sump. Return the dipstick to the oil fill
tube and screw the oil fill cap back into place.
8. Pour oil into the dipstick tube. Do not over fill. With an oil filter change the high
level amount of oil for this engine is 1700 ml (57.48 fl-oz.).
9. Install dipstick and turn to locked position before starting engine.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
10. Start the engine. Allow it to run for a few seconds and then shut down the
engine.
11. Check the oil level.
IMPORTANT: Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact with
the skin for prolonged periods. Although this is unlikely unless you handle used oil
on a daily basis, it is still advisable to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and
water as soon as possible after handling used oil.
NOTE: Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible with the
environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container to your local service
station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the trash, pour it down a drain or on the
ground.
Replacing The Oil Filter
This engine is equipped with a spin-on oil filter that should be replaced each time
an oil change is performed, every season or 50 hours. Refer to Figure 23.

To replace the Oil Filter:

1. Drain the oil as instruction previously in this section.
2. Remove the oil filter. Dispose of the old oil filter properly.
3. Lube gasket of new oil filter with clean oil.
4. Install and turn oil filter by hand until the gasket comes in contact with the
sealing surface of the crankcase cover, then tighten the oil filter, 10-12 Nm
(88.5-106.2 in-lb), 1/2-3/4 turn.
5. Add oil as previously instructed.
6. Make sure dipstick is installed.
7. Start and run engine. Check for leaks.
8. Stop engine. Wait a few minutes and check the oil level. See Checking The
Oil Level in the Assembly section of this manual.
22
Figure 22