MTD 21A-144R799 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

4 Cycle

CULTIVATOR / EDGER

Model No. 316.29270

CAUTION: Before using this product, read this

manual and follow all Safety Rules and

Operating Instructions.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our Sears website: www.sears.com/craftsman

Printed in U.S.A. FORM NO. 769-00027

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Parts

• Espahol

2/02

Content Page

Warranty 2 Safety 3

Assembly 5 Operation 6

Maintenance 9

Service and Storage 12

Troubleshooting 13

Parts List 14

Limited Warranty on Craftsman Cultivator / Edger

For two (2) years from the date of purchase, if this Craftsman Equipment is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the instructions to the operator's manual, Sears will repair or replace free of charge any parts found to be defective in material or workmanship, Warranty service is available free of charge by returning Craftsman

equipment to your nearest Sears Service Center, In-home warranty service is available but a trip charge will apply. This Warranty applies only while this product is in the United States,

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as spark plugs, air cleaners, belts, and oil

filters.

• Tire replacement or repair caused by punctures from outside objects, such as nails, thorns, stumps, or glass.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse, including but not limited to, damage caused by objects, such as stones or metal debris, oversized stock, impacting objects that bend the frame or crankshaft, or over-

speeding the engine,

• Repairs necessary because of operator negligence, including but not limited to, electrical and mechanical damage caused by improper storage, failure to use the proper grade and amount of engine oil, or failure to

maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the operator's manual,

• Engine (fuel system) cleaning or repairs caused by fuel determine to becontaminated oroxidized (stale), In general, fuel should be used within 30 days of its purchase date,

• Equipment used for commercial or rental purposes.

TO LOCATE THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER OR TO SCHEDULE SERVICE, SIMPLY CONTACT SEARS AT 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

Engine Engine Oil Type Engine Oil Capacity Fuel Capacity:

Spark Plug Spark Plug Gap

4 Cycle

SAE 30

3.4 Fluid Ounces Approximately 1 Quart

Champion RJ-19LM .025" (0.655 mm)

Model Number ........316.29270. .............................

Serial Number...........................................................

Date of Purchase ......................................................

Record both serial number and date of purchase and keep in a safe place for future reference.

WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could

endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others, Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine, Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol - heed its warning.

WARNING: The Engine Exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this

manual, As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can

result in serious injury, This machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects, Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death,

Training

1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before

attempting to assemble and operate, Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular

reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2, Be familiar with all controls and their proper

operation, Know how to stop the machine and disengage them quickly.

3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this machine, Children 14years old and over should read and understand the operation

instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent,

4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper instruction,

5, Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at

least 50 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the

area.

PREPARATION

1, Thoroughly inspect the area where the

equipment is to be used, Remove all stones, sticks, wire, and other foreign objects which could be tripped over and cause personal injury,

2. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- fitting slacks and shirts, Loose fitting clothes or

jewelry can be caught in movable parts, Never

operate this machine in bare feet or sandals.

3, Wear safety glasses or goggles that are marked

as meeting ANSI Z87,1 standards and ear/ hearing protection when operating this unit. Wear

a face or dust mask if the operation is dusty,

4. This unit has a clutch. The tines remain stationary when the engine is idling. If they do not, have the

unit adjusted by an authorized service dealer.

5. Squeeze the throttle control and check that it

returns automatically to the idle position.

6, Never leave this machine unattended with the

engine running,

7. Never attempt to make any adjustments while

engine is running, except where specifically recommended in the operator's manual.

To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline, Gasoline is

extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite, Wash your skin and

change clothes immediately,

a. Use only an approved gasoline container, b. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and

other sources of ignition.

c, Never fuel machine indoors. d, Never remove gas cap or add while the

engine is hot or running.

e. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes

before refueling,

f, Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more

than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to

provide space for fuel expansion.

g. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely, h, If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine

and equipment, Move machine to another area, Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine,

i, Never store the machine or fuel container

inside where there is an open flame, spark,

or pilot light (e.g. furnace, water heater,

space heater, clothes dryer, etc,)

j, Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes

before storing,

OPERATION

1, Do not put hands and feet near rotating parts,

Contact with the rotating parts can amputate fingers, hands, and feet,

2, Do not operate machine while under the influence

of alcohol or drugs.

3. Never operate this machine without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a

firm hold on the handles.

4, Keep bystanders, helpers, pets, and children at

least 50 feet from the machine while it is in

operation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea,

5, Becarefulwhencultivatinginhardground.The

tinesmaycatchinthegroundandpropelthe cultivatorforward,Ifthisoccurs,letgoofthehandle

anddonotrestrainthemachine,

6, Neveroperatethemachineathightransport

speedsonhardorslipperysurfaces,

7. Exercisecautiontoavoidslippingorfalling, 8, Lookdown,behind,andusecarewhenpulling

machinetowardsyou.

9, Starttheengineaccordingtotheinstructionsfound

inthismanualandkeepfeetwellawayfromthe

tinesatalltimes.

10.Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine, disconnectthesparkplugwireandgroundagainst

theengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemachineforany damage,Repairthedamagebeforestartingand

operating,

11.Disengageallclutchandstopenginebeforeyou

leavetheoperatingposition(behindthehandle).

Waituntilthetinescometoacompletestopbefore

uncloggingthetines,makinganyadjustments,or inspections,

12.Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorly ventilatedarea.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon

monoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

13.Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea

burn,Donottouch,

14,Usecautionwhencultivatingnearfences,buildings

andundergroundutilities,Rotatingtinescancause

propertydamageorpersonalinjury,

15.Donotoverloadmachinecapacitybyattemptingto cultivatesoiltodeeportofastofarate,

16,Ifthemachineshouldstartmakinganunusual

noiseorvibration,stoptheengine,disconnectthe sparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheengine, Inspectthoroughlyfordamage,Repairanydamage beforestartingandoperating.

17,Keepallshields,guardsandsafetydevicesinplace

andoperatingproperly,

18.Neverpickuporcarrymachinewhiletheengineis

running,

19,Useonlyattachmentsandaccessoriesavailableby

theSears,Failuretodoso,canresultinpersonal

injury.

20,Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthis

manual,usecareandgoodjudgment,Contactyour nearestSearsservicecenter,

MaintenanceAndStorage

1, Never tamper with safety devices. Check their

proper operation regularly,

2, Check bolts and screws for proper tightness at

frequent intervals to keep the machine in safe working condition. Also, visually inspect machine for any damage.

3. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, stop the engine and make certain the tines and all moving

parts have stopped, Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent unintended starting,

4, Do not change the engine governor settings or

over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine,

5. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

6, Follow this manual for safe loading, unloading,

transporting, and storage of this machine,

7, Never store the machine or fuel container inside

where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer etc,

8, Always refer to the operator's manual for proper

instructions on off-season storage,

9, Always store unit in cultivator mode (all four tines

on unit) to avoid tip over,

10, If the fuel tank has to be drained, do this outdoors,

11. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

,_ WARNING: Restrict the use of this power

machine to persons who read, understand

and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

IMPORTANT:This unit is shipped without gasoline or

oil in the engine, After assembly, see OPERATION

section of this manual for proper fuel and engine oil

fill-up.

NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the

cultivator / edger is observed from the operating

position,

RemovingUnitFromCarton

• Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open

carton.

• Remove all loose parts that may be included with unit,

• Cut along corners, lay carton down flat, and remove packing material,

• Roll or slide unit out of carton and check carton thoroughly for loose parts,

LoosePartsInCarton

• Operator's Manual

• 3,4 fl,oz. (lOOml) Bottle of Engine Oil

• Edger Wheel

• Edger Blade

Wine

Marked Lines

Ca iag 1'

Handle Handle

Connector

DisconnectingSparkPlug

Before setting up your cultivator/edger, disconnect

the spark plug wire from the spark plug and ground to a stud on the engine.

SettingUpYourCultivator/ Edger

• Loosen each wing nut enough to separate the plastic connectors between the upper and lower handle. Gently lift up and pull out on the upper handle to raise the handle toward the operating

position. See Figure 1,

• Separate the connectors and position the bottom tip of upper handle connector in front of the bottom tip of lower handle connector,

• The lower handle connector has three marked lines on the top and the upper handle connector

has one marked line,

• Position the connectors aligning the marked line on the upper connector with the middle marked

line on the lower connector,

• To secure the upper and lower handle, tighten the wing nuts and washers (carriage bolts must be seated properly into the outer handle and

grooves must line up between connectors),

• If not already, tighten the cable tie on the right side of handle.

Figure 1

On/Off Switch

Handle

Connectors

Primel

Throttle Control

Starter Handle_

Front Handle

Tines

Read this operator's manual and safety rules before

operating your cultivator / edger, Compare the illustrations with your unit to familiarize yourself with

the location of various controls and adjustments, See Figure 2,

Starter Handle The starter handle isattached to an eyebolt in the

front of the engine,

ThrottleControl

The throttle control is located on the upper handle. Squeezing the control against handle speeds up the

engine and engages the cultivator / edger tines,

Release the handle to stop the tines.

ChokeLever The choke lever is located on the left side of engine

and it is used to enrich the fuel mixture when starting a cold engine.

AI+I BI" I cl÷l

Close Partial Open

Primer Button The primer button is located onthe rightside of

engine and it is used in conjunction with the choke to enrich the fuel mixture in the carburetor when starting

a cold engine, On/OffSwitch The On/Off switch is located on the upper handle,

The switch must be in the On (I) to start engine and

EdgerWheel

_ Edger Blade

Figure 2

Off (0) to stop engine,

HandleConnectors

The handle connectors are on each side between lowerand upper handle, They are used to lockthe

upper handle in a set position,

FrontHandle

The front handle can be used when transportingthe unit.

Tines

The tines are used to cultivate, furrow, and prepare

your garden for seeding,

WheelSupportBracket The wheel support bracket is attached to the tailpiece

bracket behind the cultivator/edger, It isused to adjust the wheels to a higher or lower resting position.

EdgerWheel andBlade The edger wheel and blade are separate parts that do

not come attached on the cultivator / edger, They are to be used instead of the cultivator tines for vertical

edging,

StoppingEngine

• Push the On/Off switch to Off (0) position to stop engine and tines,

• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and ground against the engine,

Oil Fill-Up

Using the proper type and weight of oil in the

crankcase is extremely important, Check the oil before each use and change the oil regularly, Failure

to use the correct oil or using dirty oil can cause premature engine wear and failure, Refer to

Maintenance Section,

Use a high-quality SAE 30 weight oil of API

(American Petroleum Institute) service class SF, SG, orSH.

NOTE: This unit is shipped without oil in the engine,

In order to avoid damage to the unit, put the recommended oil in the crankcase before attempting

to start unit,

This unit is shipped with one 3,4 fluid oz, (100ml) bottle of SAE 30 SF, SG, or SH oil.

NOTE: For cold weather operation, temperatures

below 40°F (4°C) use a high-quafity SAE 10W30

weight oil of API (American Petroleum Institute)

service class SF, SG, or SH.

When adding oil, the unit must be laid back in

the horizontal position on a flat surface with the upper handle touching the ground.

See Figure 3.

• Wipe up any oilthat may have spilled and reinstall the oil fill plug/dipstick,

GasFill-Up

Old fuel is the primary reason for the unit not running properly, Be sure to use fresh, clean, and unleaded

gasoline. Use fresh fuel (less than 60 days old), when using alcohol-blended fuel,

• When adding fuel, unit must be laid back in the

horizontal position on a flat surface,

• Remove fuel cap and remove the tag from the fuel tank neck, Refer to Figure 4,

,_ WARNING: Use extreme care when han-

• Place spout of gas container into the fill hole on

• Wipe up any gasoline that may have spilled and

• Move the unit at least 30 ft, (9,1m) from the

dling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

Never fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running. Extinguish cig-

arettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition.

the fuel tank and fill tank,

reinstall the fuel cap.

fueling source and site before starting the engine.

Figure 3

• Remove the oil plug/dipstick from the crankcase and pour 3.4 fl. oz. (lOOml.) bottle of oil into the

oil fill hole, Save bottle for refill, See Figure 4.

)Stick

Fuel Cap

Figure 4

IMPORTANT:The importance of checking and maintaining the proper oil level in the crankcase cannot be overemphasized. DO NOT OVERFILL.

NOTE: This is a 4-cycle engine, In order to avoid

damage to the unit, do not mix oil with gasoline,

StartingEngine

Before starting make sure spark plug wire is

attached to spark plug.

Check oil level and fill fuel tank with fresh fuel, Push On/Off switch on upper handle to On (I),

Place choke lever in Close (A) position, See Figure 5.

Fully press and release the primer bulb slowly 5

to 7 times, Gasoline should be felt and visible in the bulb. Press primer a few more times, if

gasoline is not noticed, See Figure 5,

\Choke Lever Primer Bulb

Figure 5

• Squeeze the throttle control to the wide open position, Refer to Figure 2,

• Place right foot on the right side of cultivator

wheel,

• Pull the starter rope briskly 3 to 5 times or until

engine attempts to run,

• Move the choke to Partial (B) position,

NOTE: The engine will not operate in the Close (A)

position.

• Pull the starter rope again 1 to 3 times until engine starts,

• Move choke lever to Open (C) position and run at full throttle for 30 seconds,Release throttle lever,

• With tines off the ground, depress the throttle lever against the upper handle to increase engine

speed and rotate tines,

,_ WARNING: Never run the engine indoors

or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair, and loose clothing away from rotating tines.

AdjustingtheWheelSupportBracket

To adjust the wheel support bracket proceed as follows:

• Stop engine and disconnect spark plug to avoid accidental starting,

• Remove cotter pin from the clevis pin and slide pin out of tailpiece bracket. See Figure 6,

• Slide the wheel support bracket up or down in the tailpiece, aligning the holes to the desire height,

• Place the clevis pin through the hole and secure with a cotter pin.

Cotter Pin_

Starting AWarm Engine

• Push On/Off switch on upper handle to On (I).

• Move the choke to Partial (B) position.

• Fully press and release the primer bulb slowly 5 to 7 times. Gasoline should be felt and visible in

the bulb, Press primer a few more times, if gasoline is not noticed. See Figure 5,

• Squeeze the throttle control to the wide open position, Refer to Figure 2.

• Place right foot on the right side of cultivator wheel,

• Pull the starter rope briskly 3to 5 times or until engine starts,

• Move choke lever to Open (C) position,

• With tines off the ground, depress the throttle lever against the upper handle to increase engine

speed and rotate tines.

UsingYourCultivator

,_ WARNING: Never pick up or carry the

• Move the cultivator to the work area prior to

• Start the engine referring to Starting Engine,

• With both hands on the upper handle and

• Once the tines are in the ground, continue to

• To adjust the cultivating depth, adjust the wheel

For cultivation, a two to three inch depth is desirable. When laying out plant rows, be sure to allow enough width to permit cultivation between the rows.

unit while the engine is running. Serious personal injury could result.

starting the engine, The cultivator may be transported by pushing it on the wheels or carrying it by the handles,

squeezing the throttle control, slowly lower the cultivator until the tines make contact with the

ground.

cultivate at a moderate pace until you are familiar with the controls and the handling of the

cultivator.

support bracket, See Adjusting The Wheel Bracket,

WheelSupport_ Bracket _._

Figure 6

AttachingtheEdgerWheelAndBlade

To convert the cultivator to an edger proceed as follows:

• Push the On/Off switch to Off (0) position to stop engine and tines and disconnect spark plug to

avoid accidental starting.

• It may be necessary to lay the cultivator / edger back in a horizontal position on a flat level surface with the upper handle touching the ground.

• Remove the click pin from each end of the tine shaft and slide the tines off the shaft,

• Slide the edger wheel, with the hub facing inward, onto the right side of the tine shaft and secure

with the click pin in the inside hole. See Figure 7,

• Slide the edger blade with the hub facing out onto the left side of tine shaft and secure with the click

pin in the inside hole. See Figure 7,

Edger Guide

Hub

Click Pin

Edger Wheel

Edger

Figure 7

Guide edger blade along a flowerbed, sidewalk, or driveway with the edger wheel along the

outside edge, Use the edger guide line to line up edger blade, See Figure 7,

MAINTENANCE J ,_ _ __ // SCHEDULE _"°'_ _._,_.. _ _ /

Check Engine Oil

., Change Engine Oil _ _

Clean Air Filter _

Check Spark Plug _ q_ Check Spark Arrester

Rocker Arm Clearance _

NOTE: Maintenance, replacement, or repair of

the emission control devices and system may be

performed by any non-road engine repair estab- lishment, individual or authorized service dealer.

In order to assure peak performance of your engine, inspection of the engine exhaust port may be necessary after 50 hours of operation, If you notice

lost RPM, poor performance, or general lack of acceleration, this service may be required, If you feel your engine is need of this inspection, refer to aSears

service center, DO NOT attempt to perform this process yourself as engine damage may result from contaminants envolved in the cleaning process for the port,

,_ WARNING: Always stop engine and dis-

connect spark plug wire before cleaning or doing any kind of maintenance on your cultivator / edger.

Checking0il

Figure 8

• Remove the oil fill plug/dipstick and wipe off oil, Reinsert it all the way back in.

• Remove the oil fill plug/dipstick and check oil level. Oil should be up to the top of the dipstick.

Refer to Figure 4,

• If the level is low, add a small amount of oil to the oil fill hole and recheck. Repeat until the oil level

reaches the top of the dipstick, See Figure 9,

NOTE: Make sure the O-ring is in place on the oil fill

plug/dipstick when checking and changing the oil

,_ WARNING: To prevent extensive engine

wear and damage to the unit, always

maintain the proper oil level in the crank- case. Never operate the unit with the oil level below the bottom of the dipstick.

• Check oil before each use.

• Stop engine and allow oil to drain into the crankcase,

• When checking oil, the unit must be laid back in the horizontal position on a flat surface with

the upper handle touching the ground, See Figure 8,

• Keep dirt and debris out of the engine, Clean the area around the oil fill plug/dipstick before

removing it,

O-Rin¢

_,_ Plug/Dipstick

Figure 9

Oil Fill

Changing0il

• Remove the oil fill plug/dipstick,

• Tip the unit back or away from the air filter to pour the oil out of the oil fill hole and into a container,

• Wipe up any oil residue on the unit and clean up any oil that may have spilled, Dispose of the oil according to federal, state, and local regulations,

• When adding oil, the unit must be laid back in

the horizontal position on a flat surface with the upper handle touching the ground.

See Figure 8.

• Refill the crankcase with 3.4 fl.oz. (100 ml.} of SAE 30 SF, SG, orSH oil,

• Replace the oil fill plug/dipstick.

Air FilterMaintenance

• Open the air filter cover on side of engine by pushing the tab on the left side in and swinging

the air filter cover out and off, See Figure 10,

• Remove the air filter and screen.

• Wash the filter in detergent and water, Rinse the filter thoroughly and allow it to dry.

• Apply enough clean SAE 30 motor oil to lightly coat the filter and squeeze the filter to spread and

remove excess oil,

• Replace the screen and filter,

• Position the hooks on the right side of the air filter cover into the slots at the right side of the air filter housing.

• Swing the cover to the left until the tab on the air filter cover snaps into place in the slot.

• Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the plug wire firmly and pull the cap from the spark plug,

• Clean dirt from around the spark plug and remove the spark plug from the cylinder head by

turning counterclockwise using a socket.

• Set the air gap at 0,025 in (0,655 mm.) using a

feeler gauge, See Figure 11,

• Install a correctly gapped spark plug in the

cylinder head and tighten by turning the socket clockwise until snug. Do not over tighten.

.025" Feeler Gauc

Figure 11

SparkArrestorMaintenance

• Remove the muffler cover, if equipped, by pressing down on the corner with a flat blade

screwdriver, Slide the notches on the sides of the muffler cover over the tabs on the engine cover

and remove,

• Remove the screw attaching the spark arrestor

cover to the muffler, See Figure 12.

Air Filter

Air Filte_rrCover

Air Filter_

Figure 10

CarburetorAdjustment

If the engine will not idle, hesitates or stalls on acceleration, or there is a loss of engine power have

the carburetor adjusted by an Sears service center.

ReplacingTheSparkPlug

The spark plug should be removed and check after every 25 hours of operation. To replace the spark

plug proceed as follows:

Muffler Screen

.......\- \ Screw

• Pull the tab on the spark arrestor cover out of the muffler and remove the spark arrestor cover,

• Remove the spark arrestor screen from the spark

arrestor cover.

• Clean the spark arrestor screen with a wire brush

or replace screen.

• Reinstall the spark arrester screen, spark

arrestor cover, and screw,

Spark Arrestor

Slot par rres er

Cover

Figure 12

RockerArmClearance

This requires disassembly of the engine. If you feel unsure or unqualified to perform this adjustment, take

the unit to a Sears service center,

NOTE: Inspect the valve to rocker arm clearance with a feeler gauge after the first 10 hours of operation

andthenevery50hoursofoperationthereafter.

IMPORTANT: The engine must be cold when checking or adjusting the valve clearance. This task should be performed inside in a clean and dust free area. A new

gasket must be used in this adjustment. A new rocker arm gasket (part # 791-182099)can be purchased from your Sears service center.

• Remove the muffler cover by pressing down on the corner with a flat blade screwdriver. Slide the

notches on the sides of the muffler cover over the tabs on the engine cover and remove.

• Remove the two screws on top of the engine cover with a phillips screwdriver. See Figure 13.

-- Screw

• Remove the rocker arm cover and gasket. Pull the starter rope slowly to bring the piston to the top

of its travel. Make sure:

• The piston should be at the top of its travel while

looking in the spark plug hole. See Figure 14.

• Both rocker arms should move freely and both

valves are closed.

If not, repeat this step.

• Slide the feeler gauge between the rocker arm and

the valve return spring. Measure the clearance between the valve stem and rocker arm. Do both

intake and exhaust valves. See Figure 15.

The recommended clearance for both intake and exhaust is .003-.006" (.076-.152mm). Use a standard

(.127mm) feeler gauge. The feeler gauge should slide between the rocker arm and valve stem with a slight

amount of resistance without binding.

Nuts

Figure 13

• Remove the screw on back of the engine cover. See Figure 13.

• Disconnect the spark plug wire and clean dirt around plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylin- der head by turning a 5/8" socket counterclockwise.

• Remover engine cover.

NOTE: Pull the starter rope out a little to give some slack and to ease the removal of the engine cover.

• Clean dirt from around the rocker arm cover and

remove the screw holding the rocker arm cover with a large flat blade screwdriver or Torx T25 bit. See Figure 14.

Rocker Arm Cover

Spark Plug Hole

Figure 14

Feeler Gauge

Nut

Arm

.003-.006

(

Feeler Gauge

Figure 15

If the clearance is not within specification:

• Turn the adjusting nut using a 5/16" (8mm) wrench or nut driver,

• To increase clearance, turn the adjusting nut counterclockwise.

• To decrease clearance, turn the adjusting nut clockwise,

• Recheck both clearances and adjust as necessary.

• Reinstall the rocker arm cover using a new gasket. Torque the screw to 20-30in-lb (2.2-3,4 Nm),

• Reinstall the engine cover and check alignment of the cover before tightening the screws.

• Replace the muffler cover and slip the long tabs on the cover into the engine cover. Slide the notches

on the side of muffler cover over the tabs on engine cover, Snap into place.

• Check spark plug, reinstall, and attach spark plug wire.

+ 25 hidden pages