
9
THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE
Good maintenance is essential for safe, economi-
cal, and trouble-free operation. It will also help
reduce air pollution.
Improperly maintaining this engine, or failure to
correct a problem before operation, can cause
amalfunction in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance
recommendations and schedules in this
owner’s manual.
To help you properly care for your engine, the fol-
lowing pages include a maintenance schedule, rou-
tine inspection procedures, and simple mainte-
nance procedures using basic hand tools. Other
service tasks that are more difficult, or require spe-
cial tools, are best handled by professionals and
are normally performed by a technician or other
qualified mechanic.
The maintenance schedule applies to normal oper-
ating conditions. If you operate your engine under
unusual conditions, such as sustained high-load or
high-temperature operation, or use in unusually wet
or dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer
for recommendations applicable to your individual
needs and use.
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
Some of the most important safety precautions are
as follows. (Note: We cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in performing
maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not
you should perform a given task.)
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and precautions
in the owner’s manual.
Safety Precautions
•Make sure the engine is off before you begin any
maintenance or repairs. This will eliminate several
potential hazards:
•Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine
exhaust. Be sure there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
•Burns from hot parts. Let the engine and
exhaust system cool before touching.
•Injury from moving parts. Do not run the
engine unless instructed to do so.
•Read the instructions before you begin, and make
sure you have the tools and skills required to per-
form the maintenance.
•To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be
careful when working around gasoline. Use only a
nonflammable solvent, not gasoline, to clean parts.
Keep cigarettes, sparks and flames away from all
fuel-related parts.
Remember that your servicing dealer knows your
engine best and is fully equipped to maintain and
repair it.
To ensure the best quality and reliability, use only
new,genuine parts or their equivalents for repair
and replacement.
Maintenance