4. Clean around the spark plugs to prev ent dir t
from falling into the engine and potentially
causing damag e .
5. R emo v e the spark plugs and metal w ashers .
Figure 52
1. Spark plug wire 2. Spark plug
Checking the Spark Plugs
1. Look at the center of the spark plugs
( Figure 53 ).
If y ou see a light bro wn or g ra y coating on the
insulator , the engine is operating properly . A
blac k coating on the insulator usually means
the air cleaner is dir ty .
Important: Do not clean the spar k
plugs. Al w ays r eplace a spar k plug when it
has a black coating , w or n electr odes, an
oil y film, or cracks.
2. Chec k the g ap betw een the center and side
electrodes ( Figure 53 ) and bend the side
electrode , if the g ap is not cor rect.
Figure 53
1. Center electrode insulator
3. Air gap (not to scale)
2. Side electrode
Installing the Spark Plugs
1. Install the spark plugs and metal w ashers .
2. Tighten the spark plugs to 18 to 22 ft-lb (24.4
to 29.8 N ⋅ m).
3. Push the wires onto the spark plugs ( Figure 52 ).
4. Close and latc h the seat.
Fuel System
Maintenance
Replacing the Fuel Filter
R e place the fuel filter after ev er y 100 operating
hours .
1. Set the parking brak e , stop the pump , stop the
engine , and remo v e the ignition k ey .
2. R elease the latc h on the bac k of the seat and
lift the seat forw ard.
3. Clamp off the hose on either side of the fuel
filter to prev ent g as from pouring out of the
hoses when y ou remo v e the filter .
4. Place a drain pan under the filter .
5. Squeeze the ends of the hose clamps tog ether
and slide them a w a y from the filter ( Figure 54 ).
6. R emo v e the filter from the fuel lines .
Figure 54
1. Hose clamp 3. Filter
2. Fuel line 4. Flow direction arrow
7. Install a new filter and mo v e the hose clamps
close to the filter .
Ensure that the flo w direction ar ro w points
to w ard the engine .
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