Craftsman C459-36310 - OFF-SEASON STORAGE; Preparing the Engine for Storage; Preparing the Mower for Storage; Removing Mower from Storage

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OFF-SEASON STORAGE
Preparing The Lawn Mower
• CleanandlubricatemowerthoroughlyasdescribedintheService&
MaiintenanceSection.
• Coatmower’scuttingbladewithchassisgreasetopreventrusting.
• RefertoPREPARINGTHEENGINEforcorrectenginestorageinstructions.
• Storeinaclean,dryandwellventilatedareaawayfromanyappliancethat
operateswithaflameorpilotlight,suchasafurnace,waterheater,or
clothesdryer.Alsoavoidanyareawithasparkproducingelectricmotor,or
wherepowertoolsareoperated.
• Ifpossible,alsoavoidstorageareaswithhighhumidity,becausethat
promotesrustandcorrosion.
Removing From Storage
• Checkengineoilbeforestartingengine.SeetheOperationsectionofthis
manual.
• Ifthefuelwasdrainedduringstoragepreparation,fillthetankwithfresh
gasoline.Ifyoukeepacontainerofgasolineforrefueling,makecertain
itcontainsonlyfreshfuel.Gasolineoxidizesanddeterioratesovertime,
causinghardstarting.
• Ifthecylinderwascoatedwithoilduringstoragepreparation,theengine
willsmokebrieflyatstartup.Thisisnormal.
Preparing The Engine
CAUTION
Failure to use a fuel stabilizing additive such as STA-BIL® or completely
run the engine until it’s out of fuel before off-season storage may result
in damage to your engine’s carburetor. Subsequent damage would not be
covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Gasolinethatwillbestoredlongerthan30daysneedstobepre-treatedupon
purchasewithfuelstabilizersuchasSTA-BIL®topreventgumandvarnishfrom
formingintheenginesfuelandintakesystem.Improperfuelstoragecanresultin
hardstarting,nostarting,stallingandpoorperformance.Ifthegasolineinyour
enginedeterioratesduringstorage,youmayneedtohavethecarburetor,andother
fuelsystemcomponents,servicedorreplaced.
• Removeallfuelfromtankbyrunningengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffuel.
• Changeoil.
• Removesparkplugandpourabout1/2anounceofengineoilintocylinder.
Replacesparkplugandcrankslowlytodistributeoil.
• Cleandebrisfromaroundengine,underfingerguard,andunder,aroundand
behindmuffler.Touchupanydamagedpaint,andcoatotherareasthatmay
rustwithalightfilmofoil.
• Keeptheenginelevelinstorage.Tiltingcancausefueloroilleakage.
WARNING
Never store lawn mower with fuel in tank indoors or in poorly ventilated
areas where fuel fumes may reach an open flame, spark, or pilot light as on
a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, or gas appliance.