Troy-Bilt 12097 - MAINTENANCE;SERVICE CONTINUED; Engine Maintenance; Carburetor Adjustment Procedures

MAINTENANCE/SERVICE
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
Engine Lubrication
The engine on your equipment is a two-cycle (“two-
stroke”) engine. Lubrication is provided by mixing the
proper type and amount of two-cycle oil with unleaded
regular gasoline. See Page 9 for mixing instructions.
Attempting to operate the engine on gasoline alone
(without the appropriate amount of two-cycle oil mixed
in) will cause the engine to overheat and seize up.
Engine Air Filter
It is extremely important that air filter service be per¬
formed by the maintenance schedule and according to
the steps that follow. Your equipment has two thin
flocked filters and a thick foam filter. See Figure 17.
Figure 17: Engine air filter assembly. Cover (A); larger
flocked filter (B); foam filter (C); smaller flocked filter (D).
IMPORTANT: Never run engine without air filter as¬
sembly properly installed on engine.
To Remove and Inspect the Air Filter Components:
• Loosen both cover screws.
• Remove the cover along with the screws.
• Remove the outer, larger flocked filter.
• Remove the thick foam filter.
• Remove the inner, smaller flocked filter.
• Inspect all three filters for discoloration or dirt accumu¬
lation. If either is present, service the filters.
• Thoroughly clean inside of cover and body.
To Service the Air Filters:
Thick Foam Filter Service-
• Clean and re-oil every three (3) months or every 25
operating hours. Clean and re-oil daily if used in ex¬
tremely dusty conditions.
• Wash in water and detergent solution and squeeze
(don’t twist) until all dirt is removed.
• Rinse thoroughly in clear water.
• Wrap in a clean cloth and squeeze until dry.
• Saturate with motor oil and squeeze (don’t twist) to
distribute oil and remove excess oil.
Thin Flocked Filters Service-
• Wash both flocked filters in a water and detergent mix.
• Rinse thoroughly in clear water, then air dry the filters.
• Reassemble filter components as shown in Figure 17.
Carburetor Adjustment
WARNING
Do not tamper with the engine governor screw
which is factory-set for the proper engine speed.
Overspeeding the engine beyond the factory high
speed setting can be dangerous and will void the
engine warranty. Authorized service shall be
sought if a problem exists.
WARNING
The temperature of the muffler and adjacent engine
areas may exceed 150°F (65° C). Contact may
cause burns. Avoid these areas. Remove the
spark plug lead and ground the lead to the engine
to prevent accidental starts and fires.
Failure to do this could cause personal injury.
If the engine is running poorly or has low power under
tilling conditions, an idle mixture screw adjustment to the
carburetor may solve the problem. However, first in¬
spect and service the spark plug and the air filter before
making a carburetor adjustment. If the engine continues
to run poorly (and the fuel mixture is fresh), proceed to
the carburetor adjustment instructions below.
This factory-engineered instruction has been designed to
provide continued optimum engine operating perfor¬
mance after the engine break-in period, which is approxi¬
mately 5 to 10 hours. The adjustment, when properly
performed as described below, will not void the engine
warranty. A common screwdriver is needed. If you pre¬
fer, see an authorized Engine Dealer for adjustment.
Prior to Carburetor Adjustment:
• Let the engine cool for 30 minutes before continuing.
• From the operator’s position behind the handlebars, lay
the machine down on its left side (muffler side).
Carburetor A djustment:
• Locate the carburetor idle mixture screw (see Figure
17A). It is directly under the air filter and is black. Do
Not Adjust The Silver-Colored Screw.
•Turn the idle mixture screw 1/16 of a turn clockwise.
• Return the Tiller/Cultivator to its normal upright operat¬
ing position and reconnect the spark plug lead.
If the engine continues to run poorly, please contact an
authorized Engine Dealer.
Figure 17A: Idle Mixture Screw can be adjusted.
17