MTD 5234D Lawn Mower User Manual


 
41
Clean the area around the oil filler cap to
prevent debris from entering the crankcase.
See Figure 51.
Figure 51
Turn the oil filler cap counterclockwise to
unscrew from the valve cover.
SLOWLY pour oil into the crankcase until the
oil level reaches the “FULL” mark on the
dipstick. Refer to Figure 50.
Insert the oil fill cap into the valve cover and
turn clockwise until fully tightened. Reinsert the
dipstick into the dipstick tube and push firmly
into the tube. Clip the dipstick handle into the
retaining clip.
IMPORTANT: The oil fill cap and dipstick must
always be installed securely in place when the
engine is running. Severe engine damage could
result from failure to do so.
CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
The engine oil and oil filter should be changed after
the first fifty hours of operation and every 150 hours
thereafter. Refer to the LUBRICATION TABLE in
the MAINTENANCE SECTION of this manual for
the quantity of oil needed, and to determine the
proper type of oil to use for the conditions under
which the engine will be operated.
WARNING: Because the engine is oper-
ated prior to draining the oil, the engine
may be hot. Use caution to avoid burn-
ing yourself on engine surfaces.
Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the oil in
the crankcase to warm up. Warm oil will flow more
freely and carry away more engine impurities. Use
care to avoid burns from hot oil. While the engine
oil is warm, proceed as follows:
Place the tractor on a level surface and engage
the parking brake. Stop the tractor engine and
remove the ignition key.
Clean around the base of the oil filter, the oil
filler cap, and the dipstick tube to prevent
debris from entering the crankcase.
Remove the dipstick and oil fill cap from the
engine. Refer to Figure 50 and Figure 51.
Locate the engine drain plug on the bottom/
right side of the engine (See Figure 52). Place
a suitable container below the drain plug to
collect the old oil.
Figure 52
Turn the drain plug counter-clockwise to
remove from the engine.
Allow the old oil to completely drain from the
engine crankcase into the container below.
Remove the filter by turning it counterclockwise
using an automotive type filter wrench to
loosen. See Figure 53.
Figure 53
Reinstall the drain plug in the engine and clean
up any residual oil. Refer to Figure 52.
Apply a light coating of clean oil on the gasket of
the new oil filter. Thread the filter on by hand
until the gasket contacts the filter mounting sur-
face, then tighten the filter an additional 3/4 turn.
Refill the crankcase to the "FULL" mark on the
dipstick with the appropriate type oil.
Reinstall the oil fill cap and dipstick.
OIL FILL CAP
RT. FRAME RAIL
OIL DRAIN PLUG
OIL
FILTER
FUEL
FILTER
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
FULL
MARK
LOW
MARK