Engine Troubleshooting
Problem |
| Possible Causes |
| Probable Solutions |
Engine will not start | Fuel Related: | Fuel Related: | ||
| 1. | No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed. | 1. | Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve. |
| 2. | Choke not in CHOKE position, cold engine. | 2. | Move Choke to CHOKE position. |
| 3. | Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol | 3. | Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel |
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| used. (E15, E20, E85, etc.) |
| system. Replace components damaged |
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| by ethanol. Use fresh 87+ octane |
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| unleaded gasoline only. |
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| Do not use gasoline with more than |
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| 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.). |
| 4. | Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline. | 4. | Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline. |
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| Do not use gasoline with more than |
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| 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.). |
| 5. | Carburetor not primed. | 5. | Pull on Starter Handle to prime. |
| 6. | Dirty fuel passageways. | 6. | Clean out passageways using fuel additive. |
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| Heavy deposits may require further cleaning. |
| 7. | Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel | 7. | Gently tap side of carburetor float |
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| can be smelled in the air. |
| chamber with screwdriver handle. |
| 8. | Too much fuel in chamber. This can be | 8. | Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark |
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| caused by the carburetor needle sticking. |
| plug and pull the start handle several times |
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| to air out the chamber. Reinstall spark |
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| plug and set Choke to CHOKE position. |
| 9. | Clogged Fuel Filter. | 9. | Replace Fuel Filter. |
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| Ignition (spark) Related: | Ignition (spark) Related: | ||
| 1. | Spark plug cap not connected securely. | 1. | Connect spark plug cap properly. |
| 2. | Spark plug electrode wet or dirty. | 2. | Clean spark plug. |
| 3. | Incorrect spark plug gap. | 3. | Correct spark plug gap. |
| 4. | Spark plug cap broken. | 4. | Replace spark plug cap. |
| 5. | Incorrect spark timing or | 5. | Have qualified technician diagnose/ |
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| faulty ignition system. |
| repair ignition system. |
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| Compression Related: | Compression Related: | ||
| 1. | Cylinder not lubricated. Problem after long | 1. | Pour tablespoon of oil into spark |
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| storage periods. |
| plug hole. Crank engine a few |
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| times and try to start again. |
| 2. | Loose or broken spark plug. (Hissing | 2. | Tighten spark plug. If that does not work, |
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| noise will occur when trying to start.) |
| replace spark plug. If problem persists, |
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| may have head gasket problem, see #3. |
| 3. | Loose cylinder head or damaged | 3. | Tighten head. If that does not remedy |
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| head gasket. (Hissing noise will |
| problem, replace head gasket. |
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| occur when trying to start.) |
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| 4. | Engine valves or tappets | 4. | Have qualified technician diagnose/ |
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| mis‑adjusted or stuck. |
| repair ignition system. |
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Follow all safety precautions whenever diagnosing or servicing the equipment or engine.
Page 16 | For Pump technical questions, please call | Item 68375 |
| For Engine technical questions, please call |
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