SECTION 10: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
Trouble
Possible Cause(s)
Corrective Actions
Engine fails to | Blade control handle disengaged. | Engage blade control handle. |
start | Spark plug wire disconnected. | Connect wire to spark plug. |
| Dirty aircleaner. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
| Primer button not depressed. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
| Throttle control lever not in correct | Move throttle lever to FAST or START position. |
| starting position (if so equipped). |
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| Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. | Fill tank with clean fresh gasoline. Fuel will not last over thirty |
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| days unless a fuel stabilizer is used. |
| Blocked fuel line (if so equipped). | Clean fuel line. |
| Faulty spark plug. | Clean, adjust gap or replace. |
| Engine flooded. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
Engine runs | Unit running in START position. | Move throttle lever to FAST position. |
erratic | Spark plug wire loose. | Connect and tighten spark plug wire. Check spark plug for |
|
| fouling. |
| Blocked fuel line (if so equipped) or | Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Fuel will |
| stale fuel. | not last over thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is added. |
| Vent in gas cap plugged. | Clear vent or threads or replace. |
| Water or dirt in fuel system. | Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel. |
| Dirty air cleaner. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
| Carburetor out of adjustment. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
Engine | Engine oil level low. | Fill crankcase with proper oil. |
overheats | Dirty aircleaner. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
| Air flow restricted. | Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire. Remove blower |
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| housing and clean. |
| Carburetor not adjusted properly. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit or see an |
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| authorized service dealer.* |
Occasional | Spark plug gap too close. | Adjust gap to .030". |
skip (hesitates) | Carburetor idle mixture adjustment | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
at high speed | improperly set. |
|
Idles poorly | Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too | Reset gap to .030" or replace spark plug. |
| wide. |
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| Carburetor improperly adjusted. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
| Dirty air cleaner. | Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit. |
Excessive | Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. | Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade. |
vibration | Bent cutting blade. | See an authorized service dealer. |
Mower will not | Engine speed too low. | Set throttle between 3/4 and full throttle. |
mulch grass | Wet grass. | Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut. |
| Excessively high grass. | Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at |
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| desired height or make a narrower cutting swath (1/2 width). |
Uneven cut | Wheels not positioned correctly. | Place all four wheels in same height position. |
| Dull blade. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
Wheels will not | Belt not installed properly. | Check belt for proper pulley installation and movement. |
propel** | Debris clogging mechanism. | Clean out debris. |
Note: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments above, contact your local authorized service dealer.
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