Troubleshooting Guide, Engine does not Start

Troubleshooting Guide

ENGINE DOES NOT START

What To Check		Possible Cause
	NO	Faulty recoil starter.
iÃÊÌiÊi}iÊVÀ>¶		Faulty recoil starter.
iÃÊÌiÊi}iÊVÀ>¶		Fluid in the crankcase.
		Fluid in the crankcase.
		Internal damage.
YES		Loose spark plug.
`ÊV«ÀiÃÃ¶	NO	Loose spark plug.
`ÊV«ÀiÃÃ¶	NO	Excess wear on cylinder, piston, rings.
		Excess wear on cylinder, piston, rings.
		Valves not seating.
YES		Fuel incorrect, stale or contaminated;
iÃÊÌiÊÌ>ÊVÌ>Ê	NO	Fuel incorrect, stale or contaminated;
iÃÊÌiÊÌ>ÊVÌ>Ê	NO	mixture incorrect.
vÀiÃÊvÕiÊvÊÌiÊ«À«iÀÊ		mixture incorrect.
vÀiÃÊvÕiÊvÊÌiÊ«À«iÀÊ
}À>`i¶

YES		Check for clogged fuel filter and/or vent.
YES
ÃÊvÕiÊÛÃLiÊ>`ÊÛ}Ê	NO
ÊÌiÊÀiÌÕÀÊiÊÜiÊ		Priming pump not functioning properly.
«À}¶		Priming pump not functioning properly.
«À}¶

YES		The ignition switch is in “O” (OFF)
ÃÊÌiÀiÊÃ«>ÀÊ>ÌÊÌiÊÃ«>ÀÊ	NO	The ignition switch is in “O” (OFF)
ÃÊÌiÀiÊÃ«>ÀÊ>ÌÊÌiÊÃ«>ÀÊ	NO	position.
«Õ}ÊÜÀiÊÌiÀ>¶		position.
«Õ}ÊÜÀiÊÌiÀ>¶		Shorted ignition ground.
		Shorted ignition ground.
YES		Faulty ignition unit.
YES		If the plug is wet, excess fuel may be in
iVÊÌiÊÃ«>ÀÊ«Õ}°		If the plug is wet, excess fuel may be in
iVÊÌiÊÃ«>ÀÊ«Õ}°		the cylinder.
		the cylinder.
		The plug is fouled or improperly gapped.
		The plug is damaged internally or of the
		wrong size.

Remedy

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Tighten and re-test.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Refill with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane of 87 or higher mixed with

a 2-cycle air cooled mixing oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FC classified oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.

Replace fuel filter or vent as required; restart.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Move switch to “I” (ON) position and restart.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Crank the engine with the plug removed, reinstall the plug, and restart.

Clean and regap the plug to 0.024 - 0.028 inch (0.6 - 0.7 mm). Restart.

Replace the plug with an NGK CMR5H or equivalent resistor type spark plug of the correct heat range. Set spark plug electrode gap to 0.024-0.028 inch (0.6-0.7 mm).

LOW POWER OUTPUT

What To Check

Is the engine overheating?

Possible Cause

Operator is overworking the unit. Carburetor mixture is too lean. Improper fuel ratio.

Fan, fan cover, cylinder fins dirty or damaged.

Carbon deposits on the piston or in the muffler.

Remedy

Cut at a slower rate.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Refill with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane of 87 or higher mixed with

a 2-cycle air cooled mixing oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FC classified oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.

Clean, repair or replace as necessary.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Engine is rough at all speeds. May also have black smoke and/or unburned fuel at the exhaust.

Engine is knocking.

Clogged air cleaner element. Loose or damaged spark plug. Air leakage or clogged fuel line. Water in the fuel.

Piston seizure.

Faulty carburetor and/or diaphragm. Valve clearance set incorrectly.

Overheating condition.

Improper fuel.

Carbon deposits in the combustion chamber.

Valve clearance set incorrectly.

Service the air cleaner element.

Tighten or replace.

Repair or replace filter and/or fuel line.

Replace the fuel. See page 7.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

See above.

Check fuel octane rating; check for presence of alcohol in the fuel (pg. 7). Refuel as necessary.

Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.

Adjust valves (see page 13).