MTD 38 warranty Trouble Shooting, Problem Cause Remedy

Page 16

6

Trouble

Shooting

For repairs beyond

the minor adjustments

listed here, contact

an authorized service

dealer.

NOTE: Specifications are subject to change without notification or obligation.

Images my not reflect your exact model and are for reference purposes only.

Problem

 

Cause

 

Remedy

 

 

 

 

 

Engine fails to start

1.

Blade control disengaged.

1.

Engage blade control.

 

2.

Spark plug wire disconnected.

2.

Connect wire to spark plug.

 

3.

Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.

3.

Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.

 

4.

Engine not choked.

4.

Choke engine as instructed in the

 

 

 

 

“Operating Your Lawn Mower” section.

 

5.

Faulty spark plug.

5.

Clean, adjust gap, or replace.

 

6.

Blocked fuel line.

6.

Clean fuel line.

 

7.

Engine flooded.

7.

Wait a few minutes to restart, but do

 

 

 

 

not prime.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine runs erratic

1.

Spark plug wire loose.

1.

Connect and tighten spark plug wire.

 

2.

Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.

2.

Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean,

 

 

 

 

fresh gasoline.

 

3.

Vent in gas cap plugged.

3.

Clear vent.

 

4.

Water or dirt in fuel system.

4.

Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.

 

5.

Dirty air cleaner.

5.

Refer to engine manual.

 

6.

Carburetor out of adjustment.

6.

Refer to engine manual.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine overheats

1.

Engine oil level low.

1.

Fill crankcase with proper oil.

 

2.

Air flow restricted.

2.

Remove blower housing and clean.

 

3.

Carburetor not adjusted properly.

3.

Refer to engine manual.

 

 

 

 

 

Occasional skips

1.

Spark plug gap too close.

1.

Adjust gap to .030-inch.

(hesitates) at high speed

2.

Carburetor idle mixture adjustment

2.

Refer to engine manual.

 

 

improperly set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Idles poorly

1.

Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too wide.

1.

Reset gap to .030-inch or replace

 

 

 

 

spark plug.

 

2.

Carburetor improperly adjusted.

2.

Refer to engine manual.

 

3.

Dirty air cleaner.

3.

Refer to engine manual.

 

 

 

 

 

Excessive Vibration

1.

Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.

1.

Tighten blade and adapter. Balance

 

 

 

 

blade.

 

2.

Bent cutting blade.

2.

See an authorized service dealer.

 

 

 

 

 

Mower will not mulch grass

1.

Wet grass.

1.

Do not mow when grass is wet; wait

 

 

 

 

until later to cut.

 

2.

Excessively high grass.

2.

Mow once at a high cutting height,

 

 

 

 

then mow again at desired height or

 

 

 

 

make a narrower cutting path.

 

3.

Dull blade.

3.

Sharpen or replace blade.

 

 

 

 

 

Uneven cut

1.

Wheels not positioned correctly.

1.

Place all four wheels in same

 

 

 

 

height position.

 

2.

Dull blade.

2.

Sharpen or replace blade.

 

 

 

 

 

16

Image 16
Contents OPERATOR’S Manual Inch Rotary Mower ModelFinding and Recording Model Number Table of ContentsCustomer Support Slope Gauge Children General OperationService Slope OperationSetup Adjustment Loose PartsSpark Plug Wire Lower the Discharge ChuteAttach the Handles Attaching Lower HandleAttach the Blade Control Handle Attach the Blade Control CableSecure the Cable Attach the WheelsAttach the Recoil Starter WireReattach the Spark Plug Cutting Height AdjustmentsHandle Height Page Operating MowerUsing Your Lawn Mower Operating Your Lawn MowerStarting Engine Operating TipsCleaning the Mower Maintaining Your Lawn MowerGeneral Recommendations LubricationOff-Season Storage Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft, FigureTrouble Shooting Problem Cause RemedySafety Labels Page Parts List MANUFACTURER’S Limited Warranty for