ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM

PROBABLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

 

 

 

Excessive Fuel

Restriction in air cleaner

Remove obstruction

Consumption

Poor compression

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

Incorrect grade of fuel

Use fuel recommended in manufacturer’s manual

 

Sticking throttle/restricted movement

Lubricate or replace

 

Leaking cylinder head gasket

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Worn oil pump

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Worn cylinder bores

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Pitted valve stems and seats

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Broken, worn, or sticking piston rings

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

 

High Oil Pressure

Incorrect grade of lubricating oil

Use oil recommended in manufacturer’s manual

 

Pressure relief valve sticking closed

Repair or replace spring

 

 

 

Knocking

Incorrect grade of fuel

Use fuel recommended in manufacturer’s manual

 

Overheating

Allow to cool; determine cause

 

Sticking valves

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Worn cylinder bores

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Broken, worn, or sticking piston rings

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Worn or damaged bearings

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Incorrect piston height

Adjust per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Broken valve spring

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

 

Loss of Power or System

Restriction in air cleaner

Remove obstruction

 

Blocked fuel feed line

Remove obstruction

 

Choked fuel filter

Remove obstruction

 

Poor compression

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Blocked fuel tank vent

Remove obstruction

 

Incorrect grade of fuel

Use fuel recommended in manufacturer’s manual

 

Sticking throttle/restricted movement

Lubricate or replace

 

Leaking cylinder head gasket

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Overheating

Allow to cool; determine cause

 

Worn cylinder bores

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Pitted valve stems and seats

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Broken, worn, or sticking piston rings

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

 

Low Cranking Power

Bad electrical connection

Check connections to electric start (if applicable)

 

Faulty starter motor (if applicable)

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Incorrect grade of lubricating oil

Use oil recommended in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

 

Low Oil Pressure

Incorrect grade of lubricating oil

Use oil recommended in manufacturer’s manual

 

Worn or damaged bearings

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Insufficient oil in sump

Refill with oil

 

Oil pump worn

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

 

Misfiring

Choked fuel filter

Remove obstruction

 

Poor compression

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Leaking cylinder head gasket

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Overheating

Allow to cool; determine cause

 

Incorrect tappet adjustment

Adjust per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Sticking valves

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Pitted valves and seats

Repair per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

 

 

Overheating

Restriction in air cleaner

Remove obstruction

 

Incorrect valve timing

Adjust per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

 

Leaking cylinder head gasket

Replace per instructions in manufacturer’s manual

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