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TRoUblEShooTING - ENGINE

Problem Possible causes Probable Solutions

Engine will not

start

FUEL RELATED:
Improper gasoline/2 cycle oil mix.1.
No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed.2.
Choke not in start position, especially 3.
with cold engine.
Low quality or deteriorated, old 4.
gasoline.
Carburetor not primed. 5.
Dirty fuel passageways blocking fuel 6.
ow.
Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel can be 7.
smelled in the air.
Too much fuel in chamber. This can be 8.
caused by a stuck carburetor needle.
FUEL RELATED:
Mix 50 parts unleaded gasoline with 1 1.
part 2-cycle oil.
Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve.2.
Move choke to start position if engine 3.
is cold.
Use only fresh 89+ octane unleaded 4.
gasoline and 2-cycle oil mixture.
Prime carburetor by pressing priming 5.
bulb specied number of times (if
equipped).
Clean out passageways using fuel 6.
additive. Heavy deposits may require
further cleaning.
Gently tap side of carburetor oat 7.
chamber with screwdriver handle.
Turn choke to run position. Remove 8.
spark plug and pull the start handle
several times to air out the chamber.
Reinstall spark plug and set choke to
start position.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
Spark plug wire not connected 1.
securely.
Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.2.
Incorrect spark plug gap.3.
Spark plug wire or spark plug broken.4.
Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition 5.
system.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
Connect spark plug wire properly. 1.
Clean spark plug.2.
Correct spark plug gap.3.
Replace spark plug wire and/or spark 4.
plug.
Have qualied technician diagnose/5.
repair ignition system.
COMPRESSION RELATED:
Cylinder not lubricated. Problem after 1.
long storage periods.
Loose or broken spark plug. (Hissing 2.
noise will occur when trying to start.)
Loose cylinder head or damaged head 3.
gasket. (Hissing noise will occur when
trying to start.)
Engine valves or tappets misadjusted 4.
or stuck.
COMPRESSION RELATED:
Pour tablespoon of oil into spark plug 1.
hole. Crank engine a few times and try
to start again.
Tighten spark plug. If that does not 2.
work, replace spark plug. If problem
persists, may have head gasket
problem, see #3 below.
Tighten head. If that does not remedy 3.
problem, replace head gasket.
Adjust valve clearance. If that does not 4.
work, clean or replace valves/tappets.

Follow all safety precautions whenever diagnosing or servicing the

equipment or engine.