Troubleshooting
Problem | Possible Causes | Probable Solutions |
Engine will not start | FUEL RELATED: | FUEL RELATED: |
| 1. No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed. | 1. Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve. |
2.Choke not in CHOKE position, cold engine. 2. Move Choke to CHOKE position.
3.Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol used. 3. Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel
| (E15, E20, E85, etc.) |
| system. Replace components damaged |
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| by ethanol. Use fresh 87+ octane |
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| unleaded gasoline only. |
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| Do not use gasoline with more than |
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| 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.). |
4. | Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline. | 4. | Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline. |
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| Do not use gasoline with more than |
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| 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.). |
5. | Carburetor not primed. | 5. | Pull on Starter Handle to prime. |
6. | Dirty fuel passageways. | 6. | Clean out passageways using fuel additive. |
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| Heavy deposits may require further cleaning. |
7. | Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel | 7. | Gently tap side of carburetor float |
| can be smelled in the air. |
| chamber with screwdriver handle. |
8. | Too much fuel in chamber. This can be | 8. | Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark |
| caused by the carburetor needle sticking. |
| plug and pull the start handle several times |
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| to air out the chamber. Reinstall spark |
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| plug and set Choke to CHOKE position. |
9. | Clogged Fuel Filter. | 9. | Replace Fuel Filter. |
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED: | IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED: | ||
1. | Spark plug cap not connected securely. | 1. | Connect spark plug cap properly. |
2. | Spark plug electrode wet or dirty. | 2. | Clean spark plug. |
3. | Incorrect spark plug gap. | 3. | Correct spark plug gap. |
4. | Spark plug cap broken. | 4. | Replace spark plug cap. |
5. | Circuit breaker tripped (electric | 5. | Reset circuit breaker. Check wiring and |
| start models only). |
| starter motor if breaker continues to trip. |
6. | Incorrect spark timing or | 6. | Have qualified technician diagnose/ |
| faulty ignition system. |
| repair ignition system. |
COMPRESSION RELATED: | COMPRESSION RELATED: | ||
1. | Cylinder not lubricated. Problem after long | 1. | Pour tablespoon of oil into spark |
| storage periods. |
| plug hole. Crank engine a few |
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| times and try to start again. |
2. | Loose or broken spark plug. (Hissing noise | 2. | Tighten spark plug. If that does not work, |
| will occur when trying to start.) |
| replace spark plug. If problem persists, |
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| may have head gasket problem, see #3. |
3. | Loose cylinder head or damaged | 3. | Tighten head. If that does not remedy |
| head gasket. (Hissing noise will |
| problem, replace head gasket. |
| occur when trying to start.) |
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4. | Engine valves or tappets | 4. | Have qualified technician diagnose/ |
| mis‑adjusted or stuck. |
| repair ignition system. |
Follow all safety precautions whenever diagnosing or servicing the equipment or engine.
SAFETY
SETUP
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE
Item 69672 / 69674 | For Generator technical questions, please call | Page 17 |
For Engine technical questions, please call |