MTD 050 thru 062 manual Trouble Shooting Guide, Possible Causes, Corrective Actions

SECTION 13: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

Trouble

Possible Cause(s)

Corrective Actions

Engine fails to	Blade control handle disengaged.	Engage blade control handle.
start	Spark plug wire disconnected.	Connect wire to spark plug.
	Dirty aircleaner.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
	Primer button not depressed.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
	Throttle control lever not in correct	Move throttle lever to FAST or START position.
	starting position (if so equipped).
	Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.	Fill tank with clean fresh gasoline. Fuel will not last over
		thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is used.
	Blocked fuel line (if so equipped).	Clean fuel line.
	Faulty spark plug.	Clean, adjust gap or replace.
	Engine flooded.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Engine runs	Unit running in START position.	Move throttle lever to FAST position.
erratic	Spark plug wire loose.	Connect and tighten spark plug wire. Check spark plug for
		fouling.
	Blocked fuel line (if so equipped) or	Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. Fuel will
	stale fuel.	not last over thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is added.
	Vent in gas cap plugged.	Clear vent or threads or replace.
	Water or dirt in fuel system.	Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
	Dirty air cleaner.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
	Carburetor out of adjustment.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Engine	Engine oil level low.	Fill crankcase with proper oil.
overheats	Dirty aircleaner.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
	Air flow restricted.	Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire. Remove blower
		housing and clean.
	Carburetor not adjusted properly.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit or see an
		authorized service dealer.*
Occasional	Spark plug gap too close.	Adjust gap to .030".
skip (hesitates)	Carburetor idle mixture adjustment	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
at high speed	improperly set.
Idles poorly	Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too	Reset gap to .030" or replace spark plug.
	wide.
	Carburetor improperly adjusted.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
	Dirty air cleaner.	Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Excessive	Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.	Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.
vibration	Bent cutting blade.	See an authorized service dealer.
Mower will not	Engine speed too low.	Set throttle between 3/4 and full throttle.
mulch grass	Wet grass.	Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut.
	Excessively high grass.	Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at
		desired height or make a narrower cutting swath (1/2 width).
Uneven cut	Wheels not positioned correctly.	Place all four wheels in same height position.
	Dull blade.	Sharpen or replace blade.
Wheels will not	Belt not installed properly.	Check belt for proper pulley installation and movement.
propel**	Debris clogging mechanism.	Clean out debris.

**Self-propelled models only

Note: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments above, contact your local authorized service dealer.

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