SECTION 8: TROUBLESHOOTING
Trouble | Possible Cause(s) | Corrective Action | ||
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Engine fails to start | 1. | PTO lever/knob engaged. | 1. | Place PTO lever/knob in OFF position. |
| 2. | Parking brake not engaged. | 2. | Engage parking brake. |
| 3. | Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. | 3. | Connect wire(s) to spark plug. |
| 4. | Throttle control lever not in correct | 4. | Place throttle lever to CHOKE position. |
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| starting position. |
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| 5. | Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. | 5. | Fill tank with clean, fresh gas. |
| 6. | Blocked fuel line. | 6. | Clean fuel line or replace fuel filter, if so |
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| equipped. |
| 7. | Faulty spark plug. | 7. | Clean, adjust gap or replace plug. |
| 8. | Engine flooded. | 8. | Crank engine with throttle in FAST position. |
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Engine runs erratic | 1. | Unit running with CHOKE applied. | 1. | Place throttle lever in FAST position. |
| 2. | Spark plug wire loose. | 2. | Connect and tighten spark plug wire. |
| 3. | Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. | 3. | Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gas. |
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| Replace fuel filter, if so equipped. |
| 4. | Vent in gas cap plugged. | 4. | Clear vent or replace cap if damaged. |
| 5. | Water or dirt in fuel system. | 5. | Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh gas. |
| 6. | Dirty air cleaner. | 6. | Replace air cleaner cartridge or clean pre- |
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| cleaner, if so equipped. |
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Engine overheats | 1. | Engine oil level low. | 1. | Fill crankcase with proper capacity and weight of |
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| oil. |
| 2. | Air flow restricted. | 2. | Clean grass clippings and debris from around the |
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| engine’s cooling fins and blower housing. |
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Engine hesitates at high | 1. | Spark plug gap too close. | 1. | Remove spark plug(s) and reset the gap at .030”. |
RPM |
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Idles poorly | 1. | Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too | 1. | Replace spark plug(s). Set plug gap at .030”. |
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| wide. |
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| 2. | Dirty air cleaner. | 2. | Replace air cleaner cartridge or clean pre- |
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| cleaner, if so equipped. |
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Excessive vibration | 1. | Cutting blade loose, unbalanced or | 1. | Tighten blade and spindle, balance blade and/or |
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| damaged. |
| replace blade. |
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Mower will not mulch | 1. | Engine speed too low. | 1. | Place throttle in FAST (rabbit) position. |
grass | 2. | Wet grass. | 2. | Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to |
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| cut. |
| 3. | Excessively high grass. | 3. | Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow |
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| again at desired height or make a narrower |
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| cutting swath. |
| 4. | Dull blade. | 4. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
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Uneven cut | 1. | Deck not balanced properly. | 1. | Perform |
| 2. | Dull blade. | 2. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
| 3. | Uneven tire pressure. | 3. | Check tire pressure in all four tires. |
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NOTE: For unsolved problems and/or further details, visit www.mtdproducts.com or call the Customer Support Line at
25
