Troubleshooting Guide

ENGINE DOES NOT START OR HARD TO START

What To Check

 

Possible Cause

 

 

 

 

 

Engine hot/heat soaked.

Vaporlock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Low fuel quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valve adjustment.

 

 

 

Valve clearance too tight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valve clearance too loose.

 

 

 

 

 

Remedy

Let cool completely and restart.

Refill with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane of 89 or higher mixed with an air cooled engine oil that meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FD classified oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.

Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer. Adjust valves.

ENGINE DOES NOT START

What To Check

 

 

 

 

 

Possible Cause

 

 

 

Remedy

 

 

 

 

NO

 

 

Faulty recoil starter.

 

 

 

 

 

Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer.

Does the engine crank?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluid in the crankcase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internal damage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

 

Loose spark plug.

 

 

 

Tighten and re-test.

Good compression?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa

 

 

 

 

 

Excess wear on cylinder,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

piston, rings.

 

 

 

servicing dealer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

 

Fuel incorrect, stale, or

 

 

 

 

 

Refill with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline with a pump octane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does the tank contain fresh

 

 

 

 

contaminated; mixture incorrect.

 

 

 

 

 

of 89 or higher mixed with an air cooled engine oil that

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

meets or exceeds ISO-L-EGD and/or JASO FD classified oils

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fuel of the proper grade?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check for clogged fuel filter

 

 

 

Replace fuel filter or vent as required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is fuel visible and moving

 

 

NO

 

 

and/or vent.

 

 

 

Re-start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in the return line when

 

 

 

 

 

Priming pump not functioning properly.

 

 

 

Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

priming?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

servicing dealer.

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

 

The ignition switch is in

 

 

 

Move switch to “I” (ON) position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is there spark at the spark

 

 

 

 

“O” (OFF) position.

 

 

 

and re-start.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

plug wire terminal?

 

 

 

 

 

Shorted ignition ground.

 

 

 

Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

servicing dealer.

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faulty ignition unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the plug is wet, excess

 

 

 

See "Starting a Flooded Engine"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check the spark plug.

 

 

 

 

 

fuel may be in the cylinder.

 

 

 

Clean and gap the spark plug. Check the Specifications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plug is fouled or improperly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gapped.

 

 

 

section for the correct plug and gap for your unit. Restart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The plug is damaged internally

 

 

 

Replace the spark plug. Check the Specifications section for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or of the wrong size.

 

 

 

the correct plug and gap for your unit. Restart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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