19
Troubleshooting Guide
Vaporlock. Engine hot/heat soaked.
Low fuel quality.
Let cool completely and restart.
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils
at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.
What To Check Possible Cause Remedy
ENGINE DOES NOT START OR HARD TO START
NO
NO
NO
NO
Does the engine crank?
Good compression?
Does the tank contain fresh
fuel of the proper grade?
Is fuel visible and moving
in the return line when
priming?
Is there spark at the spark
plug wire terminal?
Check the spark plug.
Faulty recoil starter.
Fluid in the crankcase.
Internal damage.
Loose spark plug.
Excess wear on cylinder,
piston, rings.
Fuel incorrect, stale, or
contaminated; mixture incorrect.
Check for clogged fuel fi lter
and/or vent.
Priming pump not functioning properly.
The ignition switch is in
“O” (OFF) position.
Shorted ignition ground.
Faulty ignition unit.
If the plug is wet, excess
fuel may be in the cylinder.
The plug is fouled or improperly
gapped.
The plug is damaged internally
or of the wrong size.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer.
Tighten and re-test.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils
at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.
Replace fuel fi lter or vent as required.
Re-start.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Move switch to “I” (ON) position
and re-start.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
See "Starting a Flooded Engine"
Clean and gap the spark plug. Check the Specifi cations
section for the correct plug and gap for your unit. Restart.
Replace the spark plug. Check the Specifi cations section for
the correct plug and gap for your unit. Restart.
NO
YES
What To Check Possible Cause Remedy
ENGINE DOES NOT START
YES
YES
YES
YES
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS
Poor acceleration.
Clogged air fi lter.
Clogged fuel fi lter.
Lean fuel/air mixture.
Idle speed set too low.
Ignition switch turned off.
Fuel tank empty.
Water in the fuel.
Clogged fuel fi lter.
Shorted spark plug or loose terminal.
Ignition failure.
Piston seizure.
Ground (stop) wire is disconnected,
or switch is defective.
Overheating due to incorrect spark plug.
Overheated engine.
Clean the air fi lter.
Replace the fuel fi lter.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Adjust idle. Check Specifi cations page for correct idle speed.
Reset the switch and re-start.
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils
at 50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.
Replace fuel fi lter.
Clean or replace spark plug. Check the Specifi cations section
for the correct plug and gap for your unit. Tighten
the terminal.
Replace the ignition unit.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Test and replace as required.
Replace the spark plug. Check the Specifi cations section for
the correct plug and gap for your unit. Restart.
Idle engine until cool.
Symptom Possible Cause Remedy
Engine stops abruptly.
Engine diffi cult to shut off.
Troubleshooting Guide (continued)
Is the engine overheating?
Engine is rough at all
speeds. May also have
black smoke and/or
unburned fuel at the
exhaust.
Operator is overworking the unit.
Carburetor mixture is too lean.
Improper fuel ratio.
Fan, fan cover, cylinder fi ns dirty
or damaged.
Carbon deposits on the piston or
in the muffl er.
Clogged air cleaner element.
Loose or damaged spark plug.
Air leakage or clogged fuel line.
Water in the fuel.
Piston seizure.
Faulty carburetor and/or diaphragm.
Overheating condition.
Improper fuel.
Carbon deposits in the
combustion chamber.
Use a lower throttle setting.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils at 50:1
gasoline/oil ratio.
Clean, repair or replace as necessary.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Service the air cleaner element.
Tighten or replace the spark plug.
Check the Specifi cations section for the correct plug and gap
for your unit.
Repair or replace fuel fi lter and/or
fuel line.
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils at 50:1
gasoline/oil ratio.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing dealer.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
Refi ll 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 classifi ed oils at 50:1
gasoline/oil ratio.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa
servicing dealer.
What To Check Possible Cause Remedy
LOW POWER OUTPUT
Engine is knocking.
Troubleshooting Guide (continued)
Engine idle too high.
Broken clutch spring or worn clutch
spring boss.
Loose attachment holder.
Warped or damaged attachment.
Loose gearcase.
Cutting attachment
moves at engine idle.
Excessive vibration.
Cutting attachment will not
move.
Adjust idle. Check Specifi cations page for correct idle
speed.
Replace spring/shoes as required, check idle speed.
Inspect and re-tighten holders securely.
Inspect and replace attachment as
required.
Tighten gearcase securely.
Bent main shaft/worn or damaged bushings.
Shaft not installed in powerhead or gearcase.
Broken shaft.
Damaged gearcase.
Inspect and replace as necessary.
Inspect and reinstall as required.
Idle set too high. Adjust idle. Check Specifi cations page for correct
idle speed.
Engine will not idle
down. Engine has an air leak.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing
dealer.
Consult with an authorized Shindaiwa servicing
dealer.