14

Troubleshooting,Adjustment, & Service

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY

Engine will not turnover or start. 1. PTO lever in the engaged position. Place in disengaged position.
2. Out of fuel. If the engine is hot, allow it to cool, then refill the
fuel tank.
3. Engine flooded. Disengage choke.
4. Battery terminals require cleaning. See Battery Maintenance Section.
5. Clogged fuel filter. Turn off fuel and replace filter.
6. Battery discharged or dead. Recharge or replace.
7. Wiring loose or broken. Visually check wiring & replace broken or frayed
wires. Tighten loose connections.
8. Solenoid or starter motor faulty. See your dealer.
9. Safety interlock switch faulty See your dealer.
10. Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled or Clean and gap or replace. See engine manual.
incorrectly gapped.
11. Water in fuel. Drain fuel & refill with fresh fuel. Replace fuel filter.
12. Gas is old or stale. Drain fuel & refill with fresh fuel. Replace fuel filter.
Engine will not stay running while 1. Safety bar on handlebar assembly Press and hold safety bar wile operating unit
operating machine released with blade clutch engaged.
2. Safety bar not fully depressing See your dealer.
safety switch.
3. Choke staying on. Throttle down slightly after starting to disengage
automatic choke.
4. Low or no fuel. Add fuel.
5. Fuel valve shut off. Turn fuel valve on.
Engine starts hard or runs poorly. 1. Fuel mixture too rich. Clean air filter. Check choke adjustment
2. Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled, Clean and gap or replace. See engine manual.
or incorrectly gapped.
3. Choke engaged. Throttle down slightly after starting to disengage
automatic choke.
4. Fuel filter dirty. Replace fuel filter.
5. Air filter dirty. Replace air filter.
Engine knocks. 1. Low oil level. Check/add oil as required.
2. Using wrong grade oil. See engine manual.
Excessive oil consumption. 1. Engine running too hot. Clean engine fins, blower screen and air cleaner.
2. Using wrong weight oil. See engine manual.
3. Too much oil in crankcase. Drain excess oil.
Engine exhaust is black. 1. Dirty air filter. Replace air filter. See engine manual.
2. Choke closed. Open choke.
Engine runs, but mower will 1. Traction drive control not engaged. Engage traction drive control.
not drive. 2. Drive belt is broken. See Drive Belt Replacement.
3. Drive belt slips. See cause and remedy below.
Engine stalls easily with 1. Engine speed too slow. Set to full throttle.
mower engaged. 2. Ground speed too fast. Slow down.
3. Carburetor improperly adjusted. See Engine Manual.
4. Cutting height set too low. Cut tall grass at maximum cutting height during
first pass.
5. Discharge chute jamming with Cut grass with discharge pointing toward
cut grass. previously cut area.
6. Engine not up to operating Run engine for several minutes to warm-up.
temperature.
7. Starting mower in tall grass. Start the mower in a cleared area.