Troubleshooting

8

 

 

 

Problem

 

Cause

 

Remedy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engine Fails to start

1.

Blade control disengaged.

1.

Engage blade control.

 

2.

Spark plug boot disconnected.

2.

Connect wire to spark boot.

 

3.

Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.

3.

Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.

 

4.

Engine not primed (if equipped with primer).

4.

Prime engine as instructed in the Operation

 

 

 

 

section.

 

5.

Faulty spark plug.

5.

Clean, adjust gap, or replace.

 

6.

Blocked fuel line.

6.

Clean fuel line.

 

7.

Engine flooded.

7.

Wait a few minutes to restart, but do not

 

 

 

 

prime.

 

8.

Fuel valve (if equipped) closed.

8.

Open fuel valve. See engine manual.

 

9.

Engine not choked (if equipped with choke).

9.

Choke engine. See engine manual.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine runs erratic

1.

Spark plug boot loose.

1.

Connect and tighten spark plug boot.

 

2.

Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.

2.

Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh

 

 

 

 

gasoline.

 

3.

Vent in gas cap plugged.

3.

Clear vent.

 

4.

Water or dirt in fuel system.

4.

Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.

 

5.

Dirty air cleaner.

5.

Refer to engine manual.

 

6.

Unit running with CHOKE (if equipped)

6.

Push CHOKE knob in.

 

 

applied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engine overheats

1.

Engine oil level low.

1.

Fill crankcase with proper oil.

 

2.

Air flow restricted.

2.

Clean area around and on top of engine.

 

 

 

 

 

Occasional skips

1.

Spark plug gap too close.

1.

Adjust gap to .030”.

(hesitates) at

 

 

 

 

high speed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Idles poorly

1.

Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide.

1.

Reset gap to .030” or replace spark plug.

 

2.

Dirty air cleaner.

2.

Refer to engine manual.

 

 

 

 

 

Excessive Vibration

1.

Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.

1.

Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.

 

2.

Bent cutting blade.

2.

See an authorized service dealer.

 

 

 

 

 

Mower will not

1.

Wet grass.

1.

Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until

mulch grass †

 

 

 

later to cut.

 

2.

Excessively high grass.

2.

Mow once at a high cutting height, then

 

 

 

 

mow again at desired height or make a

 

 

 

 

narrower cutting path.

 

3.

Dull blade.

3.

Sharpen or replace blade.

 

 

 

 

 

Uneven cut

1.

Wheels not positioned correctly.

1.

Place front and rear wheels in same height

 

 

 

 

position. (Dual lever height adjusters only)

 

2.

Dull blade.

2.

Sharpen or replace blade.

 

 

 

 

 

† If Applicable

18