Troubleshooting

8

 

 

 

Problem

 

Cause

 

Remedy

 

 

 

 

 

Engine fails to start

1.

PTO/Blade Engage lever engaged.

1.

Place lever in disengaged (OFF) position.

 

2.

Parking brake not engaged.

2.

Engage parking brake.

 

3.

Spark plug wire disconnected.

3.

Connect wire to spark plug.

 

4.

Throttle/Choke control lever not in correct

4.

Place Throttle/Choke lever to FAST position.

 

 

starting position.

 

 

 

5.

Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel.

5.

Fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days

 

 

 

 

old) gas.

 

6.

Blocked fuel line.

6.

Clean fuel line and replace fuel filter.

 

7.

Faulty spark plug.

7.

Clean, adjust gap or replace plug.

 

8.

Engine flooded.

8.

Crank engine with throttle in FAST position.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine runs erratic

1.

Tractor running with Choke activated.

1.

Move the Throttle/Choke control lever out of

 

 

 

 

the choke position.

 

2.

Spark plug wires loose.

2.

Connect and tighten spark plug wires.

 

3.

Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.

3.

Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh

 

 

 

 

gasoline and replace fuel filter.

 

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

 

 

 

 

gasoline.

 

6.

Dirty air cleaner.

6.

Replace air cleaner paper element or clean

 

 

 

 

foam precleaner.

Engine overheats

1.

Engine oil level low.

1.

Fill crankcase with proper amount and

 

 

 

 

weight of oil.

 

2.

Air flow restricted.

2.

Clean grass clippings and debris from around

 

 

 

 

the engine’s cooling fins and blower housing.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine hesitates at high

1.

Spark plug gap too close.

1.

Remove spark plug and reset the gap.

RPM

 

 

 

 

Engine Idles rough

1.

Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too wide.

1.

Replace spark plug. Set plug gap.

 

2.

Dirty air cleaner.

2.

Replace air cleaner element and/or clean

 

 

 

 

pre-cleaner.

 

 

 

 

 

Excessive vibration

1.

Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.

1.

Tighten blade and spindle.

 

2.

Damaged or bent cutting blade.

2.

Replace blade.

 

 

 

 

 

Mower will not mulch grass

1.

Engine speed too low.

1.

Place Throttle/Choke control in FAST (rabbit)

 

 

 

 

position.

 

2.

Wet grass.

2.

Do not mulch when grass is wet.

 

3.

Excessively high grass.

3.

Mow once at a high cutting height, then

 

 

 

 

mow again at desired height or make a

 

 

 

 

narrower cutting swath.

 

4.

Dull blade.

4.

Sharpen or replace blade.

 

 

 

 

 

Uneven cut

1.

Deck not leveled properly.

1.

Perform side-to-side deck adjustment.

 

2.

Dull blade.

2.

Sharpen or replace blade.

 

3.

Uneven tire pressure.

3.

Check tire pressure in all four tires.

29