SECTION 11: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
Trouble | Possible Cause(s) | Corrective Action |
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Engine fails to start | PTO switch engaged. | Disengage PTO switch. |
| Brake pedal not engaged. | Engage brake pedal. |
| Spark plug wire disconnected. | Connect wire to spark plug. |
| Throttle control lever not in correct | Move throttle lever to FAST or START posi- |
| starting position. | tion. |
| Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. | Fill tank with clean, fresh (not over 30 days) |
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| gasoline. |
| Blocked fuel line. | Clean fuel line. |
| Faulty spark plug. | Clean, adjust gap or replace. |
| Engine flooded. | Crank engine with throttle in FAST position. |
Engine runs erratic | Unit running in START position. | Move throttle lever to FAST position. |
| Choke lever toward ON position. | Push choke lever to OFF position. |
| Spark plug wire loose. | Connect and tighten spark plug wire. |
| Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. | Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh (not |
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| over 30 days) gasoline. |
| Vent in gas cap plugged. | Clear vent. |
| Water or dirt in fuel system. | Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel. |
| Dirty air cleaner. | Clean air cleaner. |
Engine overheats | Engine oil level low. | Fill crankcase with proper oil. |
| Air flow restricted. | Remove blower housing and clean. |
| *Lack of coolant. | *Add coolant to the correct level. |
| *Clogged cooling system. | *See your authorized engine service dealer. |
Occasional skip (hesitates) at | Spark plug gap too close. | Adjust gap to .030”. |
high speed |
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Idles poorly | Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too | Reset gap to .030” or replace spark plug. |
| wide. |
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| Dirty air cleaner. | Clean air cleaner. |
Excessive vibration | Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. | Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade. |
| Bent cutting blade. | Replace blade. |
Mower will not mulch grass | Engine speed too low. | Set throttle at full throttle. |
| Wet grass. | Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until |
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| later to cut. |
| Excessively high grass. | Mow once at a high cutting height, then |
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| mow again at desired height or make a nar- |
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| rower cutting swath (1/2 width). |
| Dull blade. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
Uneven cut | Wheels not positioned correctly. | Place all four wheels in same height posi- |
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| tion. |
| Dull blade. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
| Uneven tire pressure. | Equal tire pressure in all four wheels. |
* Liquid cooled models only. |
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