SECTION 9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
Trouble |
| Possible Cause(s) |
| Corrective Action |
Engine fails to start | 1. | Blade control handle disengaged. | 1. | Engage blade control handle. |
| 2. | Start control button not depressed. | 2. | Depress starter control button. |
| 3. | Spark plug wire disconnected. | 3. | Connect wire to spark plug. |
| 4. | Safety key not in run position. | 4. | Place safety key in run position. |
| 5. | Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. | 5. | Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. |
| 6. | Blocked fuel line. | 6. | Clean fuel line. |
| 7. | Faulty spark plug. | 7. | Clean, adjust gap or replace. |
| 8. | Engine flooded. | 8. | Wait a few minutes to restart. Do not prime. |
| 9. | Self starter already | 9. | Use recoil starter to start engine |
Engine runs erratic | 1. | Spark plug wire loose. | 1. | Connect and tighten spark plug wire. |
| 2. | Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. | 2. | Clean fuel line; fill tank with 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. | Clean air cleaner. |
| 6. | Carburetor out of adjustment. | 6. | Adjust carburetor. |
Engine overheats | 1. | Engine oil level low. | 1. | Fill crankcase with proper oil. |
| 2. | Air flow restricted. | 2. | Remove blower housing and clean. |
| 3. | Carburetor not adjusted properly. | 3. | Adjust carburetor. |
Occasional skip | 1. | Spark plug gap too close. | 1. | Adjust gap to .030”. |
(hesitates) at high |
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speed |
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Idles poorly | 1. | Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too | 1. | Reset gap to.030” or replace spark plug. |
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| wide. |
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| 2. | Carburetor improperly adjusted. | 2. | Adjust carburetor. |
| 3. | Dirty air cleaner. | 3. | Clean air cleaner. |
Excessive vibration | 1. | Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. | 1. | Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade. |
| 2. | Bent cutting blade. | 2. | Replace blade. |
Mower will not mulch | 1. | Wet grass. | 1. | Wait until later to cut. |
grass | 2. | Excessively high grass. | 2. | Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow |
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| again at desired height or make a narrower |
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| cutting swath (1/2 width). |
| 3. | Dull blade. | 3. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
Uneven cut | 1. | Wheels not positioned correctly. | 1. | Place all four wheels in same height position. |
| 2. | Dull blade. | 2. | Sharpen or replace blade. |
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