3-48
Troubleshooting
Problem: Engine will not start or is hard to start (Compression too low)
Condition
Remedy
1.
Valve clearance
out of adjustment
2.
Valve guides
worn - seated poorly
3.
Valves
mistimed
4.
Piston rings
worn - broken
5.
Cylinder bore
worn
6.
Starter motor
cranks too slowly - does not turn
1. Adjust clearance
2. Repair - replace guides
3. Replace camshaft
4. Replace rings
5. Replace - rebore cylinder
6. See Section 5
Problem: Engine will not start or is hard to start (No spark)
Condition
Remedy
1.
Spark plug
fouled
2.
Spark plug
wet
3.
Magneto
defective
4.
CDI unit/ECU
defective
5.
Ignition coil
defective
6.
High-tension lead
open - shorted
1. Clean - replace plug
2. Clean - dry plug
3. Replace magneto
4. Replace CDI unit/ECU
5. Replace ignition coil
6. Replace high tension lead
Problem: Engine will not start or is hard to start (No fuel reaching the carburetor/fuel injector)
Condition
Remedy
1.
Gas tank vent hose
obstructed
2.
Carburetor float valve
defective (Prowler/XT)
3.
Fuel hose
obstructed
4.
Fuel screens
obstructed
5.
Fuel pump
defective
1. Clean vent hose
2. Replace valve
3. Clean - replace hose
4. Clean - replace inlet screen - valve screen
5. Replace fuel pump
Problem: Engine stalls easily
Condition
Remedy
1.
Spark plug
fouled
2.
Magneto
defective
3.
CDI unit/ECU
defective
4.
Carburetor jets/fuel injector
obstructed
5.
Valve clearance
out of adjustment
1. Clean - replace plug
2. Replace magneto
3. Replace CDI unit/ECU
4. Clean jets/replace fuel injector
5. Adjust clearance
Problem: Engine noisy (Excessive valve chatter)
Condition
Remedy
1.
Valve clearance
excessive
2.
Valve spring(s)
weak - broken
3.
Rocker arm
-
rocker arm shaft
worn
4.
Camshaft
worn
1. Adjust clearance
2. Replace spring(s)
3. Replace arm - shaft
4. Replace camshaft
Problem: Engine noisy (Noise seems to come from piston)
Condition
Remedy
1.
Piston - cylinder
worn
2.
Combustion chamber carbon
buildup
3.
Piston pin - piston pin bore
worn
4.
Piston rings - ring groove(s)
worn
1. Replace - service piston - cylinder
2. Clean chamber
3. Replace - service pin - bore
4. Replace rings - piston
Back to TOC
Back to Section TOC
Next
Back