Section 5: Maintenance
17
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING
PROBLEM POSSIBLE
CAUSE
CORRECTION
Engine does not start.
1. Spark plug wire disconnected.
1. Reconnect wire.
2. Defective or incorrectly gapped spark plug.
2. Inspect/replace spark plug.
3. Fuel tank empty.
3. Add fuel.
4. Dirty carburetor or fuel line.
4. Clean carburetor or fuel line.
5. Dirty air cleaner.
5. Clean or replace.
6. Carburetor out of adjustment.
6. Adjust carburetor. See Engine Service Dealer.
7. Engine flooded.
7. Wait several minutes before starting.
8. Engine Throttle Lever in incorrect position.
8. Move Throttle Lever to FAST position.
9. Stale gasoline.
9. Drain old fuel and add fresh fuel.
10. Defective Engine Throttle Lever.
10. See Engine Service Dealer.
11. Dirt or water in fuel tank.
11. See Engine Service Dealer.
Engine runs poorly.
1. Bad spark plug.
1. Inspect/replace spark plug.
2. Dirty air filter.
2. Clean or replace.
3. Carburetor out of adjustment.
3. Adjust carburetor. See Engine Service Dealer.
4. Stale fuel.
4. Drain and replace fuel mixture.
5. Dirt or water in fuel tank.
5. See Engine Service Dealer.
6. Engine cooling system clogged.
6. Clean fins.
Engine overheats.
1. Engine cooling system clogged.
1. Clean air cooling areas and behind debris shield.
2. Carburetor out of adjustment.
2. Adjust Carburetor. See Engine Service Dealer.
Engine does not shut off.
Throttle control misadjusted.
See Engine Service Dealer.
.
Poor mowing performance.
1. Line length is too short or too long.
1. Adjust line length to 18" long. When less
than 1/2 this length, replace the line.
2. Cutting height is too high or low for height
2. Adjust cutting height to approximately 1/3
of grass being cut.
of the length of the grass.
3. Engine not set at FAST speed.
3. Move Engine Throttle Lever to FAST (Rabbit).
Trimmer/Mower vibrates.
1. Trimming head mounting bolt loose.
1. Tighten bolt.
2. Line lengths are substantially different.
2. Adjust lines to approximately equal lengths.
3. Loose nuts or bolts.
3. Check all bolts and nuts, including engine bolts.
4. Broken spindle head or trimmer head.
4. Replace broken part.
Trimmer head does not
Incorrect line installation for mowing conditions.
See Changing Trimmer Lines in Section 5.
retain line.
Trimmer Head does not
1. Head bolts may be loose.
1. Tighten head bolts to 75 in/lbs.
retain height setting.
2. Head is worn.
2. Replace head assembly.
Electric Starter does not
1. Wires to battery unconnected.
1. Reconnect wires.
start engine (electric start
2. Battery not charged.
2. Charge battery.
models only).
3. Broken wire in wiring harness.
3. Replace wiring harness.
4. Malfunctioning starter motor.
4. Contact local engine dealer.
Battery does not charge
1. Broken wire in engine recharging circuit.
1. See Engine Service Dealer.
during engine operation
2. Malfunctioning engine recharging system.
2. See Engine Service Dealer.
(electric start models).
3. Dead battery.
3. Replace battery.
Battery charger does not
1. Broken battery lead.
1. Replace battery lead.
charge battery (electric
2. Broken battery charger wire.
2. Replace battery charger.
start models).
3. Dead battery.
3. Replace battery.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Before performing any of the corrections in this Troubleshooting Chart, refer to the appropriate information contained in this
Manual or the Engine Owner’s Manual for the correct safety precautions and servicing procedures. Contact your local autho-
rized Engine Service Dealer for engine service. Contact your local authorized dealer for service problems with the machine.
