Troubleshooting
Problem
Possible Cause
Corrective Action
1. The fuel tank is empty or the fuel
system contains stale fuel.
1. Drain and/or fill the fuel tank with
fresh gasoline. If the problem persists,
contact an Authorized Service Dealer.
2. The fuel shut-off valve is closed.
2. Open the fuel shut-off valve.
3. The throttle lever is not in the correct
position.
3. Move the throttle lever to the Choke
position.
4. There is dirt, water, or stale fuel in the
fuel system.
4. Contact an Authorized Service Dealer.
5. The wire is not connected to the spark
plug.
5. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
6. The spark plug is pitted, fouled, or the
gap is incorrect.
6. Check the spark plug and adjust the
gap if necessary. Replace the spark
plug if it is pitted, fouled, or cracked.
The engine does not start.
7. There is dirt in the fuel filter.
7. Replace the fuel filter and clean the
in-tank filter screen.
1. The air filter element is dirty and is
restricting the air flow.
1. Clean the air filter pre-cleaner and/or
replace the paper filter.
2. The engine oil level is low or the oil is
dirty.
2. Check the engine oil. Change the oil if
it is dirty or add oil if it is low.
3. The fuel tank vent hose is plugged.
3. Clean or replace the fuel tank vent
hose.
4. There is dirt in the fuel filter.
4. Replace the fuel filter and clean the
in-tank filter screen.
5. There is dirt, water, or stale fuel in the
fuel system.
5. Contact an Authorized Service Dealer.
6. The underside of the machine housing
contains clippings and debris.
6. Clean the underside of the machine
housing.
The engine starts hard or loses power.
7. The spark plug is pitted, fouled, or the
gap is incorrect.
7. Check the spark plug and adjust the
gap if necessary. Replace the spark
plug if it is pitted, fouled, or cracked.
1. The wire is not securely connected to
the spark plug.
1. Connect the wire securely to the spark
plug.
2. The spark plug is pitted, fouled, or the
gap is incorrect.
2. Check the spark plug and adjust the
gap if necessary. Replace the spark
plug if it is pitted, fouled, or cracked.
3. The throttle lever is not in the Fast
position.
3. Move the throttle lever to the Fast
position.
4. The air filter element is dirty and is
restricting the air flow.
4. Clean the air filter pre-cleaner and/or
replace the paper filter.
The engine runs rough.
5. There is dirt in the fuel filter.
5. Replace the fuel filter and clean the
in-tank filter screen.
1. A blade is bent or is out of balance.
1. Balance the blade(s). If a blade is bent,
replace it.
2. A blade-mounting bolt is loose.
2. Tighten the blade-mounting bolts.
3. The underside of the machine housing
contains clippings and debris.
3. Clean the underside of the machine
housing.
4. The engine mounting bolts are loose.
4. Tighten the engine mounting bolts.
5. The engine pulley, idler pulley, or blade
pulley are loose.
5. Tighten the loose pulley.
6. The engine pulley is damaged.
6. Contact an Authorized Service Dealer.
7. The blade spindle is bent.
7. Contact an Authorized Service Dealer.
The machine or engine vibrates
excessively.
8. The belt is damaged.
8. Replace the belt.
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