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ITEM 59206
SAFETY
SETU
p
Op
ERA
TION
M
AINTENANCE
Troubleshooting
problem
possible Causes
probable Solutions
Engine will not start
FUEL RELATED:
1. No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed.
2. Choke not in START position, cold engine.
3. Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol used.
(E15, E20, E85, etc.)
4. Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline.
5. Carburetor not primed.
6. Dirty fuel passageways.
7. Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel
can be smelled in the air.
8. Too much fuel in chamber. This can be
caused by the carburetor needle sticking.
9. Clogged Fuel Filter.
FUEL RELATED:
1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane stabilizer
treated unleaded gasoline and open fuel valve.
Do not use gasoline with more than
10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
2. Move Choke to START position.
3. Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel
system. Replace components damaged by
ethanol. Use fresh 87+ octane stabilizer
treated unleaded gasoline only.
Do not use gasoline with more than
10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
4. Use fresh 87+ octane stabilizer treated
unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than
10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
5. Pull on Starter Handle to prime.
6. Clean out passageways using fuel additive.
Heavy deposits may require further cleaning.
7.
Gently
tap side of carburetor float
chamber with screwdriver handle.
8. Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark
plug and pull the start handle several times
to air out the chamber. Reinstall spark
plug and set Choke to START position.
9. Replace Fuel Filter.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Power Switch at OFF position.
2. Spark plug cap not connected securely.
3. Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.
4. Incorrect spark plug gap.
5. Spark plug cap broken.
6. Circuit breaker tripped (electric
start models only).
7. Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition system.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Turn Power Switch to ON.
2. Connect spark plug cap properly.
3. Clean spark plug.
4. Correct spark plug gap.
5. Replace spark plug cap.
6. Reset circuit breaker. Check wiring and
starter motor if breaker continues to trip.
7. Have qualified technician diagnose/
repair ignition system.
COMPRESSION RELATED:
1. Cylinder not lubricated. Problem
after long storage periods.
2. Loose or broken spark plug. (Hissing noise
will occur when trying to start.)
3. Loose cylinder head or damaged
head gasket. (Hissing noise will
occur when trying to start.)
4. Engine valves or tappets
mis-adjusted or stuck.
COMPRESSION RELATED:
1. Pour tablespoon of oil into spark plug hole.
Crank engine a few times and try to start again.
2. Tighten spark plug. If that does not work,
replace spark plug. If problem persists,
may have head gasket problem, see #3.
3. Tighten head. If that does not remedy
problem, replace head gasket.
4. Have qualified technician diagnose/
repair ignition system.
OIL RELATED:
1. Low engine oil.
2. Engine mounted on slope,
triggering low oil shutdown.
OIL RELATED:
1. Fill engine oil to proper level.
Check engine oil before EVERY use.
2. Operate engine on level surface.
Check engine oil level.
ELECTRIC START RELATED:
1. No Battery or defective battery installed.
2. Battery is low.
3. Electric start fuse (5A) is blown.
ELECTRIC START RELATED:
1. Install a new battery (see page 9).
2. Charge the battery.
3. Replace fuse with similar size fuse.
