Troubleshooting
7
14
Engine fails to start
1. Blade control disengaged.
2. Spark plug boot disconnected.
3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
4. Engine not primed (if equipped with primer).
5. Faulty spark plug.
6. Blocked fuel line.
7. Engine flooded.
1. Engage blade control.
2. Connect wire to spark boot.
3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
4. Prime engine as instructed in the Engine
Operator’s Manual.
5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
6. Clean fuel line.
7. Wait a few minutes to restart; do not
prime.
Engine fails to start with
electric starter
(Electric Start Units Only)
1. Electric Starter Push Key not fully inserted.
2. Battery not charged.
3. Circuit breaker tripped.
1. Insert Electric Starter Push Key into starter
housing until it snaps into place.
2. Charge battery.
3. Debris may be blocking blade operation.
Stop engine, remove Electric Starter Push
Key, and disconnect spark plug boot. Verify
grass or other debris are not obstructing
the blade. Carefully clean out debris if
necessary. Reattach spark plug boot and
reinsert Electric Starter Push Key. Wait one
minute after tripping for circuit breaker to
automatically self-reset then reattempt start.
Engine runs erratic
1. Spark plug boot loose.
2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.
3. Vent in gas cap plugged.
4. Water or dirt in fuel system.
5. Dirty air cleaner.
6. Unit running with CHOKE (if equipped)
applied.
1. Connect and tighten spark plug boot.
2. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh
gasoline.
3. Clear vent.
4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
5. Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual.
6. Push CHOKE knob in.
Engine overheats
1. Engine oil level low.
2. Air flow restricted.
1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Clean area around and on top of engine.
Occasional skips
at
(hesitates)
high speed
1. Spark plug gap too close.
1. Adjust spark plug gap. Refer to Engine
Operator’s Manual.
Problem
Cause
Remedy
Idles poorly
1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide.
2. Dirty air cleaner.
1. Reset gap or replace spark plug.
2. Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual.
Excessive vibration/noise
1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
2. Bent/damaged blade or blade adapter.
1. Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.
2. See an authorized service dealer.
Mower will not
mulch grass (if equipped)
1. Wet grass.
2. Excessively high grass.
3. Dull blade.
1. Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until
dry to cut.
2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then
mow again at desired height or make a
narrower cutting path.
3. Sharpen or replace blade.
