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SECTION 9: TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
NOTE: For repairs beyond the minor adjustments above, contact your local authorized service dealer
or call Customer Service at 1(330) 220-4MTD or 1(800)800-7310.
Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Actions
Engine fails to
start
1. Blade control handle disengaged.
2. Spark plug wire disconnected.
3. Dirty aircleaner.
4. Primer button not depressed.
5. Throttle control lever (if so equipped) not
in correct starting position .
6. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
7. Blocked fuel line
8. Faulty spark plug.
9. Engine flooded.
1. Engage blade control handle.
2. Connect wire to spark plug.
3. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
4. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
5. Move throttle lever to FAST or START position.
6. Fill tank with clean fresh gasoline. Fuel will not last
over thirty days unless a fuel stabilizer is used.
7. Clean fuel line.
8. Clean, adjust gap or replace.
9. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Engine runs
erratic
1. Unit running in START position.
2. Spark plug wire loose.
3. Blocked fuel line (if so equipped) or stale
fuel.
4. Vent in gas cap plugged.
5. Water or dirt in fuel system.
6. Dirty air cleaner.
7. Carburetor out of adjustment.
1. Move throttle lever to FAST position.
2. Connect and tighten spark plug wire. Check spark
plug for fouling.
3. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
Fuel will not last over thirty days unless a fuel
stabilizer is added.
4. Clear vent or threads or replace.
5. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
6. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
7. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Engine
overheats
1. Engine oil level low.
2. Dirty aircleaner.
3. Air flow restricted.
4. Carburetor not adjusted properly.
1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
3. Stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire. Remove
blower housing and clean.
4. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit or
see an authorized service dealer.
Occasional
skip (hesitates)
at high speed
1. Spark plug gap too close.
2. Carburetor idle mixture adjustment
improperly set.
1. Adjust gap to .030".
2. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Idles poorly 1. Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too wide.
2. Carburetor improperly adjusted.
3. Dirty air cleaner.
1. Reset gap to .030" or replace spark plug.
2. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
3. Refer to the engine manual packed with your unit.
Excessive
vibration
1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
2. Bent cutting blade.
1. Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.
2. See an authorized service dealer.
Mower will not
mulch grass
1. Engine speed too low.
2. Wet grass.
3. Excessively high grass.
1. Set throttle between 3/4 and full throttle.
2. Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut.
3. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at
desired height or make a narrower cutting swath (1/2
width).
Uneven cut 1. Wheels not positioned correctly.
2. Dull blade.
1. Place all four wheels in same height position.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.