Section 7 Troubleshooting
Problem
Engine will not start
14
Possible Causes
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/oil mixture.
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.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Spark plug cap not connected
securely.
2. Spark plug electrode wet or
dirty.
3. Incorrect spark plug gap.
4. Spark plug cap broken.
5. Incorrect spark timing or faulty
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.
Probable Solutions
FUEL RELATED:
1. Fill fuel tank with 87+ octane stabilizer-treated
unleaded gasoline/oil mixture and open fuel valve.
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/oil
mixture only.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol
(E15, E20, E85, etc.).
4. Use fresh 87+ octane stabilizer-treated unleaded
gasoline/oil mixture.
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. Connect spark plug cap properly.
2. Clean spark plug.
3. Correct spark plug gap.
4. Replace spark plug cap.
5. Have qualified technician diagnose/repair ignition
system.
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 adjust/repair valves and
tappets.
Owner's Manual for Petrol Generator