Troy-Bilt 31/2 HP - Manual (Page 45)

MAINTENANCE
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
ENGINE PROBLEMS
TROUBLE POSSIBLE PROBLEM SOLUTION
Engine does not start. Spark plug wire disconnected. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.
Engine Throttle Lever in STOP position. Move lever to correct starting position.
Engine flooded. Move Engine Throttle Lever to STOP. Pull recoil starter
rope several times. Move Engine Throttle Lever to
START & try to start engine again.
Fuel tank empty. Fill fuel tank.
Air cleaner elements(s) excessively dirty. Remove & clean air cleaner element(s).
Engine Throttle Lever improperly adjusted. Readjust Engine Throttle Lever.
NOTE: If you have an electric start mower that won’t start, please refer
to the electric start troubleshooting information at the end of this chart.
Engine does not start Engine appears to be frozen. Can
only pull recoil starter rope out a short distance.
Crankcase oil has seeped into cylinder, creating a
“liquid lock” situation.
Remove spark plug. Pull recoil starter rope several
times. Clean & reinstall spark plug. Check engine oil
level. Try to start engine again.
Engine runs poorly. Fouled spark plug. Remove, clean, check, (or replace), re-gap and reinstall
spark plug.
Excessively clogged air cleaner element(s). Remove & clean (or replace) air cleaner element(s).
Engine Throttle Lever mechanism not adjusted
correctly.
Check & readjust Engine Throttle Lever mechanism.
Carburetor is out of adjustment. Refer to Briggs & Stratton Operating & Maintenance
Instructions for adjustment procedures.
Stale fuel. Drain fuel tank. Add fresh fuel.
Black smoke comes out of muffler when engine is Excessively clogged air cleaner element(s). Remove, clean, (or replace), and reinstall element(s).
running.
Incorrect carburetor adjustment. Refer to Briggs & Stratton Operating & Maintenance
Instructions for adjustment procedures.
W hite smoke comes out of muffler when engine is
running.
Engine has too much oil in its crankcase. Check engine oil level. Adjust as necessary.
Mowing up and down a steep slope. (Oil can seep into
cylinder.)
Don’t mow steep slopes.
Mower was stored with nose up-oil seeped into
cylinder & is being burned.
W hen all oil in cylinder is burned up, engine exhaust
will be normal. Check oil level.
Engine overheats. Paint may be discolored on rear
of engine.
Air cooling system clogged. Clean recoil starter screen. Remove recoil shroud and
clean fins.
MOWER PROBLEMS
TROUBLE POSSIBLE PROBLEM SOLUTION
Uneven or poor cut. Dull or damaged blade sections. Replace any dull or damaged blade sections.
Blade guides not adjusted properly. Readjust blade guides.
Sloping cut. Height adjusters not set at equal heights. Re-set height adjusters.
Cutter bar does not oscillate when right-hand handlebar
lever is engaged (squeezed).
Too little tension on cutter bar cable. Readjust tension. [See Cutter Bar Drive Adjustment
(General).]
Broken or kinked cutter bar drive cable. Replace cutter bar drive cable.
Disconnected cutter bar drive engagement spring. Reconnect spring to end of idler arm/ end of blade
drive cable.
Broken or bent blade section or ledger plate. Replace bent blade section or ledger plate.
Object wedged in blade. Shut off engine. Remove wedged object.
Broken or worn blade drive engagement spring. Replace spring.
W orn or broken blade drive belt. Replace belt.
Cutter bar still oscillates when right-hand handlebar
lever is released.
Too much tension on cutter bar drive cable. Readjust tension on blade drive cable. [See “Cutter Bar
Drive (General)j.
Belt guide (on bottom of engine deck) has loosened or
is bent.
Securely tighten bolts that attach it to bottom of engine
deck. It guide is bent, replace it.
Broken or excessively worn idler return spring. Replace spring.
Kinked cutter bar drive cable. Replace cable.
Excessive hand pressure required to engage (squeeze)
handlebar lever.
Cable tension is too tight. Readjust cable tension. [Refer to “Cutter Bar Drive
(General) or to W heel Drive (General).]
Kinked cable. Replace cable.
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