DR Power 13 HP Towable - Manual (Page 48)

44 DR ® 13 HP CHIPPER
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE OR INSPECTION, STOP THE ENGINE, WAIT FIVE
(5) MINUTES TO ALLOW ALL MOVING PARTS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND COOL. DISCONNECT
THE SPARK PLUG WIRE, KEEPING IT AWAY FROM THE SPARK PLUG.
S YMPTOM P OSSIBLE C AUSE
The engine won’t
start using electric-
start.
(Please refer to the
Engine Owner’s
Manual for engine-
specific procedures.)
⇒ Have you checked all the items under the section called Electric Starting on page
22 and the previous section on Manual Starting?
⇒ Check the wiring behind the Key switch; it may have vibrated off the switch
terminals.
⇒ Check the wire connections - especially the ground connection, the large black wire
coming from the battery, where it connects to the engine.
⇒ Check the wire connections to the solenoid. Disconnect the black battery ground
wire first to avoid sparks. Check to be sure that all of the connections are clean
and tight. Reconnect the battery ground wire.
⇒ Check the ground connection on the solenoid where it is bolted to the frame.
Using a wrench or socket, tighten the bolts to ensure a good connection to the
frame.
⇒ Is your battery charged? Check the voltage yourself or at a gas station. If it is low,
charge it with a 12-volt, 1 to 2 Amp trickle charger. If you do not use your machine
for at least 45 minutes at a time, the battery may need to be periodically charged.
See the Battery Care section on page 40.
⇒ If your battery is charged and your DR CHIPPER still won’t start, call 1(800) DR-
OWNER (376-9637) for assistance.
The engine lacks
power or is not
running smoothly.
(Please refer to the
Engine Owner’s
Manual for engine-
specific procedures.)
⇒ Check the Throttle Lever travel and adjustment. Is the Throttle Lever in the Run
position?
⇒ Is the Choke lever all the way to the right (RUN position)? See page 19.
⇒ Is the air filter clean? If it is dirty, change it following the procedure on page 39.
⇒ Is the spark plug clean? If it is fouled or cracked, change it. If it’s oily, leave it out,
hold a rag over the spark plug hole and pull your recoil starter cord several times
(Manual Start model) or engage the Electric Starter for a few seconds (Electric
Start model) to blow out any oil in the cylinder, then wipe off the spark plug and
reinsert it.
⇒ Are you using fresh, clean unleaded gas? If it is old, change it. Use a fuel
stabilizer if you keep gas longer than one month.
⇒ Does your engine have the right amount of clean oil? If it is dirty, change it
following the procedure on page 29.
⇒
If your engine still lacks power, call 1(800) DR-OWNER (376-9637) for assistance.
Engine smokes. ⇒ Check the oil level and adjust as needed.
⇒ You may be operating on too great an incline. The machine should be level.
⇒ Check the air filter and clean or replace if needed.
⇒ You may be using the wrong oil - too light for the temperature. Refer to your
Engine Owner’s Manual for detailed information.
⇒ Clean the engine cooling fins and the carburetor housing if they are dirty.
⇒ If the engine still smokes, call 1(800) DR-OWNER (376-9637) for assistance.