Troubleshooting - MTD 609 Operator's Manual

SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING
Trouble
Eng ne fa s to start
Engine runs erratic
Engine overheats
Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action
PTO engaged.
Parking brake not engaged.
Spark plug wire(s) disconnected.
Throttlecontrol lever not in correct
starting position.
Choke not activated
I
Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel.
Blocked fuel line.
Faulty spark plug.
Engine flooded.
Unit running with CHOKE applied.
Place PTO knob (or lever) in disengaged (OFF)
position.
Engage parking brake.
Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s).
Place throttle lever to FAST position.
Pull out the CHOKE control (if so equipped) or place the
throttle control in CHOKE position.
Fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) gas.
Clean fuel line or replace fuel filter, if so equipped.
Clean, adjust gap or replace plug.
Crank engine with throttle in FAST position.
Push CHOKE control (if so equipped) in, or move the
Ithrottlecontrol out of the CHOKE position.
Spark plug wire(s) loose. ,Connect and tighten spark plug wire(s).
Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30
,days old) gasoline. Replace fuel filter, if so equipped.
'Vent in gas cap plugged. Clear vent or replace cap if damaged.
i Water or dirt in fuel system. Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh (less than 30
Engine oil level low. days old) gasoline.
Dirty air cleaner. Rep ace air cleaner cartridge/element or clean pre-
Icleaeer, if so equipped.
Fill crankcase with proper capacity and weight of oil.
Clean grass clippings and debris from around the
A r f ow restricted.
_ engine's cooling fins and blower housing.
Engine hesitates at high RPM_Spark plug(s) gap oo c ose _Rer:n_) an_l_egap.
Idles poorly !Spark plug(s) fouled, faulty or gap too IReplace spark plug(_). Set plug(_ i gapZ
wide. /
Replace air cleaner cartridge/element or clean
Dirty air cleaner, pre-
Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. !cleaner, if so equipped.
Excessive vibration 'Tighten blade and spindle. Balance blade.
Damaged or bent cutting blade. R__pfaceblade.
Mower will not mulch grass Engine speed too low. Place throttle control in FAST (rabbit) position.
Wet grass. Donot mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut.
Excessively high grass. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at
desired height or make a narrower cutting swath.
Dull blade. :Sharpen or replace blade.
Uneven cut Deck not balanced properly Perform side-to-side deck adjustment.
Dull blade. Sharpen or replace blade.
Uneven tire pressure. Check tire pressure in all four tires.
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