Trouble Shooting - MTD Yard-Man 588 Operator's Manual

6
Trouble
Shooting
For repairs beyond
the minor adjustments
listed here, contact
an authorized service
dealer.
Problem
Engine fails to start
Engine runs erratic
Engine overheats
Occasional skips
(hesitates) at
high speed
Idles poorly
Excessive
Vibration
Mower will not
mulch grass
Uneven cut
Cause
1. Blade control disengaged.
2. Spark plug wire disconnected.
3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
4. Engine not primed.
5. Faulty spark plug.
6. Blocked fuel line.
7. Engine flooded.
1. Spark plug wire loose.
2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.
3. Vent in gas cap plugged.
4. Water or dirt in fuel system.
5. Dirty air cleaner.
6. Carburetor out of adjustment.
1. Engine oil level low.
2. Air flow restricted.
3. Carburetor not adjusted properly.
1. Spark plug gap too close.
2. Carburetor idle mixture adjustment
improperly set.
1. Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap
too wide.
2. Carburetor improperly adjusted.
3. Dirty air cleaner.
1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
2. Bent cutting blade.
1. Wet grass.
2. Excessively high grass.
3. Dull blade.
1. Wheels not positioned correctly.
2. Dull blade.
12
Remedy
1. Engage blade control.
2. Connect wire to spark plug.
3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
4. Prime engine as instructed in
"Operating Your Lawn Mower".
5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
6. Clean fuel line.
7. Wait a few minutes to restart, but
do not prime.
1. Connect and tighten spark
plug wire.
2. Clean fuel line; fill tank with clean,
fresh gasoline.
3. Clear vent.
4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with
fresh fuel.
5. Refer to engine manual.
6. Refer to engine manual.
1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Remove blower housing
and clean.
3. Refer to engine manual.
1. Adjust gap to .030".
2. Refer to engine manual.
1. Reset gap to .030" or replace
spark plug.
2. Refer to engine manual.
3. Refer to engine manual.
1. Tighten blade and adapter.
Balance blade.
2. See an authorized service dealer.
1. Do not mow when grass is wet;
wait until later to cut.
2. Mow once at a high cutting height,
then mow again at desired height
or make a narrower cutting path.
3. Sharpen or replace blade.
1. Place all four wheels in same
height position.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.