Systemic Check; Check Ignition - Briggs & Stratton 083100 Manual

Most complaints concerning engine operation can be
classified as one or a combination of the following:
• Will not start
• Hard starting
• Lack of power
• Runs rough
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• Vibration
• Overheating
• High oil consumption
What appears to be a problem with the engine may actually
be the fault of the equipment. Following is a list of some
common engine symptoms and their relationship to
equipment problems.
No Start - Hard Start
• Loose belt or blade
• Cranking under load
• Misadjusted controls
• Interlock system malfunction
Engine Will Not Stop
• Equipment stop switch not functioning
• Engine ground wire damaged or disconnected
Vibration
• Bent cutter blades
• Loose spindles and couplings
• Bent/broken deck or weldments
• Bent crankshaft
• Loose equipment mounting bolts
• Damaged or worn belts and pulleys
• Out of balance impeller
Power Loss
• Bind or drag in moving parts of equipment
• Grass build-up under deck
• No lubrication in equipment gear box
• Excessive belt tension
Once equipment sources are ruled out, the cause for most
of these symptoms can be determined by performing a
systems check in the following order:
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SYSTEMIC CHECK

1. Ignition
2. Carburetion
3. Compression
This check-up can usually be completed in a matter of
minutes and is the quickest and most reliable method of
determining the cause of such problems.

Check Ignition

Engine Stopped
With spark plug installed, connect Ignition Tester #19368
to spark plug lead and connect ground wire to a good
ground on the engine. Pull the starter rope or activate the
electric starter (if equipped). If spark jumps the tester gap,
you may assume the ignition system is functioning
satisfactorily.
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Engine Running
If engine runs but misses during operation, a quick check
to determine whether the ignition is at fault can be made by
installing Ignition Tester #19368 between the spark plug
lead and spark plug. If spark is good but engine misses,
install a new spark plug.
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