Troubleshooting; Will Not Start; Hard To Start; Engine Misses Or Lacks Power - Craftsman 917.255813 Owner's Manual

TROUBLE SHOOTING
POSSIBLE CAUSE
WI LL NOT START
ClutchoBrake Pedal in drive position
Attachment Clutch Lever in "ENGAGED" position
No gasoline in Fuel Tank or clogged Fuel Line or Fuel
Filter
Blown Fuse
Dead Battery
Defective Ignition or loose Wiring
Spark Plug fouled
POSSIBLE REMEDY
Push Pedal into brake position (Fig 8).
Move Lever to "DISENGAGED" position (Fig, 9)
FIll Tank with fresh Gasoline Check Fuel Fflter (Fig,, 36}
and Carburetor (clean if necessary)
Check for fault and replace Fuse
Recharge or replace Battery
Check Wiring
Replace Spark Plug and adjust gap (Fig 34)
HARD TO START
Choked improperly, flooded Engine
Clogged Fuel Tank, Fuel Line or Fuel Filter
Spark Plug fouled
Defective Battery
Defective Ignition or loose wiring
Water in gasoline or old fuel
Improper Carburetor adjustment
Poor compression
ENGINE MISSES OR LACKS POWER
Engine overloaded
Clogged Fuel Fitter
Clogged Fuel Tank
Partially plugged Air Cleaner
Improper Carburetor adjustment
Dirty Air Screen
Low oil level
Spark Plug fouled, improper gap or wrong type
Faulty ignition
Poor compression
Gasoline in oil
Dirty Air Cleaner
ENGINE OVERHEATS
Dirty Air Screen
Low oil level
Dirty Engine
Partially plugged Muffler
Place Throttle Control in fast position (Fig. 9) and with
choke pushed in run starter several times to clean out gas
Remove and clean° Replace Filter (Fig, 36)
Replace Spark Plug and adiust gap (Fig° 34)
Recharge or replace
Check the wiring and Spark PLug
Drain Fuel Tank and Carburetor, use fresh fuel and
replace Spark Plug
Make necessary adjustments (page 17)
Major enginp overhaul
Shift to a lower gear or reduce load
Remove and replace (Fig 36)
Remove and clean
Remove and clean (Fig, 29}
Make necessary adjustments (page 17)
Clean Air Screen, Cooling Fins (Fig 33} and Muffler
Add or change oil (page 14)
Replace Spark Plugs and adjust gap (Fig, 34)
Check Spark Plugs and for any loose wires
Major Engine overhaul
Drain Engine oil and refill
Remove and cl_an (Fig. 29)
Clean Air Screen (Fig. 29}
Add or change oil (page 14)
Clean Cylinder Fins, Air Screen and Muffler area
Remove and clean Muffler (Fig. 33)
Improper Carburetor adjustment Adjust Carburetor (page 17}
NO LIGHTS
No Headlight with Light Switch in "ON" position Check Wire Connections and Switch, Replace Light Bulbs
and engine running
WON'T CHARGE
Blown Fuse Check for fault and replace
Defective Battery Replace
UNSATISFACTORY MOWER PERFORMANCE/UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF CLIPPINGS
Tires not inflated properly
Mower improperly adjusted
Grass high or wet
Incorrect engine RPM's
Excessive wear to outer cutting tip of mower blade
Improper mower blade installation
incorrect mower blade
Belt slippage
STORAGE
1, FUEL SYSTEM
a, Drain fuel tank and carburetor by allowing the engine to
run out of gasoline. NOTE: GASOLINE LEFT IN
YOUR ENGINE WILL LEAVE GUM DEPOSITS CLOG-
GING FUEL SYSTEM.
b Dispose of gasoline if not to be used, NOTE: GASO-
LINE STORED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS LOSES
ITS VOLATILITY (ABILITY TO BURN EFFECT-
1VELY).
2,, ENGINE OIL
Drain (with engine warm) and replace with clean engine oil
(See chart, page 6).,
3., CYLINDERS
&, Remove Spark Plugs,
b. Pour one once of oil through spark plug holes into cy-. 21 -
Check air pressure in tires (page 20)
Check front to rear and side to side mower adiust-
ment (pages 9 & 10)
Use a slower ground speed (refer to Mower Operating
instructions, page 11)
Check engine RPM's (refer to Carburetor Adjustment, page 17)
Replace mower blade
Reinstall with top of blade up
Replace with proper mower blade
Re-adiust mower drive belt (page t3}
linderso
c Turn Ignition Key to "START" position for a few
seconds to distribute oil
d. Replace with new Spark Plugs.
4. BATTERY
ao Remove battery if tractor is not used regularly during
• _'F
winter months Store in cool, dry place (above 50 ,}.
CAUTION: A DIRTY BATTERY CAN RUIN A
FI.OOR CLEAN BATTERY BEFORE STORAGE.
b Re-charge each month if necessary. NOTE: BATTERIES
NOT IN USE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOT
KEPT FULLY CHARGED, 'PRODUCE SULPHATE
DEPOSITS ON PLATES WHICH CANNOT BE RE-
MOVED BY RECHARGING,
5. GENERAL CLEANING
Clean engine, battery seat, finish, etc. of all foreign matter.