Troubleshooting Guide
What To Check
Does the engine crank?
YES
Good compression?
YES
Does the tank contain fresh
fuel of the proper grade?
YES
Is fuel visible and moving in
the return line when priming?
YES
Is there spark at the spark
plug wire terminal?
YES
Check the spark plug.
Is the engine overheating?
Engine is rough at all speeds.
May also have black smoke
and/or unburned fuel at the
exhaust.
Engine is knocking.
20
ENGINE DOES NOT START
Possible Cause
Faulty recoil starter.
NO
Fluid in the crankcase.
Internal damage.
Loose spark plug. Excess wear on
NO
cylinder, piston, rings.
Fuel incorrect, stale, or contaminated;
NO
mixture incorrect.
Check for clogged fuel filter and/or vent.
NO
The ignition switch is in "O" (OFF)
NO
position. Shorted ignition system.
Faulty ignition unit.
If the plug is wet, excess fuel may be in
the cylinder.
The plug is fouled or improperly gapped.
The plug is damaged internally or of the
wrong size.
LOW POWER OUTPUT
Operator is overworking the unit.
Carburetor mixture is too lean.
Improper fuel ratio.
Fan, fan cover, cylinder fins dirty or
damaged.
Carbon deposits on the piston or in the
muffler.
Clogged air filter.
Loose or damaged spark plug.
Air leakage or clogged fuel line.
Water in the fuel.
Piston seizure.
Faulty carburetor and/or diaphragm.
Overheating condition.
Improper fuel.
Carbon deposits in the combustion
chamber.
Remedy
Consult with an authorized
servicing dealer.
Tighten and retest.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.
Refill with clean fresh unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 87 or higher, mixed with
Shindaiwa Premium 2-cycle mixing oil at a
50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.
Replace fuel filter or vent as required. Restart.
Move switch to "I" (ON) position and re-start.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.
Crank the engine with the plug removed,
replace the plug, and re-start.
Clean and re-gap the plug to 0.024 inch
(0.6 mm). Re-start.
Replace the plug with a Champion CJ8 or
equivalent type spark plug of the correct
heat range. For EMC compliance, use
NGK BMR6A Re-start.
Shorten trimmer line. Cut at a slower rate.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.
Refill with clean fresh unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane of 87 or higher, mixed with
Shindaiwa Premium 2-cycle mixing oil at a
50:1 gasoline/oil ratio.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.
Clean or replace the air filter.
Tighten or replace the plug with a Champion
CJ8 or equivalent type spark plug of the correct
heat range. For EMC compliance, use
NGK BMR6A Re-start.
Repair or replace filter and/or fuel line.
Refill with fresh fuel/oil mixture. See Page 12.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.
See above.
Check fuel octane rating; check for presence of
alcohol in the fuel. Refuel as necessary.
See page 12.
Consult with an authorized servicing dealer.