Craftsman C459-36310 - TROUBLESHOOTING; Engine Fails to Start; Engine Runs Erratic; Engine Overheats

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TROUBLESHOOTING
WARNING
Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent
unintended starting. Before performing any type of maintenance/service,
disengage all controls and stop the engine. Wait until all moving parts
have come to a complete stop. Always wear safety glasses during operation
or while performing any adjustments or repairs.
For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed here, contact Sears at 1-800-4-MY-HOME.
Problem Cause Remedy
EngineFailstostart
1. Bladecontroldisengaged.
2. Sparkplugbootdisconnected.
3. Fueltankemptyorstalefuel.
4. Enginenotprimed(Ifequippedwithprimer).
5. Faultysparkplug.
6. Engineflooded.
7. Blockedfuelline.
1. Engagebladecontrol.
2. Connectwiretosparkboot.
3. Filltankwithclean,freshgasoline.
4. PrimeengineasinstructedintheOperationsection.
5. Clean,adjustgap,orreplace.
6. Waitafewminutestorestart.
7. ContactyourSearsParts&RepairCentertohavefuelline
cleaned.
Enginerunserratic 1. Sparkplugbootloose.
2. Stalefuel.
3. Ventingascapplugged.
4. Waterordirtinfuelsystem.
5. Dirtyaircleaner.
6. Blockedfuelline.
1. Connectandtightensparkplugboot.
2. Filltankwithclean,freshgasoline.
3. Clearvent.
4. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffuel.Refillwithfreshfuel.
5. RefertoAirCleanerinEngineMaintenancesection.
6. ContactyourSearsParts&RepairCentertohavefuelline
cleaned.
Engineoverheats 1. Engineoillevellow.
2. Airflowrestricted.
1. Fillcrankcasewithproperoil.
2. Cleanareaaroundandontopofengine.
Occasionalskips(hesitates) 1. Sparkpluggaptooclose. 1. Adjustgap.RefertoSparkPluginEngineMaintenancesection.
Idlespoorly 1. Sparkplugfouled,faulty,orgaptoowide.
2. Dirtyaircleaner.
1. Resetgaporreplacesparkplug.
2. RefertoAirCleanerinEngineMaintenancesection.
Excessivevibration 1. Cuttingbladelooseorunbalanced.
2. Bentcuttingblade.
1. Tightenbladeandadapter.Balanceblade.
2. Replaceblade.
Mowerwillnotmulchgrass 1. Wetgrass.
2. Excessivelyhighgrass.
3. Dullblade.
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.
Unevencut 1. Wheelsnotpositionedcorrectly.
2. Dullblade.
1. Adjustcuttingheightleveronrightfrontandrightrearwheelto
sameposition.
2. Sharpenorreplaceblade.