SECTION
2
TROUBLESHOOTING
Engine Starts Hard
Defective spark
plugs.
Engine
Loses
Power
Crankcase low
on
oil.
Breaker points worn or pitted.
Loose wires or connections.
Restricted fuel tank vent.
Clogged or restricted fuel line.
Broken choke or throttle cable.
Dirt or water
in
fuel system.
Carburetor
not
properly
adjusted.
Wrong valve clearance.
Air
intake
or
shrouding
plugged.
Excessive engine load.
Restricted air filter.
Dirt or water
in
fuel system.
Carburetor not properly adjusted.
Defective spark plugs.
High tension leads loose at coil.
Too
much oil
in
crankcase.
Head gasket leaking.
Low engine compression.
Low compression.
Worn cylinder bore.
EXTERNAL
ENGINE
INSPECTION
Before
cleaning
or
disassembling
an
engine,
check
the
external
condition-it
may
give
clues
to
what
may
be
found
inside
the
engine
once
it
is
disassembled.
D
Check
for
buildup
of
dirt
and
debris
on
the
engine
block
and
other
external
surfaces.
Pay
close
attention
to
the
air
intake
screen
and
cooling
fins-a
plugged
screen
or
fins
can
cause
overheating.
D
Check
for
obvious
fuel
and
oil
leaks
and
dam-
aged
components.
If
excessive
oil
leakage
is
evident,
this
may
indicate
an
improperly
serviced
breather
sys-
tem.
Normally,
an
engine
operates
with
a
slight
vacuum
in
the
crankcase.
If
pressures
build
up
in
the
crankcase
from a clogged
breather
or
piston
blow
by, oil will
be
forced
out
at
oil
seals,
gaskets,
or
any
other
availabile
spot.
D
Check
the
air
cleaner
cover
and
baseplate
for
damage
or
indications
of
improper
fit
and
seal.
Also
check
the
seal
on
the
air
cleaner
cover
wing
nut-a
missing
or
damaged
seal
could
allow
dirt
to
enter
the
engine.
D
Check
the
air
cleaner
element.
Look for holes,
tears,
cracked
or
damaged
sealing
surfaces,
or
other
damage
that
could
allow
dirt
to
enter
engine.
Also
note
if
the
element
is
plugged
or
restricted,
which
would
indicate
that
it
has
been
underserviced.
D
Check
the
carburetor
throat
for dirt.
Dirt
in
the
throat
is
further
indication
that
the
air
cleaner
is
not
functioning
properly.
12
D
Check
the
oil level. Note
if
the
oil
is
at
the
recommended
level
or
if
low
or
overfilled.
D
Check
the
condition
of
the
oil.
Drain
the
oil
into
a
container-the
oil
should
flow freely.
Check
for
metal
chips
and
other
foreign
particles.
NOTE:
It
is
good
practice
to
drain
oil
at
a
location
away
from
the
work
bench.
Be
sure
to
allow
ample
time
for complete
drainage.
Sludge
is
a
natural
by-product
of
combustion,
and
a
small
accumulation
is
normal.
Excessive
sludge
formation
could
indicate
several
things:
the
oil
has
not
been
changed
often
enough,
operating
with
improper
ignition
timing,
or
an
overrich
carburetor
adjustment,
to
name
a few.
Cleaning Engine
After
checking
the
external
condition
of
the
engine,
it
should
be
thoroughly
cleaned
prior
to
disassem-
bly. Also,
clean
all
parts
as
the
engine
is
dis-
assembled.
Only
clean
parts
can
be
accurately
gauged
and
inspected
for
wear
or
damage.
There
are
many
commercially
available
cleaners
that
quickly
remove
grease,
oil,
and
grime
accu-
mulation
from
engine
parts.
If
such
a
cleaner
is
used, follow the
manufacturer's
instructions
care-
fully.
Make
sure
that
all
traces
of
the
cleaner
are
removed
before
the
engine
is
reassembled
and
placed
in
operation.
Even
small
amounts
of
these
cleaners
quickly
break
down
the
lubricating
properties
of
engine
oils.
BASIC
ENGINE
TESTS
Crankcase Vacuum
A
partial
vacuum
should
be
present
in
the
crank-
case
when
engine
is
operating
at
normal
tempera-
tures.