BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
11
Definitions
Troubleshooting - The act of gathering information by
preforming tests and direct observations.
Diagnosis - Developing and testing theories of what the
problem is, based on the information gathered in trou
-
bleshooting.
Introduction
Diagnosing an engine is an art form that is built
upon several factors. First and most importantly is a
good understanding of how the engine works. The sec
-
ond is skills that have been honed by experience.
Finally the use of visual observations and a structured,
systematic approach to troubleshooting a problem.
The first part of this chapter will outline the steps of
troubleshooting an engine so a technician can form a
proper diagnosis. The second half of this chapter will
describe specific procedures and tests to perform while
troubleshooting.
! CAUTION! CAUTION
The first two rules in troubleshoot-
ing is to cause no further harm to
the engine and prevent injuries.
Always make sure to check the oil
for level and condition before start-
ing an engine. Also check attach-
ments for damage and make sure
they are firmly mounted.
Steps to troubleshooting
NOTE: The steps and the order of the steps that
follow are a suggested approach to trouble
-
shooting the MTD engine. The technician does
not necessarily have to follow them as described
in this chapter
Define the problem
The first step in troubleshooting is to define the
problem:
• Crankshaft will not turn.
a. Hard to pull rope, steady pressure
b. Rope jerks back
c. Rope will not pull at all
• Crankshaft turns, no start
• Starts, runs poorly
a. Starts, then dies
b. Runs with low power output
c. Makes unusual smoke when running
I. Black smoke, usually heavy
II. White smoke, usually heavy
III. Blue smoke. usually light
d. Makes unusual sounds when running
I. Knock
II. Click
III. Chirp
IV. Unusual exhaust tone
There are tools that the technician can use in order
to define the problem, such as:
1. Interview the customer.
1a. Get a good description of their complaint.
1b. If it is an intermittent problem, verify what
conditions aggravate the problem as best
as possible.
1c. Get an accurate service history of the equip-
ment.
1d. Find out how the customer uses and stores
the equipment.
CHAPTER 2: BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING
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