Troy-Bilt 12089 - Engine Performance Issues

• Spark plug wire loose or damaged.
Spark plug worn or fouled. See
Section 5.
• Engine under excessive work load.
Use SLOW wheel speed and LOW belt
range.
• Throttle cable may be loose or mis-
adjusted. See Section 5.
• Verify that engine isn't running with
choke partially engaged. See Section 3.
• Carburetor may need adjustment.
See Section 5.
• Engine overheating. Check oil level
and clean cooling fins. Oil may be very
dirty. Let hot engine cool before
restarting.
• Dirt or water in fuel or fuel system.
• Engine crankcase low in oil, or over-
filled with oil. Check and adjust level.
• Low engine compression.
15 Engine Difficult To Start:
• WheelsfTines/PTO Drive Lever not in
NEUTRAL position.
• Fuel tank low or empty.
• Dirt or water in fuel or fuel system.
• Fuel line is restricted.
• Choke not set properly. See Section 3.
• Spark plug worn or fouled (weak
spark). See Section 5.
• Air cleaner restricted with dirt and/or
oil. See Section 5.
• Throttle cable not properly adjusted.
See Section 5.
• Engine throttle lever not free to move
through its full operating range.
• Throttle wire and its linkage are bind-
ing, or are bent and not free to move.
• Low engine compression.
16 Engine Won't Start:
• See "Troubleshooting the Forward
Interlock Safety System" in Section 5.
• WheelslTines/PTO Drive Lever not in
NEUTRAL position.
• Fuel tank low or empty. Or fuel line
restricted or clogged.
• Choke improperly set. See Section 3.
• Water or dirt in fuel, and lor fuel sys-
tem.
• Spark plug fouled or worn. Spark
plug wire loose or damaged. See
Section 5.
• Carburetor may need adjustment.
• Air filter clogged with oil or dirt. See
Section 5.
• Carburetor float faulty (or float valve
leaking)- if so, tap side of bowl lightly
with handle of screwdriver (or similar
object).
• Fuel is stale- won't vaporize prop-
erly, gums up carburetor float, chan-
nels and valves. Drain old fuel and add
new fuel.
• Fuel tank shut-off valve not in "Open"
position. See Section 3.
• On Briggs & Stratton engine, On/Off
switch not in ON position.
On Electric Start Engines Only:
• Electrical connections loose or
shorted against metal frames, brackets
or covers. See Section 5.
• Battery discharged. See Section 5.
• Electric starter motor faulty.
17 Engine Shuts Off When Wheelsl
TineslPTO Drive Lever Is In Forward:
• See "Troubleshooting the Forward
Interlock Safety System" in Section 5.
18 Engine Overheats
• Clean the engine cooling fins, shroud
and covers. See Section 5.
• Check for broken flywheel fins (under
engine shroud). See Authorized Engine
Dealer.
• Check oil level for correct amount.
19 Engine Runs Erratically:
• Water or dirt in gasoline or carbure-
tor.
• Carburetor may need adjustment.
See Engine Manufacturer literature.
• Spark plug fouled or dirty. Spark
plug wire loose or damaged. See
Section 5.
• Loose or cracked carburetor.
• Governor linkage not adjusted prop-
erly or binding. See Authorized Engine
Service Dealer. Don't attempt to repair
by yourself.
63
Troubleshooting
• Check pan gasket, engine seals and
drain plugs for leaks. See your
Authorized Engine Service Dealer.
20 Engine Runs Wel/,
But Labors Under Tiller Load
• Check governor linkage for freedom
of movement.
• Check throttle setting and carburetor
adjustment. See Engine Manufacturer
literature.
• Tilling depth is possibly too deep. To
correct, lower the depth regulator lever.
• Possible worn bronze tiller worm
gear or loose drive shaft (on well-used
tiller).
21 Key Switch Will Not
Start The Engine
• Check battery terminals for corro-
sion. See Section 5.
• Discharged battery. See Section 5.
• Defective solenoid.
• Short in key switch or key switch
wire harness.
• Check starter motor mounting bolts
for looseness. Have Authorized Engine
Service Dealer inspect the starter
motor.