Poulan HDR500M User Manual - Page 20

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM Will not start Hard to start Loss of power Engine overheats Excessive bounce/ difficult handling Soil balls up or clumps Engine runs but tiller won't move Engine runs but labors when tilling Tines will not rotate Hard to shift into gear CAUSE 1. Out of fuel. 2. Engine not "CHOKED" properly. 3. Engine flooded. 4. Dirty air cleaner. 5. Water in fuel. 6. Clogged fuel tank. 7. Loose spark plug wire. 8. Bad spark plug or improper gap. 9. Carburetor out of adjustment. 1. Throttle control not set properly. 2. Dirty air cleaner. 3. Bad spark plug or improper gap. 4. Stale or dirty fuel. 5. Loose spark plug wire. 6. Carburetor out of adjustment. 1. Engine is overloaded. 2. Dirty air cleaner. 3. Low oil level/dirty oil. 4. Faulty spark plug. 5. Oil in fuel. 6. Stale or dirty fuel. 7. Water in fuel. 8. Clogged fuel tank. 9. Spark plug wire loose. 10. Dirty engine air screen. 11. Dirty/clogged muffler. 12. Carburetor out of adjustment. 13. Poor compression. 1. Low oil level/dirty oil. 2. Dirty engine air screen. 3. Dirty engine. 4. Partially plugged muffler. 5. Improper carburetor adjustment. 1. Ground too dry and hard. 1. Ground too wet. 1. Drive control bar is not engaged. 2. V-belt not correctly adjusted. 3. V-belt is off pulley(s). 1. Tilling too deep. 2. Throttle control not properly adjusted. 3. Carburetor out of adjustment. 1. Shear pin(s) broken. 1. Gears not timed. Tiller shuts off when drive control bar engaged 1. Shift lever set in between counter rotating till position and forward rotating till position. 2. Tines jammed. CORRECTION 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. See "TO START ENGINE" in Operation section. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Clean or replace air cleaner cartridge. 5. Drain fuel tank and carburetor, and refill tank with fresh gasoline. 6. Remove fuel tank and clean. 7. Make sure spark plug wire is seated properly on plug. 8. Replace spark plug or adjust gap. 9. Make necessary adjustments. 1. Place throttle control in "FAST" position. 2. Clean or replace air cleaner cartridge. 3. Replace spark plug or adjust gap. 4. Drain fuel tank and refill with fresh gasoline. 5. Make sure spark plug wire is seated properly on plug. 6. Make necessary adjustments. 1. Set depth stake for shallower tilling. 2. Clean or replace air cleaner cartridge. 3. Check oil level/change oil. 4. Clean and regap or change spark plug. 5. Drain and clean fuel tank and refill, and clean carburetor. 6. Drain fuel tank and refill with fresh gasoline. 7. Drain fuel tank and carburetor, and refill tank with fresh gasoline. 8. Remove fuel tank and clean. 9. Connect and tighten spark plug wire. 10. Clean engine air screen. 11. Clean/replace muffler. 12. Make necessary adjustments. 13. Contact an authorized service center/department. 1. Check oil level/change oil. 2. Clean engine air screen. 3. Clean cylinder fins, air screen, and muffler area. 4. Remove and clean muffler. 5. Adjust carburetor to richer position. 1. Moisten ground or wait for more favorable soil conditions. 1. Wait for more favorable soil conditions. 1. Engage drive control. 2. Inspect/adjust V-belt. 3. Inspect V-belt. 1. Set depth stake for shallower tilling. 2. Check throttle control setting. 3. Make necessary adjustments. 1. Replace shear pin(s). 1. Briefly engage drive control bar and release or rock tiller forward and backward until are able to shift gears. 1. Shift to either counter rotating till position or forward rotating till position. 2. Clear tines. 20