Stihl RZ 142 Instruction Manual - Page 39

Troubleshooting While normal care and regular maintenance will extend the life of your unit, prolonged or constant use may eventually require that service be performed to allow it to continue to operate properly. This troubleshooting guide lists the most common problems, their causes, and remedies. Refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES for instructions on how to perform most of these minor adjustments and service repairs yourself. If you prefer, all of these procedures can be performed for you by your authorized STIHL servicing dealer. WARNING Remove ignition key prior to performing maintenance on the unit. To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on the unit or mower deck only when the engine is stopped and the parking brake is engaged. Always remove the ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and fasten it away from the plug(s) before beginning the maintenance, to prevent accidental starting of the engine. Troubleshooting the Zero-Turn Riding Mower Problem: Engine will not turn over and start. Cause Remedy Ground speed control levers are not Lock ground speed control levers in in START/PARK positions. START/PARK positions. PTO (electric clutch) switch is in ON Place in OFF position. position. Out of fuel. If engine is hot, allow it to cool, then refill the fuel tank. Engine flooded. Open the choke (if equipped). Battery terminals require cleaning. Clean the battery terminals. Battery discharged or dead. Recharge or replace. Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled or incorrectly gapped. Clean and gap or replace. Engine starts hard or runs poorly. Cause Remedy Fuel mixture too rich. Clean air filter. Check the choke (if equipped). Spark plug faulty, fouled or incorrectly gapped. Clean and gap or replace. Excessive oil consumption. Engine running too hot. Check engine fins, blower screen, and air cleaner. Using wrong grade oil. See engine operator's manual. Too much oil in crankcase. Drain excess oil. Engine exhaust is black. Cause Remedy Dirty air filter. Replace air filter. Engine choke control is in closed position. Open choke control (if equipped). Engine runs, but unit will not drive or handles poorly. Cause Remedy Transmission release lever(s) in "bypass" position. Move transmission release lever(s) to the "drive" position. Transmission drive belt or pulleys is Clean as required. greasy or oily. Steering lever linkages are loose. See an authorized STIHL servicing dealer. For all other issues, see an authorized STIHL servicing dealer. Troubleshooting Common Cutting Problems Problem: Streaking Streaking is when thin strips of uncut grass are left behind the mower. Streaking is usually caused by operator error or poor blade maintenance. Cause Remedy Blades are not sharp. Sharpen your blades. Blades are worn down too far. Replace your blades. Engine speed is too slow. Always mow at full throttle. Ground speed is too fast. Slow down. Deck is plugged with grass. Clean out the mower. Not overlapping cutting rows enough. Overlap your cutting rows Not overlapping enough when turning. When turning your effective cutting width decreases-overlap more when turning. Problem: Scalping Scalping is when the mower deck comes close to or hits the ground. Scalping can be caused by the mower deck misadjustment, unevenness in the lawn, or by mower deck bouncing because the ground speed is too fast. Cause Low oil level. Using wrong grade oil. Engine knocks. Remedy Check/add oil as required. See engine operator's manual. Cause Excessive oil consumption. Remedy Cause Lawn is uneven or bumpy. Mower deck cutting height is set too low. Ground speed is too fast. Remedy Roll or level the lawn. Raise the cutting height. Slow down. 39