78/83/90 Series Horizontal Shaft Engines
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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 equipment.
1d. Find out how the customer uses and stores the equipment.
2. Direct observation:
2a. Do not automatically accept that the customer is correct with their description of the problem. Try to
duplicate the problem.
2b. Check the general condition of the equipment (visually).
I. Cleanliness of the equipment will indicate the level of care the equipment has received.
II. Make sure the engine and attachments are securely fastened.
III. The tune-up factors.
NOTE: Most hard starting and poor running conditions can be solved by performing a tune-up.
a. Check the condition and amount of oil in the crankcase.
b. Check the level and condition of the fuel.
c. Check the ignition and “read” the spark plug.
d. Look for obvious signs of physical damage, exhaust system blockage or cooling system block-
age.
3. Broken starter rope.
3a. Usually means the engine was hard to start.
3b. Makes it impossible to confirm any running or hard starting symptoms by direct observation.
3c. Some inference can be made from checking other factors of the general condition of the equipment.
Identify factors that could cause the problem
This is the second step in the troubleshooting process.
1. Crankshaft will not turn.
A. Hard to pull rope, steady pressure. This usually indicates a mechanical bind of some sort. The likely
suspects are:
I. A slightly bent crankshaft. In some cases the drag may increase and decrease as the crankshaft
rotates. This produces a pulsing feeling that is different than a jerk back.
II. A parasitic load from a drive belt that is not releasing or an implement that is jammed.
III. An internal drag from a scored or seized piston.
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