Craftsman 917.296040 - Manual (Page 21)

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank.
2. Engine not “CHOKED”
properly.
2. See “TO START ENGINE” in
the Operation section.
3. Engine flooded. 3. Wait several minutes before
attempting to start.
4. Dirty air cleaner. 4. Clean or replace air cleaner
cartridge.
5. Water in fuel. 5. Empty fuel tank and carbure­
tor, and refill tank with fresh
gasoline.
6. Clogged fuel tank. 6. Remove fuel tank and clean.
7. Loose spark plug wire. 7. Make sure spark plug wire is
seat ed properly on plug.
8. Bad spark plug or
improper gap.
8. Replace spark plug or adjust
gap.
9. Carburetor out of adjust­
ment.
9. Make necessary adjust
ments.
Hard to start 1. Throttle control not set
properly.
1. Place throttle control in
“FAST” position.
2. Dirty air cleaner. 2. Clean or replace air cleaner
cartridge.
3. Bad spark plug or
improper gap.
3. Replace spark plug or adjust
gap.
4. Stale or dirty fuel. 4. Empty fuel tank and refill with
fresh gasoline.
5. Loose spark plug wire. 5. Make sure spark plug wire is
seated properly on plug.
6. Carburetor out of
adjustment.
6. Make necessary adjust
ments.
Loss of power 1. Engine is overloaded. 1. Set depth stake for shallower
tilling.
2. Dirty air cleaner. 2. Clean or replace air cleaner
cartridge.
3. Low oil level/dirty oil. 3. Check oil level/change oil.
4. Faulty spark plug. 4. Clean and regap or change
spark plug.
5. Cil in fuel. 5. Empty and clean fuel tank
and refill, and clean carburetor.
6. Stale or dirty fuel. 6. Empty fuel tank and refill with
fresh gasoline.
7. Water in fuel. 7. Empty fuel tank and carbure­
tor, and refill tank with fresh
gasoline.
8. Clogged fuel tank. 8. Remove fuel tank and clean.
9. Spark plug wire loose. 9. Connect and tighten spark
plug wire.
10. Dirty engine air screen. 10. Clean engine air screen.
11. Dirty/clogged muffler. 11. Clean/replace muffler.
12. Carburetor out of
adjustment.
12. Make necessary adjust
ments.
13. Poor compression.
21
13. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.