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Troubleshooting – MTD WH25CS User Manual

Page 7

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7

SPARK ARRESTOR MAINTENANCE
1.

Remove air filter/muffler cover. Refer to Removing the Air
Filter/Muffler Cover.

2.

Locate the muffler, but do not remove it. Find the screw on the
bottom of the muffler (Fig. 30). Remove the screw using either
a torx #20 or flat blade screwdriver.

3.

Carefully pry up the left side spark arrestor hood. Two tabs act
as hinges on the right side of the hood. Flip open the spark
arrestor hood like a door and then pull its tabs out of the
muffler slots.

4.

Using a small flat blade screwdriver, carefully pry the spark
arrestor screen out from the inside of the spark arrestor hood.

5.

Clean the spark arrestor screen with a wire brush. Replace it if
it is damaged, or if you are unable to clean it thoroughly.

6.

Reinstall the spark arrestor screen snugly back into the spark
arrestor hood.

7.

Reinstall the two hood tabs into the two muffler slots and flip the spark arrestor hood closed.

8.

Replace the screw you removed in Step 2 and tighten it securely.

9.

Reinstall the air filter/muffler cover.

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT
The idle speed of the engine is adjustable through the air
filter/muffler cover (Fig. 31).
NOTE: Careless adjustments can seriously damage your unit. An

authorized service dealer should make carburetor adjustments.

Check Fuel Mixture
Old and/or improperly mixed fuel is usually the reason for
improper unit performance. Drain and refill the tank with fresh,
properly-mixed fuel prior to making any adjustments. Refer to Oil
and Fuel Information.
Clean Air Filter
The condition of the air filter is important to the operation of the
unit. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow and change the air/fuel
mixture. This is often mistaken for an out of adjustment carburetor.
Check the condition of the air filter before adjusting the idle speed screw. Refer to Air Filter Maintenance.
Adjust Idle Speed Screw

If, after checking the fuel mixture and cleaning the air filter, the engine still will not idle, adjust the idle
speed screw as follows:
1.

Start the engine and let it run at a high idle for a minute to warm up. Refer to Starting/Stopping
Instructions.

2.

Release the throttle trigger and let the engine idle. If the engine stops, insert a small phillips
screwdriver into the hole in the air filter/muffler cover (Fig. 31). Turn the idle speed screw in, clockwise,
1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed) until the engine idles smoothly.

NOTE: The cutting attachment should not rotate when the engine idles.
3.

If the cutting attachment rotates when the engine idles, turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise
1/8 of a turn at a time (as needed), to reduce idle speed.

Checking the fuel mixture, cleaning the air filter, and adjusting the idle speed should solve most engine problems.
If not and all of the following are true:

The engine will not idle

The engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration

There is a loss of engine power

Have the carburetor adjusted by an authorized service dealer.

Fig. 31

Idle Speed Screw

Fig. 30

Spark Arrestor

Hood

Muffler

Screw

Engine

Spark

Arrestor

Screen

Tabs

Slots

WARNING:

If the exhaust deflector assembly is not tightened securely, it could fall off

causing damage to the unit and possible serious personal injury.

WARNING:

The cutting attachment may spin during idle speed adjustments. Wear

protective clothing and observe all safety instructions to prevent serious personal injury.

REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG

Use a Champion RDJ7Y spark plug (or equivalent). The correct air gap is 0.025 inch (0.635 mm). Remove
the plug after every 25 hours of operation and check its condition.
1.

Stop the engine and allow it to cool. Grasp the plug wire firmly
and pull it from the spark plug.

2.

Clean around the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the
cylinder head by turning a 5/8 in. socket counterclockwise.

3.

Replace a cracked, fouled or dirty spark plug. Set the air gap
at 0.025 in. (0.635 mm) using a feeler gauge (Fig. 32).

4.

Install a correctly-gapped spark plug in the cylinder head.
Tighten by turning the 5/8-inch socket clockwise until snug.

If using a torque wrench torque to:
110-120 in.•lb. (12.3-13.5 N•m)
Do not over tighten.

CLEANING

Use a small brush to clean off the outside of the unit. Do not use strong detergents. Household cleaners
that contain aromatic oils such as pine and lemon, and solvents such as kerosene, can damage plastic
housing or handle. Wipe off any moisture with a soft cloth.
STORAGE

Never store the unit with fuel in the tank where fumes may reach an open flame or spark.

Allow the engine to cool before storing.

Store the unit locked up to prevent unauthorized use or damage.

Store the unit in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Store the unit out of the reach of children.

LONG TERM STORAGE
If the unit will be stored for an extended time, use the following storage procedure:
1.

Drain all fuel from the fuel tank into a container with the same 2-cycle fuel mixture. Do not use fuel
that has been stored for more than 60 days. Dispose of the old fuel/oil mix in accordance to Federal,
State and Local regulations.

2.

Start the engine and allow it to run until it stalls. This ensures that all fuel has been drained from the
carburetor.

3.

Allow the engine to cool. Remove the spark plug and put 1 oz. (30 ml) of any high quality motor oil or
2-cycle oil into the cylinder. Pull the starter rope slowly to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug.

NOTE: Remove the spark plug and drain all of the oil from the cylinder before attempting to start the

trimmer after storage.

4.

Thoroughly clean the unit and inspect it for any loose or damaged parts. Repair or replace damaged
parts and tighten loose screws, nuts or bolts. The unit is ready for storage.

TRANSPORTING

Allow the engine to cool before transporting.

Drain fuel from unit.

Tighten fuel cap before transporting.

Secure the unit while transporting.

WARNING:

To avoid serious personal injury, always turn your unit off and allow it to

cool before you clean or service it.

WARNING:

To prevent serious personal injury, make sure the cutting attachment has

stopped rotating before you turn it off and set it down.

WARNING:

Do not sand blast, scrape or clean electrodes. Grit in the engine could

damage the cylinder.

Fig. 32

0.025 in.

(0.635 mm)

If further assistance is required, contact your authorized service dealer.

CAUSE

ACTION

Cutting attachment bound with grass

Stop the engine and clean cutting attachment

Cutting attachment out of line

Refill with new line

Inner reel bound up

Replace the inner reel

Cutting head dirty

Clean inner reel and outer spool

Line welded

Disassemble, remove the welded section and rewind

Line twisted when refilled

Disassemble and rewind the line

Not enough line is exposed

Push the bump knob and pull out line until 4 inches
(102 mm) of line is outside of the cutting attachment

CAUSE

ACTION

Old or improperly mixed fuel

Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture

Improper carburetor adjustment

Take to an authorized service dealer for an adjustment

Fouled spark plug

Replace or clean the spark plug

Plugged spark arrestor

Clean or replace spark arrestor

CAUSE

ACTION

Empty fuel tank

Fill fuel tank with properly mixed fuel

Primer bulb wasn't pressed enough

Press primer bulb fully and slowly 10 times

Engine is flooded

Squeeze the trigger and pull the starter rope

Old or improperly mixed fuel

Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture

Fouled spark plug

Replace or clean the spark plug

Plugged spark arrestor

Clean or replace spark arrestor

The outside temperature is below 40º F

Pull the starter rope up to 10-15 times

The outside temperature is above 90º F

Squeeze the throttle control and pull the starter rope

ENGINE WILL NOT START

ENGINE WILL NOT IDLE

ENGINE WILL NOT ACCELERATE

CAUSE

ACTION

Air filter is plugged

Replace or clean the air filter

Old or improperly mixed fuel

Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture

Improper carburetor adjustment

Adjust according to the Carburetor Adjustments section

CAUSE

ACTION

Old or improperly mixed fuel

Drain gas tank and add fresh fuel mixture

Improper carburetor adjustment

Take to an authorized service dealer for an adjustment

Cutting attachment bound with grass

Stop the engine and clean the cutting attachment

Dirty air filter

Clean or replace the air filter

Plugged spark arrestor

Clean or replace spark arrestor

CAUSE

ACTION

Oil, cleaner or lubricant in cutting head

Clean and thoroughly dry the cutting head

TROUBLESHOOTING

CUTTING LINE ADVANCES UNCONTROLLABLY

CUTTING ATTACHMENT WILL NOT ADVANCE LINE

ENGINE LACKS POWER OR STALLS WHEN CUTTING