Engine will not start

Battery has low voltage.

Loose or corroded battery connections.

Fusible link is melted.

Spark plug wire is loose or disconnected.

Faulty spark plug or coil.

No fuel or improper fuel.

Plugged fuel filter.

Defective starter solenoid.

Open-circuit in wiring.

Water in fuel tank.

Engine is hard to start

Engine is cold.

Plugged fuel filter.

Engine oil viscosity too heavy.

Spark plug is fouled.

Faulty spark plug or wire.

Loose or corroded electrical connections.

Stale or improper fuel.

Choke not being used or adjusted incorrectly.

Water in fuel tank.

Engine misses under load

Faulty spark plug.

Stale or dirty fuel.

Plugged fuel filter.

Faulty coil or wire.

Engine vapor locks

Poor quality fuel or methanol.

Very hot weather conditions and very high loading condition.

Fuel tank vent plugged.

Dirt in fuel filter.

Seasonally-blended fuel with incorrect specifications.

Engine runs unevenly

Cooling fins plugged.

Loose electrical connections.

Choke or throttle cable sticking.

Fuel line or fuel filter plugged.

Stale or dirty fuel.

Water in fuel tank.

Improper fuel.

Air cleaner element plugged.

Spark plug is fouled.

Engine overheats

Air cleaner element missing or plugged.

Carburetor air intake tube plugged.

Engine fins plugged.

Engine oil low.

Engine operated too long at slow engine speed.

Engine loses power

Engine overheating.

Too much oil in engine.

Faulty spark plug.

Fuel supply being restricted.

Fuel filter plugged

Fuel line pinched or kinked.

Improper fuel.

Air cleaner element plugged.

Engine knocks

Low engine speed.

Stale or low octane fuel.

Engine overloaded.

Engine backfires

After-bang on shutdown - allow engine to idle for a few minutes before shutting engine down.

Starter does not work

Loose or corroded connections.

Low battery output.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Faulty starter.

Starter cranks slowly

Low battery output.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Engine oil too heavy.

Loose or corroded connections.

Entire electrical system does not work

Failed fusible link, blown fuse.

Loose or corroded connections.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Dead battery

Key not turned to "STOP" position.

Low engine speed or excessive idling.

Battery cables and terminals are dirty.

Dead cell in the battery.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Faulty charging system.

Current draw higher than charging system output. (If several attachments are added and used frequently at the same time with the standard charging system. Especially at low engine speeds.)

Battery will not take a charge

Dead cell in battery.

Loose or corroded connections.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Electrolyte level low.

Low engine speed or excessive idling.

Faulty charging system.

Brakes squeal or make noise

Change transaxle oil.

Check for debris or moisture in oil.