Fuel System Troubleshooting

General Information
Problems that are thought to be caused by the fuel
system may, in reality, be something completely dif-
ferent. Items, that are shown below, could give the
impression that there is a problem in the fuel system.
1. Propeller
2. Spark Plugs
3. Ignition Timing
4. Ignition Spark Voltage
5. Cylinder Compression
6. Reed Valves
Typical symptoms and solutions in troubleshooting a
fuel system are shown below.

Problem: Engine Floods

Possible Cause Corrective Action
Dirt or debris are preventing inlet needle from seat- Flush out inlet seat and clean inlet needle
ing
Worn inlet needle Replace
Punctured float Replace
Incorrect float setting Reset float

Problem: Engine Runs Too Rich

Possible Cause Corrective Action
Fuel level too high Reset float to correct level
Carburetor floods See preceding “Engine Floods”
Idle nozzle air holes plugged Blow out with compressed air
Restricted air flow Inspect cowl air inlet and carburetor for obstructions
Main fuel jet loose Re-tighten jet

Problem: Fuel Blow Back Out Of Carburetor

Possible Cause Corrective Action
Chipped or broken reeds on reed block Replace reeds

Problem: Rough Idle

Possible Cause Corrective Action
Excessive pre-load on reeds Replace reeds

3B-20 - FUEL SYSTEM 90-830234R3 DECEMBER 1997

Problem: Engine Turns Over But Will Not Start Or Starts Hard When Cold
Possible Cause
Improper starting procedure used.
Fuel tank empty or too low. Improperly mixed fuel.
Contaminants (water, dirt, etc.) in fuel.
Fuel tank air vent closed or restricted.
Pinched, cut, restricted fuel line or loose fuel line
connection.
Dirty or restricted fuel filter.
Choke solenoid or enrichment valve not operating.
Needle and seat in carburetor that is either stuck
open (flooding) or closed (no fuel).
Improper carburetor jet, restricted jet or idle mixture
screw out of adjustment.
Improper float level.
Low fuel pump pressure.
Defective anti-siphon valve.
Needle and seat in carburetor that is either stuck
open or closed.
Improper float level.
Carburetor loose on intake manifold.
Reed block loose or gasket defective.
Improperly routed or restricted bleed hose(s).
Damaged fuel pump diaphragm.
Carburetor mixing chamber cover leaking air.
Off idle holes plugged.
Main nozzle or idle nozzle air bleed holes plugged.
Damaged reeds.
Fuel pick-up outlet tube in fuel tank cracked.
Problem: Unable to Reduce Engine RPM to Slow Idle
Possible Cause
Chipped or broken reeds on reed block.
90-830234R3 DECEMBER 1997
Corrective Action
Review starting procedure as outlined in “Operation
and Maintenance Manual”.
Check fuel in tank and replace or add whichever is
necessary.
Check air vent on fuel tank. Air vent must be open
all the way and free from any contaminants.
Inspect all fuel lines and replace as needed. Tighten
fuel line connections.
Inspect and replace or clean all fuel filters.
Inspect solenoid or valve and wiring. Replace as re-
quired.
Refer to carburetor disassembly in this section.
Refer to carburetor adjustments in this section.
Refer to carburetor adjustments in this section.
Refer to Section 3A “Fuel Pump”.
Refer to Section 3A “Fuel Pump”.
Refer to carburetor adjustments in this section.
Refer to carburetor adjustments in this section.
Check tightness of carburetor nuts.
Using a pressure oil can, apply 2-cycle oil around
reed block housing/crankcase housing matching
surfaces and carburetor base. If engine RPM
changes, tighten bolts/nuts or replace gaskets as
required.
Refer to bleed hose routing in Section 4A “Power-
head”.
Refer to Section 3A “Fuel Pump”.
Tighten screws or replace gasket.
Blow with compressed air.
Blow with compressed air.
Refer to Section 4A “Powerhead” for reed inspec-
tion.
Replace.
Corrective Action
Replace reeds.
FUEL SYSTEM - 3B-21
Problem: Engine Runs Too Lean
Possible Cause
Carburetor is loose. Air leaks past mixing chamber
cover.
Fuel level is too low.
Clogged high speed jet.
Restricted fuel flow to carburetor.
Incorrect high speed jet.
Idle mixture set too lean.
Air leakage into fuel system.
Anti-siphon valve restricting fuel flow.
Problems:
-Engine Idles Rough And Stalls
-Engine Runs Uneven Or Surges
-Engine Will Not Accelerate
Possible Cause
Fuel tank air vent closed or restricted.
A pinched, cut or restricted fuel line; also loose fuel
line connection.
A dirty or restricted fuel filter.
Restricted filter in fuel tank.
Improperly mixed fuel; contaminants (water, dirt,
etc,) in fuel.
An inlet needle (in carburetor) that is either stuck
open or closed. (A needle, that is stuck open, will
cause a flooding condition. A needle, that is stuck
closed, will prevent fuel from entering carburetor.)
Incorrect idle mixture adjustment.
Carburetor is loose.
Chamber cover leaking air.
Off idle holes plugged.
Main nozzle or idle nozzle air bleed holes plugged.
Improper main jet or restricted jet.
Damaged reed(s).
A crack in the fuel pick-up outlet tube (located in fuel Replace.
tank).
3B-22 - FUEL SYSTEM
Corrective Action
Tighten bolts securely. Tighten cover or replace gas-
ket.
Reset float level.
Inspect jet for varnish or debris and clean.
Check fuel lines and filter(s) for restricted flow.
Refer to main jet chart and replace with proper jet.
Adjust to run richer (turn idle mix screw counter-
clockwise).
Inspect fuel line connections, hose clamps, fuel
pump and fuel outlet tube (located in fuel tank) for
loose fittings.
Refer to Section 3A for checking for restriction of
fuel flow caused by anti-siphon valve.
Corrective Action
Air vent must be open all the way and free from re-
strictions.
Check all fuel lines and replace as needed. Check
and tighten all fuel line connections.
Check, replace, or clean all fuel filters.
Clean by rinsing in clean lead-free gasoline or kero-
sene.
Check fuel and replace,
if necessary.
Remove and replace with new inlet needle.
Re-adjust.
Tighten bolts securely.
Tighten or replace gasket.
Blow out with compressed air.
Blow out with compressed air.
Clean or replace with proper jet (refer to “Main Jet
Chart”).
Inspect reeds as outlined in Section 4A.
90-830234R3 DECEMBER 1997