Troubleshooting

8-1. General Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting procedures vary for engines with carburetors versus fuel injected
engines. Refer to Section 8-1.2 for fuel injected engines and Section 8-1.1 for engines
with carburetors.
8-1.1. General Troubleshooting for Engines equipped with a Carburetor

Engine Will Not Start

Check switch positions:

Starter Master Power Switch……………….....ON
NOT
turns when ignition switch OK
Fuel Selector Valve…………...……….ON
is engaged? Throttle………………..………….¼ OPEN
Ignition Switch...………….…..….…BOTH

OK

Switches NOT Reposition switches and

Go to positioned properly? OK retry
Section 8-5

OK

Service or replace battery

Check battery condition NOT according to Airframe
OK Manufacturer’s
instructions.
OK

Check Ignition Switch

wiring according to Repair wiring according to
NOT
Airframe Manufacturer’s
Airframe Manufacturer’s OK
instructions.
instructions.
OK

Service with fuel approved

NOT
Check Fuel Level in tank(s) OK
for engine model
(Section 7)
OK

Go to
Section
8-1.4

8-2 Standard Practice Maintenance Manual

15 Sep 2019
 Troubleshooting
8-1.2. General Troubleshooting for Engines with Continental Continuous Flow
Fuel Injection Systems

Engine Will Not Start

Master Power Switch……………….....ON

Fuel Selector Valve…………...……….ON
Mixture Control……….……....FULL RICH NOT Reposition switches and
Throttle………………..………….¼ OPEN OK retry
Boost Pump………………………per POH
Ignition Switch...………….…..….…BOTH
OK

Service or replace battery

Starter turns when ignition NOT NOT according to Airframe
Check battery condition
switch is engaged? OK OK Manufacturer’s
instructions.
OK OK

Engine turns with starter? NOT Check Ignition Switch

OK wiring according to Repair wiring according to
NOT
Airframe Manufacturer’s
Airframe Manufacturer’s OK
instructions.
OK Replace starter instructions.
adapter OK

Check fuel level in tanks NOT Replace starter

OK

Service with
OK appropriate fuel
grade.

NOT
Check fuel pressure OK

Check for fuel line

OK obstruction
NOT
Check fuel flow OK
Refer to Ignition
OK Troubleshooting (Sect. 8-3)

Refer to Ignition
Troubleshooting (Sect. 8-7)

Standard Practice Maintenance Manual 8-3

15 Sep 2019
Troubleshooting
8-1.3. Engine Runs Rough
Engine troubleshooting techniques vary depending on the engine fuel system. For engines
equipped with a carburetor refer to Section 8-1.3.1. To troubleshoot rough running engines
equipped with continuous flow fuel injection systems, refer to Section 8-1.3.1.
8-1.3.1. Engine Runs Rough (equipped with Carburetor)

Engine Runs

Check induction air NOT Replace induction

Roughly AT IDLE Increase IDLE speed OK
filter (airframe) OK air filter

AT ANY OK
SPEED

Check for induction system NOT Correct according to Airframe

obstruction OK Manufacturer’s instructions Go to
Section 8-6
OK

NOT Correct according to Propeller

Check propeller for imbalance OK Manufacturer’s instructions
OK

Check/adjust carburetor IDLE NOT Adjust according to

mixture adjustment. OK instructions in primary ICA
OK

Check carburetor/priming system NOT

Correct leak
for leaks OK

OK

Check for loose or broken engine

NOT
mounts according to Airframe OK Replace engine mounts
Manufacturer’s instructions.
OK

Possible hydraulic lifter

malfunction or burned or warped
exhaust valves or valve seats.
Perform Cylinder Differential
Pressure Test and Borescope
Inspection (Section 6).

8-4 Standard Practice Maintenance Manual

15 Sep 2019
 Troubleshooting
8-1.3.2. Engine Runs Rough (equipped with Continental Continuous Flow Fuel
Injection System)

Engine Runs Rough at IDLE

Check air filter for cleanliness NOT Replace air filter according to the
(see Aircraft Manufacturer’s OK Aircraft Maintenance Manual.
maintenance instructions).
OK

Perform Induction System Torque loose fasteners to

NOT
Inspection; look for induction OK Appendix B specifications.
system leaks.

OK
Go to
Perform Ignition System NOT Section
Inspection (Section 6). OK 8-6.1

OK

Perform Engine Operational Adjust fuel pressure to meet

NOT
Check (Section 6). OK
engine specifications
(Section 6).

OK

Possible hydraulic lifter

malfunction or burned or warped
exhaust valves or valve seats.
Perform Cylinder Differential
Pressure Test and Borescope
Inspection (Section 6).

Engine Runs Rough at High

Speed

Check engine mount legs for Replace engine mount legs on

NOT
cracks; check mount leg fastener OK
condition. Torque fasteners to
torque. Appendix B specifications.
OK
Go to
Perform Ignition System NOT OK
Section
Inspection (Section 6). 8-6.1
OK

Check propeller for imbalance. NOT Correct according to propeller

OK manufacturer’s instructions

Standard Practice Maintenance Manual 8-5

15 Sep 2019
Troubleshooting
8-1.4. Engine Will Not Run

Engine will not run at IDLE

Verify aircraft fuel selector is set

to fullest tank.
OK

Fuel System? Carburetor

Cont. Flow
Fuel Injection
Perform Engine
NOT Turn aircraft boost NOT Operational Check and
Check Fuel Pressure. OK pump ON OK adjust fuel pressure as
required (Section 6).
NOT
OK
OK
Replace Engine Driven
Fuel Pump
Correct according
Check for induction system leaks NOT to airframe NOT Check for induction system
or obstructions. OK manufacturer’s OK leaks or obstructions.
instructions
OK
OK NOT
OK
Check idle mixture and
priming system for leaks
Probable worn or fouled spark
plugs. Perform Ignition System OK

Inspection (Section 6). Go to Possible carburetor

Section malfunction. Replace with
8-6.1. serviceable carburetor or
repair replace faulty
components

8-6 Standard Practice Maintenance Manual

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 Troubleshooting

Engine Starts, Runs Briefly,

then Stops

Verify aircraft fuel selector is set

to fullest tank.

OK

Check Fuel Tank ventilation Clear the fuel tank vent line
NOT
according to the Aircraft OK according to Aircraft Maintenance
Maintenance Manual. Manual.
OK

Check aircraft fuel strainer

NOT Clean the fuel strainer according to
according to the Aircraft OK Aircraft Maintenance Manual.
Maintenance Manual.
OK

Collect fuel sample from tank. NOT Perform Contaminated Fuel System
Inspect for contamination. OK Inspection (Section 6).

OK

Replace engine driven fuel pump

(if equipped)

8-1.5. Engine Indication Malfunctions

Abnormal Engine Indications

Go to
NOT Section
Abnormal fuel system indication. OK 8-3

OK

Go to
Abnormal lubrication system NOT Section
indication. OK 8-7

Standard Practice Maintenance Manual 8-7

15 Sep 2019
Troubleshooting
8-1.6. Engine Performance Malfunctions
Engine Runs Rich at Cruise Power ..........................................................see Section 8-3
Engine Misses at High Speed ..................................................................see Section 8-8

Poor Engine Performance

Go to
Inspect Induction System NOT Section
(Section 6). OK 8-2
OK

NOT Correct according to Airframe

Check throttle rigging OK Manufacturer’s instructions
OK

Check spark plug condition NOT Replace spark plugs

(Section 6). OK (Section 6).
OK

Cont. Flow
Carburetor Fuel System?
Fuel Injection

Check IDLE Mixture

adjustment and/or Perform Engine
accelerator pump Operational Check
operation, and/or priming (see Section 6).
system for leaks
OK NOT
NOT OK OK

Replace with serviceable

carburetor or repair/adjust NOT OK
faulty components.
Perform Cylinder
NOT Go to
Differential Pressure OK Section
Check (Section 6).
8-3
OK

Go to Repair according to
Section Section 6
8-10 Instructions.

8-8 Standard Practice Maintenance Manual

15 Sep 2019