How to Fix a Mantis Tiller That Won't Start

Mantis tillers are great little machines that pack a lot of power. But all of that potential power will do you and your garden no good if the engine will not start. A few troubleshooting steps should take care of any problems. If your efforts fail to produce any results, take your Mantis tiller to your local service dealer. They can look at it and correct any problems that basic troubleshooting will not correct.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh fuel
• Fuel stabilizer
• New fuel line
• Cloth rag or paper towel
• Spark plug removal tool
• New spark plug
• Air compressor
• New air filter

Instructions

1. Check the "On/Off" switch and be sure that the switch is in the "On" position when attempting to start the engine.

2. Check the fuel level in the fuel tank. If the fuel in the tank is old, drain the fuel and fill the tank with fresh, stabilized fuel.

3. Check the fuel line for blockage. Disconnect the fuel line and replace it with a new fuel line.

4. Disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug with a spark plug removal tool. Check the spark plug for black or white carbon fouling. Wipe the fouling off with a cloth rag or paper towel. Check the spark plug for wear and damage after wiping it clean. If signs of wear or damage are present, replace the old spark plug with a new plug (the gap should be between 0.024 -- 0.028 inches).

5. Check the air filter to be sure it is clean and in good repair. Blow the air filter off with compressed air to clean it. If it is in any way damaged, replace it with a new air filter.

References

• Mantis Tiller/Cultivator Owner's Manual (2-cycle)