Manual for PREDATOR 212 - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download

Manual for PREDATOR 212 - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download

Brand: PREDATOR ENGINES

Category: Engine

Manual Type:

Language:

Uploaded: April 8, 2025, 1:10 p.m.

Warranty Summary

The product has a limited 90-day warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
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Pre-Start Checks:

  • Inspect engine and equipment for damage.
  • Check and fill engine oil.
  • Check and fill fuel.

Manual Start:

  • Move Choke to CHOKE position (cold start) or RUN position (warm start).
  • Open Fuel Valve.
  • Slide Throttle lever to 1/3 open.
  • Turn Engine Switch ON.
  • Pull Starter Handle to start.

Stopping the Engine:

  • In emergency, turn Engine Switch off.
  • Normally, slide Throttle to SLOW.
  • Turn Engine Switch off.
  • Close Fuel Valve.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions
Engine will not start FUEL RELATED:
1. No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed.
2. Choke not in CHOKE position, cold engine.
3. Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol used. (E15, E20, E85, etc.)
4. Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline.
5. Carburetor not primed.
6. Dirty fuel passageways.
7. Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel can be smelled in the air.
8. Too much fuel in chamber. This can be caused by the carburetor needle sticking.
9. Clogged Fuel Filter.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Spark plug cap not connected securely.
2. Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.
3. Incorrect spark plug gap.
4. Spark plug cap broken.
5. Circuit breaker tripped (electric start models only).
6. Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition system.
COMPRESSION RELATED:		 FUEL RELATED:
1. Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve.
2. Move Choke to CHOKE position.
3. Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel system. Replace components damaged by ethanol. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline only.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
4. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
5. Pull on Starter Handle to prime.
6. Clean out passageways using fuel additive. Heavy deposits may require further cleaning.
7. Gently tap side of carburetor float chamber with screwdriver handle.
8. Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark plug and pull the start handle several times to air out the chamber. Reinstall spark plug and set Choke to CHOKE position.
9. Replace Fuel Filter.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Connect spark plug cap properly.
2. Clean spark plug.
3. Correct spark plug gap.
4. Replace spark plug cap.
5. Reset circuit breaker. Check wiring and starter motor if breaker continues to trip.
6. Have qualified technician diagnose/ repair ignition system.
COMPRESSION RELATED:
Engine misfires 1. Spark plug cap loose.
2. Incorrect spark plug gap or damaged spark plug.
3. Defective spark plug cap.
4. Old or low quality gasoline.
5. Incorrect compression.		 1. Check wire connections.
2. Re-gap or replace spark plug.
3. Replace spark plug cap.
4. Use only fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
5. Diagnose and repair compression. (Use Engine will not start: COMPRESSION RELATED section.)
Engine stops suddenly 1. Low oil shutdown.
2. Fuel tank empty or full of impure or low quality gasoline.
3. Defective fuel tank cap creating vacuum, preventing proper fuel flow.
4. Faulty magneto.
5. Disconnected or improperly connected spark plug cap.		 1. Fill engine oil to proper level. Check engine oil before EVERY use.
2. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
3. Test/replace fuel tank cap.
4. Have qualified technician service magneto.
5. Secure spark plug cap.
Engine stops when under heavy load 1. Dirty air filter
2. Engine running cold.		 1. Clean or replace element.
2. Allow engine to warm up prior to operating equipment.
Engine knocks 1. Old or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine overloaded.
3. Incorrect spark timing, deposit buildup, worn engine, or other mechanical problems.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
2. Do not exceed equipment's load rating.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
Engine backfires 1. Impure or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine too cold.
3. Intake valve stuck or overheated engine.
4. Incorrect timing.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
2. Use cold weather fuel and oil additives to prevent backfiring.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
4. Check engine timing.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions
Engine will not start FUEL RELATED:
1. No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed.
2. Choke not in CHOKE position, cold engine.
3. Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol used. (E15, E20, E85, etc.)
4. Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline.
5. Carburetor not primed.
6. Dirty fuel passageways.
7. Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel can be smelled in the air.
8. Too much fuel in chamber. This can be caused by the carburetor needle sticking.
9. Clogged Fuel Filter.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Spark plug cap not connected securely.
2. Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.
3. Incorrect spark plug gap.
4. Spark plug cap broken.
5. Circuit breaker tripped (electric start models only).
6. Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition system.
COMPRESSION RELATED:		 FUEL RELATED:
1. Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve.
2. Move Choke to CHOKE position.
3. Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel system. Replace components damaged by ethanol. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline only.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
4. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
5. Pull on Starter Handle to prime.
6. Clean out passageways using fuel additive. Heavy deposits may require further cleaning.
7. Gently tap side of carburetor float chamber with screwdriver handle.
8. Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark plug and pull the start handle several times to air out the chamber. Reinstall spark plug and set Choke to CHOKE position.
9. Replace Fuel Filter.
IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Connect spark plug cap properly.
2. Clean spark plug.
3. Correct spark plug gap.
4. Replace spark plug cap.
5. Reset circuit breaker. Check wiring and starter motor if breaker continues to trip.
6. Have qualified technician diagnose/ repair ignition system.
COMPRESSION RELATED:
Engine misfires 1. Spark plug cap loose.
2. Incorrect spark plug gap or damaged spark plug.
3. Defective spark plug cap.
4. Old or low quality gasoline.
5. Incorrect compression.		 1. Check wire connections.
2. Re-gap or replace spark plug.
3. Replace spark plug cap.
4. Use only fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
5. Diagnose and repair compression. (Use Engine will not start: COMPRESSION RELATED section.)
Engine stops suddenly 1. Low oil shutdown.
2. Fuel tank empty or full of impure or low quality gasoline.
3. Defective fuel tank cap creating vacuum, preventing proper fuel flow.
4. Faulty magneto.
5. Disconnected or improperly connected spark plug cap.		 1. Fill engine oil to proper level. Check engine oil before EVERY use.
2. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
3. Test/replace fuel tank cap.
4. Have qualified technician service magneto.
5. Secure spark plug cap.
Engine stops when under heavy load 1. Dirty air filter
2. Engine running cold.		 1. Clean or replace element.
2. Allow engine to warm up prior to operating equipment.
Engine knocks 1. Old or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine overloaded.
3. Incorrect spark timing, deposit buildup, worn engine, or other mechanical problems.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
2. Do not exceed equipment's load rating.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
Engine backfires 1. Impure or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine too cold.
3. Intake valve stuck or overheated engine.
4. Incorrect timing.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).
2. Use cold weather fuel and oil additives to prevent backfiring.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
4. Check engine timing.