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Doosan HC Series Troubleshooting

Doosan HC Series troubleshooting: 77 symptom-cause-remedy entries from the manufacturer's own service documentation.

Doosan HC Series — full specs, parts & maintenance.

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Troubleshooting

77

Symptoms & remedies

SymptomCauseRemedy
High oil pressureOil too heavyDrain, refill with proper oil
High oil pressureClogged oil passageClean all lines and passages
High oil pressureOil relief valve stuckRemove and clean
High oil pressureDefective oil pressure gaugeReplace
Plant starts but does not continue to runSTART button released too soonHold in contact longer
Plant starts but does not continue to runDefective charging generatorRepair
Plant starts but does not continue to runDefective panel equipmentSee Controls
Engine backfires at carburetorLean fuel mixtureClean carburetor
Engine backfires at carburetorClogged fuel screenClean screen
Engine backfires at carburetorIntake air leakReplace flange gaskets, tighten carburetor
Engine backfires at carburetorPoor fuelRefill with good, fresh fuel
Engine backfires at carburetorSpark too lateRetime ignition
Engine backfires at carburetorSpark plug wires crossedInstall wires correctly
Engine backfires at carburetorIntake valves leakingGrind or replace
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustWorn piston ringsInstall new piston rings
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustOil leaks from engine or connections (this does not cause smoky exhaust)Replace gaskets or leaking tubing; tighten screws and connections
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustOil too light or dilutedDrain, refill with correct oil
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustToo large bearing clearanceReplace bearings
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustOil pressure too highRefer to symptoms of high oil pressure for remedies
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustEngine misfiresRefer to symptoms of engine misfires
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustFaulty ignitionClean, adjust, or replace breaker points, plugs, condenser, etc., or retime ignition
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustUnit operated at light or no load for long periodsNo remedy needed
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustToo much oilDrain excess oil
Black, smoky exhaust, excessive fuel consumption, fouling of spark plugs with black soot, possible lack of power under heavy loadFuel mixture too richAdjust choke. Install needed carburetor parts, adjust float level
Black, smoky exhaust, excessive fuel consumption, fouling of spark plugs with black soot, possible lack of power under heavy loadChoke not openSee that choke opens properly
Black, smoky exhaust, excessive fuel consumption, fouling of spark plugs with black soot, possible lack of power under heavy loadDirty air cleanerClean, refill to proper level
Light pounding knockLoose connecting rod bearingReplace
Light pounding knockLow oil supplyAdd oil
Light pounding knockLow oil pressureRefer to symptoms of low oil pressure for remedies
Light pounding knockOil badly dilutedChange oil
Engine stops unexpectedlyFuel tank emptyRefill
Engine stops unexpectedlyFuel pump failureRepair or replace
Engine stops unexpectedlyHigh water temperatureSee symptoms for engine overheating
Engine stops unexpectedlyDefective ignitionCheck the ignition system. Repair or replace parts necessary
Dull metallic thud, if not bad, may disappear after few minutes operation. If bad, increases with loadLoose crankshaftReplace bearings, unless one of the next three remedies permanently corrects the trouble
Sharp metallic thud, especially when cold engine first startedLow oil supplyAdd oil
Sharp metallic thud, especially when cold engine first startedLow oil pressureRefer to symptoms of low pressure for remedies
Sharp metallic thud, especially when cold engine first startedOil badly dilutedChange oil
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedCarbon in cylindersRemove carbon
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedSpark too earlyRetime ignition
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedWrong spark plugsInstall correct plugs
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedSpark plugs burned or carbonedInstall new plugs
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedValves hotAdjust tappet clearance
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedFuel stale or low octaneUse good fresh fuel
Pinging sound when engine is rapidly accelerated or heavily loadedLean fuel mixtureClean or adjust carburetor
Engine cranks too stifflyToo heavy oil in crankcaseDrain, refill with lighter oil
Engine cranks too stifflyEngine stuckDisassemble and repair
Engine will not start when crankedFaulty ignitionClean, adjust, or replace breaker points, plugs, condenser, etc. or retime ignition
Engine will not start when crankedLack of fuel or faulty carburetionRefill the tank. Check the fuel system. Clean, adjust, or replace parts necessary
Engine will not start when crankedClogged fuel screenClean
Engine will not start when crankedCylinders floodedCrank few times with spark plugs removed
Engine will not start when crankedPoor fuelDrain, refill with good fuel
Engine will not start when crankedPoor compressionTighten cylinder head and spark plugs. If still not corrected, grind the valves. Replace piston rings, if necessary
Engine will not start when crankedWrong timingRetime ignition
Engine will not start when crankedPoor chokingIf plant is cold, adjust choke. If plant is warm, pull up on choke arm momentarily, while cranking
Engine runs but current does not build upPoor brush contact or dirty commutator or slip ringsSee that brushes seat well, are free in holders, are not worn too short, and have good spring tension
Engine runs but current does not build upOpen circuit, short circuit or ground in generatorSee GENERATOR, replace part necessary
Current unsteady but engine not misfiringSpeed too lowAdjust governor to correct speed
Current unsteady but engine not misfiringPoor commutation or brush contactSee that brushes seat well on commutator and slip rings, are free in holders, are not worn too short, and have good spring tension
Current unsteady but engine not misfiringLoose connectionsTighten connections
Current unsteady but engine not misfiringFluctuating loadCorrect any abnormal load condition
Tapping soundTappet clearance too greatAdjust or replace tappets
Tapping soundBroken valve springInstall new spring
Hollow clicking sound with cool engine under loadLoose pistonsIf noise only slight and disappears when engine warms up, no immediate attention needed. Otherwise replace worn parts
Voltage low at far end of line but normal near power unitToo small line wire for load and distanceInstall larger or extra wires or reduce load
Motors run too slowly and overheat at far end of line but OK near power unitToo small line wire for load and distanceInstall larger or extra wires, or reduce load
Noisy brushesHigh mica between bars of commutatorUndercut mica
Excessive arcing of brushesRough commutator or ringsTurndown
Excessive arcing of brushesDirty commutator or ringsClean
Excessive arcing of brushesHigh micaUndercut mica
Excessive arcing of brushesBrush rig out of positionLine up marks on brush rig and support
Engine overheatingLow water in radiatorRefill radiator
Engine overheatingOverloadedRemove part of load
Engine overheatingImproper lubricationSee Low Oil Pressure
Engine overheatingRadiator obstructedClean radiator
Engine overheatingIgnition timing lateAdjust ignition timing
Engine overheatingImproper ventilationProvide for better air change

Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.

Cross-brand guides for these symptoms

Common questions

Doosan HC Series: Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaust — what causes it?

Documented causes: Worn piston rings; Oil leaks from engine or connections (this does not cause smoky exhaust); Oil too light or diluted; Too large bearing clearance. See the table for the matching fixes.

Doosan HC Series: Engine will not start when cranked — what causes it?

Documented causes: Faulty ignition; Lack of fuel or faulty carburetion; Clogged fuel screen; Cylinders flooded. See the table for the matching fixes.

Doosan HC Series: Engine backfires at carburetor — what causes it?

Documented causes: Lean fuel mixture; Clogged fuel screen; Intake air leak; Poor fuel. See the table for the matching fixes.