No one wants to spend an entire Saturday afternoon pushing a mower when they could be doing something else. Most common bad boy mower problems include; transaxle and hydraulic issues, deck lift failure, deck shaking, spindle, and alignment issues. You wont see them on the handle. Moreover, your mower and mower accessories will last much longer if they have a tune-up each year by a business that knows how to repair them properly. The fuel that sits in the bottom of your fuel tank is also more likely to have water. - Hi everyone, I hit a stump with this mower, blade is bent on one side and I couldn't pull the starter rope afterwards. Most of this should be solved by comparing serial numbers. I immediately smelled a strong fuel odor that lasted for several minutes. It generates a high vacuum in the engine; the oil gets absorbed by the seal and then burns in the exhaust causing the lawnmower smoking and leaking oil from the exhaust. I would definitely not use the lawnmower if it isnt running or sounding right. Thank you and God bless. How do I obtain warranty work? 4) Reattach your oil cap, turn on your machine and enjoy! The rubber gasket doesnt need any seal. Uneven grass height after cutting your lawn, Louder than normal buzzing sounds and random vibrations, The spindle fails to immediately heat up after starting up your mower. Jun 18, 2017. Avoid overfilling the coolant from a particular level. This will help identify the oil leak. A bent blade will cause your mower to vibrate, ruining your bearings and scalping your yard. This will help to prevent potential oil leaks and ensure that your equipment runs smoothly. The tip of the lawnmower blade can travel at upwards of 220 MPH. Step 5: Add Engine Oil. Also, do not do this while the spark plug is connected or the engine is hot. Prob find your problem lies there. You will still want to look up the same information using serial numbers and repair processes through the owners manual. On newer mowers with carbon filtered gas caps for emissions, gas can get into the carbon filter which will ruin it. You will need to remove any bolts on the top of the valve cover to start the repair process. You are using an out of date browser. The upper bearing ring seal has the same function as the lower bearing ring seal, but is located on the top of the engine. 1 - Belt popped off the clutch and the clutch is fine. See auction date, current bid, equipment specs, and seller information for each lot . In today's video, I talk about a bunch of different reasons why you could have oil leaking on to your lawn mower's deck.The content in this video might not b. Hit blind stump, bent blade bad, replaced blade, no start. Otherwise, I would contact the manufacturer directly to see if it even something that can be repaired and ask for authorized repair shops in your area. Seals, particularly made of high-strength rubber, fit over the top of the valve stem inside a small collar of the engine in your lawnmower. Good examples of why this is so important: After each use, cleaning your cutting deck from any grass cuttings and debris is essential. A reasonable amount of vibration but it now works ok. Take of the replacement blade and 2 more whacks with the sledge, then put back the original blade and it works just fine now with no real vibration. 3) Wipe down the area beneath your lawn mower to remove excess oil. Dont get more gas than you can use in two weeks, Make sure your fuel caps are not cracked, broken, or missing, Agitate your fuel cans before pouring, especially with your mixed fuel, Use a quality 2-cycle oil, adequately mixed, for 2-cycle engine, If a unit is going to sit for an extended length of time, the fuel system should be drained properly. Next I would pull the valve cover off and look at the intake rod and make sure it's not bent or broken. If there is a buildup of oil around the seal, or if the seal itself is noticeably worn, the upper bearing ring seal is likely the cause of the oil leak. There are videos on YouTube of people straightening lawnmower shafts with sledgehammers. The cylinder head seals by the head gasket, and it avoids the mixing of water and oil, and it also prevents the excretion of oil and water from the chamber. And always handle it with care. Your first step is to see where the leak has originated. And is that any indication of the problem I am having starting it? You will probably end up needing a major repair. For extra lubrication, combine the engine oil with 20 percent Marvel Mystery Oil. Generate milky oil by mixing oil and coolant due to hidden leakage in the engine passageways. Spray a generous amount of spray lubricant or penetrating oil into the spark plug hole, and wait for 10 minutes before rocking the blade. The only difficulty I had was removing the nut that secures the flywheel. Considering you are dealing with a new lawn mower, I wold be more inclined to take it to an authorized repair shop. Get up and move around, drink some water, and give your eyes a break from looking at the same thing in the same spot. Pull the starter cord with the plug out to get a feel for the severity of the problem and to clear the oil from the combustion chamber. Once bent, the shaft is weaker, and it might have some microscopic cracks that will worsen over time, resulting in a break that could send the blade flying. Grey / Blue Smoke Lawn Mower Smoking and Leaking Oil from Exhaust. First, identify where the gas is leaking from; replace the carburettor bowl gasket if it's from the bottom. A. If you follow these rules, you shouldn't have any problems. Connect the vacuum line to the pressure regulator and install the retainer screw. Did you actually hit a stump or rock? My mower blade came to a screeching halt on a big tree root and it was shaking like crazy after thatoverheating too. While your mower will get the job done a lot faster than you could, this is not a very cost-effective method. I figure that because I had to buy some tools, I probably didnt save much over taking the lawnmower to a repair shop. They know that the producing company will be the one to pay the price. It might be due to some mistake or mishandling by you. Q. Once a head gasket has failed it can lead to other engine issues that can harm the unit in different ways; Gasket repair is much more expensive and costly than making a replacement. They keep our lawns tidy and help us manage outdoor spaces, but like all tools, they must be used appropriately to work effectively and last long! The engine becomes noisy and causes a fuel smell. This ring seals the point at which the crankshaft enters the crankcase. Air filter compartments can make cozy places for mice to live. It doesnt mention that it can be used for small engines, avoid using it. iii. Could I have got it done for $35? Grasp and pull on the regulator to ensure that it is well seated. Contact your nearest authorized John Deere dealer . To confirm if the lower bearing ring seal is the source of the leak, wipe away any oil buildup around the suspected area and return the mower to its normal position (flat on its wheels). 52 Most of these issues arent too challenging to fix, but finding the correct cause can be tricky yet helpful. You can replace old parts with new ones and test each injector for fuel flow comparison. The best way to avoid this is to hose off your cutting deck after each use. ii. Thanks, everyone! First, notice the intensity of the smoke. You should take a look in your owners manual. Plus pull spark plug out stick long screw driver in the hole turn over by hand by using the flywheel cover see if piston moves the screw driver. Use a clean cloth to catch fuel spillage, and carefully pull the regulator from the fuel bar. Its purpose is to avoid leakage of coolant or engine oil into the cylinders and to seal the cylinders to ensure maximum compression. . Should I stop using the mower, or take my chances? Often the seals will only leak during and immediately after use. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I shut it down and took the deck off and saw that the blades were hitting and figured I bent one. If the oil leak is coming from the bottom of the engine, near the base, it is likely because of a problem in the oil tank or oil sump. White or blue smoke may indicate an oil spill on the engine. Smoke from the exhaust is an indication of the attention-seeking engine problem. . : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? Lawn mower blades are manufactured with strict standards and tolerances for your safety. Great Example: Out of Control Lawn Mower Blade Lands Inches From Baby. if so that's where your oil is coming from. The question is whether the flywheel on your lawnmower has a key that is designed to shear in the same way as the the one on the Briggs and Stratton engine. Altering the edge can cause property damage, personal injury, and death. As the crankshaft rotates it will wear the seal. Black smoke from the exhaust pipe is not an indication if it disappears when you come to a stop. We can offer you custom troubleshooting help if you search with your model number. 2) Carefully remove the oil cap and pour out or siphon out the excess oil. 7 Steps to Follow to Troubleshoot a Lawn Mower Issue: Step 1- Pull off the Cover First, you pull the two screws that hold the cover. Disengage the vacuum channel from the pressure regulator. Sharpen as needed and keep them both tightly fastened. 03:06. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry. In order to confirm that you have a bent blade, youll need to take the deck off and inspect it. I ended up on the Lowes website, saw that they had a lawnmower on sale for $100 off. Substandard power output generated by ethanol fuels blended with gasoline. Cold engine; When the engine first starts up, the remaining oil gets absorbed down into the combustion chamber by the bad seal. Inspect the mower after hitting the stump to make sure that the deck is undamaged. If you can remove the flywheel, you should notice a buildup of oil underneath. So that the fuel system can perform properly according to its particular pressure range. Seriously affect the efficiency and performance of the mower. As with any repair process, check your owners manual for details on the repair process. Your mower engine needs air circulation to prevent overheating. If the rock in your lawn is a big one that you cant move, there are still ways to trim the grass around it. It is taken a few pulls now to start and just sounds like something is loose. I like this one because its very small and lightweight. Smoke from the exhaust is an indication of the attention-seeking engine problem. DIY Savings: The parts would have cost the same. Why? Nothing to lose except $350 for a new mower. It can make it difficult for the engine to start because of low pressure. The first option is the upper ring seal. Like others said look at flywheel key. 7. Seals can be a bit more complicated, but they are relatively simple. (Thank you both for that post, it gave me confidence to proceed!) Bad fuel, a plugged air filter, and clogged fuel components can cause your mower to die when it is unable to get the air and fuel it requires to keep running. Sure enough, the flywheel key was in two pieces. We want your property (whether new or old) to look its best at all times. You can learn more about this here. It has gas in it; the spark plug is new and th read more Pull the oil dipstick out of the engine and reinsert it firmly. Avoid using compressed air to test or clean a fuel pressure regulator. I cleaned the engine very thoroughly and then ran it to locate the exact point of leakage. The mower shut off immediately, but when I fired it back up and turned on the mower deck I heard metal crashing together. A lot of times this can be fixed with a head gasket or new set of valves. If the filter is very dirty it may need to be replaced. Another potential error comes from the oil fill hose or seal, which can potentially leak if a sharp object flies into it. Check your owners manual and dipstick for further information on the right level of oil. They keep our lawns tidy and help us manage outdoor spaces, but like all tools, they must be used appropriately to work effectively and last long! I was mowing on my JD 445 when I hit a stump with the front of the mower deck. We stopped one time on the way to the garage (mower was rolling along fine) to try starting one more time. In this article, we will discuss each potential problem in-depth and . 12. It is not covered unless it is related to a defect in material or workmanship. Thanks again!!! The most common reasons why oil is coming out of your lawnmower exhaust are fluids shifting from tilting the lawnmower on its side, an overfilled crankcase, or a damaged piston ring. You may need to use your lawn mowers model number to find replacement parts. the engine turns on but it vibrates in such a way the looks like the shaft might be out of aligment. Make sure to inspect belts and hoses properly, and replacing them before failure can prevent head gasket failure. Then pull the one for the side cover. Sorry, I am not sure how to explain the sound. After I changed the blade, the mower ran better. Too much engine oil in a Kubota lawn mower may cause engine damage due to overheating, seal damage, blown gaskets, or a hydrolocked engine. But with the extra flywheel key on hand, and the new tools in my toolbox, the next time I need to replace the flywheel key, it wont cost me anything. jkason. Mowing at steep angles can also cause the same issues for the same reasons. Page 1 of 1. If it is coming out of the tube itself, the tube may be cracked or damaged. When the oil is leaking on your deck, your first step is to find the source. Any damage or loss to persons or property that may result from use of information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Brant Small Engine Repair.Brant Small Engine Repair encourages the use of safe practices and safety equipment while working on your machines and therefore assumes no responsibility for personal injuries. The seal is pressed into the engine castings and forms a seal against the crankshaft. 1.1 Fix: Tipping the mower or using it at a steep angle. You may be able to easily fix your problem by correcting the engine oil level, but it may not be that simple. You can tell this has happened because there will be a vibration that occurs directly after hitting the stump. Our masters are good at working with any kind of lawn mower damage, repair and replacements and the price is always kept leveled and balanced! Tipping may occur while you change . The last step was to dig out the stump and remaining roots. The news website ArlingtonCardinal.com in Illinois reported in May 2013 that a man had been injured when a rock hit him in the face. That extra oxygen will oxidize the fuel and create fuel system corrosion. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? It could cause fires. Repairs were relatively easy with the help of your article and the videos. Does an electric motor have a flywheel as a gas mower does, or could it be some other motor issue? The motor starts and runs perfectly. For the purposes of this story, little problem means tree stump. The lawnmower screeched to an abrupt halt as I cursed my own stupidity for hitting an obstacle that I have been successfully avoiding for years. 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