Your lawn mower works hard in the summer heat to keep your lawn beautiful. The combination of heat and long hours of operation can put thermal stress on your lawn mower engine, but your machine should be able to keep hot temperatures under control. Under certain circumstances, there are a few issues that can cause lawn mower engine overheating.
A lawn mower engine overheating can lead components to expand, seize up, and combust. Read more to see what can cause your lawn mower engine to overheat, and how to resolve the issue.
Dirty lawn mower engine
One of the main causes of a lawn mower engine overheating is a dirty engine. Dirt and debris may get into the vents, blocking the air intake. This means the cool air cannot get to the engine to cool it.
The solution: Remove the mower casing and clean the dirt and debris caught inside. Use compressed air or a soft brush to knock debris loose. Avoid using a pressure washer because this can push water into the lawn mower engine and contaminate the fuel and oil.
Low oil level
Always check the oil level before starting your lawn mower. Another major cause of a lawn mower engine overheating is a low oil level. A low oil level is the result of lubricant not circulating through the enough. This means internal friction that generates heat is not being reduced. Friction causes heat and too much friction will lead to overheating.
The solution: Check the oil level before you start the machine and add oil if necessary. If your lawn mower is already in use, allow the lawn mower engine to cool down and then add oil. Refer to your owners manual for the correct amount of oil to add.
Damaged cooling fins or shroud
The cooling fins and shroud work to disperse heat and move it away from the lawn mower engine and into the airstream. Broken cooling fins don’t properly direct the heat away, which increases the risk of overheating.
To keep cool air around the cooling fins, the flywheel has fins that act as a radial fan. When the lawn mower engine is running, these fans bring air in from the shroud and push it around the engine to remove heat. If anything gathers on top of the shroud it can cause airflow problems.
The solution: Once this issue has been found, replace these parts to avoid overheating the lawn mower engine. Fixing this issue will also save your engine from needing a rebuild.
Fuel-air mixture
Fuel plays a role in cooling as well. It absorbs heat from the combustion chamber and keeps combustion heat at a sufficient level. If your lawn mower engine runs lean, temperatures can increase and lead to overheating.
The solution: A lean mix is commonly caused by a dirty air filter so make sure the one in your lawn mower is clean. Also, consult your owner’s manual and adjust the carburetor for a mix that is heavier on fuel.
Keep an eye on signs or overheating. As you know, this can lead to lawn mower engine failure and expensive repairs. If your lawn mower is in need of repairs or maintenance feel free to bring it to our service experts.
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Why Weingartz?
Weingartz, family owned and operated, began in 1945 as a farm supply store for local Michigan families. In the 1970s, we began to focus exclusively on outdoor power equipment. Over time, we morphed into the “power equipment superstore” that now defines all of our locations. The staff and experts at Weingartz work diligently to provide the best service possible and give honest and helpful advice to each and every customer.
Weingartz also sells parts for all outdoor power equipment at https://weingartz.com/parts-lookup.
Weingartz
46061 Van Dyke Ave.
Utica, MI 48317
(586) 731-7240
info@weingartz.com
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