There are many possible causes that can result in your riding lawnmower not turning over. Let’s talk about some of the common reasons, and how you can correct the problem.
Riding Lawnmower not Turning Over Diagnosis
Let’s start with the simple and work our way towards the more difficult.
First of all, we want to ascertain if the lawnmower isn’t turning over because of a seized engine or some other drag on the system. The first step is to remove any peripheral drag on the crankshaft. By that, we’ll remove any drive belts or deck belts. We want to isolate the engine itself.
Even a frozen spindle on the deck can prevent an engine from turning over from the electric starter motor. So go ahead and remove anything that you can to isolate the engine itself.
Tools Needed (Commissions Earned)
From here, we’ll do a quick once-over to make sure there’s no debris clogging the engine. Especially over winter, rodents are fond of creating nests in the tins that shroud the engine. This can slow the engine down enough to not turn over. Furthermore, accumulated grass clippings on the deck can slow down the deck belt. And that’s another justification to remove the deck belt.
Once we’ve removed the peripherals, we can go ahead and remove the spark plug. Since the combustion chamber is a sealed chamber, as the piston rises in the cylinder this compresses the air/fuel mix that’s in the chamber. Combustion is required for the engine to run.
In our diagnostics, we want to make things as easy as possible for the engine. By removing the spark plug, we’ve eliminated any chance of combustion. Therefore, the engine should turn over easier. Before removing the spark plug, make sure to take some compressed air and blow out the area so no debris can fall into the plug hole.
Lastly, try alternative power sources. Try a jumper pack to supply additional power, and make sure that the battery is fully charged.
At this point, if the engine still does not turn over, then you’ll want to read further about seized engines.
Riding Lawnmower not Turning Over Repair
Repairs can depend on the cause. In the case of a lawnmower not turning over, that can vary significantly. It very well could be a dead or poorly grounded battery. Perhaps the starter motor is shot or not engaging. Or, it could very well be a seized engine.
If you’ve performed the diagnostic steps, then there’s a good chance that you’ve already isolated the problem. If the engine is still not turning over then you’ll want to read further about seized engines.
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