Lawn Mower Overheating Solutions

After months of constant usage keeping your grass trim and neat, your lawn mower may start to struggle. One common issue that many mowers have is overheating. This problem can lead to high repair bills and equipment that’s out of commission for days at a time, leaving you in the lurch when it comes to lawn care.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take as a responsible homeowner to track and prevent the most common causes of mower overheating. Manor Home Center in Oakland is your Maryland lawn mower dealer. Read on to learn more about how you can treat and prevent overheating issues with your lawn mower.

Understand the Causes

First, it’s important to understand the cause of your lawn mower overheating. There are several different issues that may crop up, and the overall condition of your mower may also deteriorate due to weather, frequent usage or the state of your lawn.

Old Engine Oil & Dirty Filters

Failing to change the oil in your lawn mower’s engine on a regular basis can lead to overheating. This is due to the fact that oil is necessary to lubricate all the parts of your engine, reducing heat build-up and preventing the parts from wearing out. Make sure to check the oil often and change it when it becomes sludgy and opaque. Replace your oil filter at the same time you change the oil so that your oil remains cleaner and free of debris.

Blocked Cooling Fins

The small fins that are milled into your engine’s housing next to the spark plug can easily become blocked. These fins help to radiate heat away from the engine, but when grass clippings, mud and other debris adhere to the fins and stick between them, all that heat gets trapped inside your engine instead, leading to overheating. Clean out your fins regularly.

Dirty Cutting Deck

The cutting deck on your mower may also become laden with clippings and lawn debris, forcing your engine to work harder as it tries to maneuver blades that are thick with mud and jammed up. Once you turn your mower off, check the deck and clear away any stuck debris. Washing your mower regularly can help to prevent build-up, too.

Engine Problems

An engine can also become overloaded when cutting very wet or heavy grass and thick brush that it may not be designed to handle. Your mower is liable to shut off or lock up when you attempt to push it beyond its limits. The engine itself may require some maintenance and this is likely the case if your mower is otherwise clean and problem-free.

Hot Weather

While this isn’t as much of a concern in spring or fall, summer heat can be a cause of your engine overheating. All that hot sun beating down on the metal casing can contribute to the overall temperature of the engine and cause it to overheat sooner than it would on a cooler day, especially if you’re working the mower really hard. Be more vigilant when the temperature is higher outside so that you don’t overtax your machine.

Remember: if you ever need some professional assistance with lawn mower repair, you can always contact the service department here at Manor Home Center. We’ll be more than happy to schedule you an appointment with our team of professionals to get your problems addressed promptly. 

Seeking a new lawn mower instead? Browse our website to take a look at our full selection of new and used lawn mowers for sale at our dealership located in Oakland, MD. We even offer equipment financing to help you fund your lawn mower purchase. Manor Home Center proudly serves all of Garrett County, MD.