Tips for Handling Overheating Issues in Mowers

Lawn mowers can overheat due to a number of different reasons, from the hot weather down to the state of the grass and even because of the way you use them. Overheating is something you want to avoid as it can result in a high repair bill. Not only can it cost you a lot to get your mower working again, but it also means that you’ll have to wait longer to trim the over-grown grass.

FMI Equipment is your premier lawn mower dealer located in Spokane Valley, Washington. We don’t want you to face any operating delays or issues with your machines. That’s why we have provided some easy solutions to help you deal with the problem of mower overheating. If you need additional help from our experienced staff, or if you’re looking for lawn mowers for sale, feel free to give us a call or visit our dealership.

Blocked Cutting Deck

The cutting deck is usually the widest part of your mower and beneath it are your blades. Sometimes the cutting deck can get overloaded with clippings and debris, which can cause strain to the engine as it tries to put the jammed blades to work. Simply check the engine (after turning the mower off!) or deck and make sure that there’s no debris stuck in there. 

Blocked Cooling Fins

Cooling fins are small fins that you’ll find next to the spark plug in the engine housing. These fins allow the heat created to radiate away from the engine. When these get blocked, it can cause your lawn mower to heat up very quickly. Clippings and debris can get stuck between the fins and soak up all that extra heat, trapping it in the mower. Clear away any blockages to free up the cooling fins and cool down your machine.

Engine Oil and Filter

Another common reason behind the overheating of mowers is low or old engine oil, which can harm a mower beyond just overheating. Without adequate lubrication, the moving parts face additional friction, which leads to more heat and even worn-out parts. Make sure you follow the maintenance schedule to ensure that the engine oil is in proper condition and at the right levels.

General Issues

You can also overexert your lawn mower engine when you try to get more work out of it than it’s capable of. This often happens when you’re mowing grass that’s retained a lot of moisture or heavy grass that your mower just isn’t equipped to handle. Not only can these reasons make your machine heat up, but they can also worsen things on a particularly hot day. 

If a mower does overheat, the machine might simply have low output. If you notice a change in your mower's power, stop it as soon as possible and shut off the engine to check out whether any of the above problems are causing it to overheat. 

Another symptom of an overheated mower engine can be that it will lock up or shut down, which might be a good thing because it will prevent further problems. However, it might also be a sign of some damage itself. Depending on the engine, overheating can cause even more serious damage, such as melted parts, blown gaskets, or in some extreme cases, even fire.

We hope that these tips will help you prevent your lawn mower from overheating. If you face any issues that you can’t handle, get in touch with us at FMI Equipment and let our service technicians take care of them for you. If you’re looking for lawn mowers for sale in Spokane Valley, WA, visit us to see what we have in stock right now. We’re proud to serve all of our friends coming from Spokane, WA, and Coeur d’Alene, ID.