April 19, 2023

Riding Mowers & Tractors: Why does my riding mower run rough or misfire?

If your riding mower's e engine runs rough or misfires, the carburetor could be clogged.. Rebuild or replace the carburetor if it's clogged. If the engine runs rough after hitting a rock or stump, check the flywheel key-a damaged flywheel key will disrupt the ignition timing.

Check for fuel, oil or carbon deposits on the spark plug. Replace the spark plug if it's fouled.

Bad fuel causes a rough-running engine. Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh gasoline if the fuel is over 6 months old. Use fuel stabilizer to keep the gasoline fresh.

Low cylinder compression causes a rough running engine. Check and adjust the valve lash on the engine if you find low cylinder compression.

Tune up the mower's the engine each season to keep the riding mower running smoothly.

riding mowers & tractors

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR RIDING MOWERS & TRACTORS PROBLEM

JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-carburetor-assembly

Replace the riding mower carburetor assembly

The carburetor mixes gas with air before the fuel goes into the cylinder. If the gas/air mix isn't balanced, the engine won't start or the engine will run rough and stall when you try to drive the riding mower. A damaged carburetor may also leak gas. Replace the carburetor if it causes any of these symptoms.

Riding mower carburetor assembly

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Carburetor-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower carburetor

When a lawn tractor engine surges or is hard to start, the problem could be a clogged or damaged carburetor. This DIY repair guide and video show how you can replace the riding lawn mower carburetor yourself.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
JC-RM-Rebuild-the-riding-mower-engine-carburetor

Rebuild the riding mower engine carburetor

The carburetor mixes fuel with air to create a combustible mixture that enters the engine cylinder and ignites to drive the piston. Impurities in gasoline can clog the carburetor, preventing the engine from starting. Carburetor clogs can also cause the engine to run rough and the engine may stall when you try to drive the riding mower. Seals and gaskets in the carburetor eventually wear out and can leak gas. Use a carburetor rebuild kit to refurbish a clogged or leaking carburetor.

Rebuild the riding mower engine carburetor

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Rebuild-a-Riding-Mower-Carburetor-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to rebuild a riding lawn mower carburetor

Does your riding lawn mower engine run rough or misfire? The carburetor might be clogged or worn. This DIY repair guide and video show how to rebuild the carburetor in a riding lawn mower in about an hour.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
JC-RM-Tune-up-the-riding-mower-engine

Tune up the riding mower engine

The engine tune-up includes routine maintenance for a riding lawn mower or tractor. Engine performance suffers if you don't regularly tune up the engine. A poor-running engine may stall when you try to drive the mower. You may notice uneven cuts if the engine doesn't run smoothly when you're mowing grass. Routinely tune up the engine by replacing the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter and spark plug. The tune-up also includes checking the ignition, carburetor, battery, throttle and choke controls, as well as cleaning the engine cooling fins.

Tune up the riding mower engine

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Fuel-Filter-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

If your riding lawn mower’s engine runs rough or won't run, the fuel filter could be dirty. This repair guide and video show how to easily replace the fuel filter on your riding lawn mower in 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Spark-Plug-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower spark plug

If your riding lawn mower engine runs rough or is hard to start, it might be because the spark plug is damaged. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace the spark plug on a riding mower in 15 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Air-Filter-Intro-Image
March 01, 2017

How to replace the air filter on a riding lawn mower

If your riding lawn mower runs rough or stalls after starting, the air filter could be dirty. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace a clogged riding mower air filter in less than 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-engine-fuel-filter

Replace the riding mower engine fuel filter

The engine fuel filter screens impurities from the gasoline going to the carburetor. A clogged fuel filter won't allow gas to flow to the carburetor so the engine won't start. A damaged filter won't screen impurities from the gasoline, resulting in a clogged carburetor. Replace the engine fuel filter if it's damaged or clogged.

Riding mower engine fuel filter

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Fuel-Filter-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

If your riding lawn mower’s engine runs rough or won't run, the fuel filter could be dirty. This repair guide and video show how to easily replace the fuel filter on your riding lawn mower in 15 minutes.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-spark-plug

Replace the riding mower spark plug

The spark plug gets electrical current from the ignition system and sparks to ignite the fuel mixture in the cylinder, which drives the piston. The spark plug won't spark if it's coated with carbon deposits or oil residue, or if there's a crack in the ceramic insulator. The engine won't start if the spark plug is bad. A 2-cylinder engine runs rough when one of the spark plugs goes bad. Replace the spark plug if it's damaged or coated with residue.

Riding mower spark plug

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Spark-Plug-Intro-Image
January 01, 2015

How to replace a riding lawn mower spark plug

If your riding lawn mower engine runs rough or is hard to start, it might be because the spark plug is damaged. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace the spark plug on a riding mower in 15 minutes or less.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
JC-RM-Replace-the-riding-mower-engine-flywheel-key

Replace the riding mower engine flywheel key

The flywheel key is a small metal rectangle that keeps the crankshaft and flywheel aligned when you tighten the flywheel nut. To protect more expensive components from damage, the flywheel key is designed to shear if the mower blade hits an object like a rock or tree stump hard enough to make the flywheel slip out of alignment with the crankshaft. If the flywheel shear slightly, the engine runs rough or misfires. If the flywheel key breaks or shears severely, your riding mower engine stops running and won't start. If the flywheel key breaks or shears, replace it.

Riding mower engine flywheel key

Find the required part specific to your product.

RG-RM-Replace-a-Riding-Mower-Flywheel-Key-Intro-Image
March 01, 2017

How to replace the flywheel key on a riding lawn mower

If the spark plug sparks but the engine won't start, the flywheel key could have sheared off (did you hit a rock and come to a sudden stop?) This repair guide and video show how to replace a flywheel key on a riding mower.

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less

Most common symptoms to help you fix your riding mowers & tractors

Choose a symptom to see related riding mower and lawn tractor repairs.

Main causes: punctured tire or inner tube, leaky valve stem, damaged wheel rim…

Main causes: clogged carburetor, damaged flywheel key, dirty spark plug, stale fuel, improper valve lash, engine needs a…

Main causes: worn or broken ground drive belt, bad seat switch, transaxle freewheel control engaged, transaxle failure, …

Main causes: damaged tie rods, bent or worn wheel spindle, worn front axle, damaged sector gear assembly…

Main causes: engine overfilled with oil, leaky head gasket or sump gasket, damaged carburetor seals, cracked fuel pump, …

Main causes: shift lever needs adjustment, neutral control needs adjustment…

Main causes: worn or broken blade belt, broken belt idler pulley, blade clutch cable failure, bad PTO switch, damaged ma…

Main causes: damaged cutting blade, worn deck pulley, damaged mandrel pulley, loose fasteners on mower deck components…

Main causes: faulty battery, bad alternator…

Most common repair guides to help fix your riding mowers & tractors

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

How to replace a riding lawn mower rear tire

Your mower can’t run on a damaged rear tire. Here’s how to install a new one.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

How to replace a riding lawn mower blade

If a blade on your mower is dull or bent, replace it following the steps in this repair guide.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

How to replace a riding lawn mower fuel filter

Help your mower run better by replacing the fuel filter during your riding mower's annual tune-up.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your riding mowers & tractors

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your riding mower or lawn tractor.

How to remove a lawn mower blade using a removal tool

How to remove a lawn mower blade using a removal tool

Learn how a blade removal tool makes replacing the blade easier and safer…

Charging a battery in a riding lawn mower video

Charging a battery in a riding lawn mower video

Learn how to use a battery charger if your mower battery is dead.…

Riding mower and tractor common questions

Riding mower and tractor common questions

You might find the answers to your questions about your riding mower or lawn tractor in this list of frequently asked qu…