Zero Turn Mower Dies After A Few Minutes, Runs For A While Then Cuts Off Easy Fix For A Common Issue

[@frankie7508]

It's why individualized repair is one of the very best small engine professionals. He is one of my go-to guys to learn from his superior experience and advice. He's right up there with donyboy73 and steve's small engine saloon. What a professional, and great job!

[@IndRepair]

What a compliment. Those are some good channels... Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

I agree he is a very talented and skilled mechanic that is great at teaching 😊

[@TheJamesCraft]

I've replaced everything there is to replace to fix up a Facebook marketplace mower find (Toro Timecutter SS5000). Gas lines and pump we're all new but mower kept dying after running for about ten minutes. I thought I was overheating. To my joy, I mis-clicked your video and this was my issue. For the first time, I mowed my entire yard without as much as a stutter of lag today. Thank you very much for this video and time you put into it because this made my life.

[@IndRepair]

Awesome news! Great job!!

[@baddad5781]

Obsolutly one of the most informative videos on an odd problem I've ever seen. The odd issues are the ones where you learn the most valuable information. It may come in very helpful in the future. Again thanks for sharing this. Very helpful to know.

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!!

[@garyalford9394]

Seems like they could design a better system for call the money they charge for their mowers! I mean how hard could it be !!

[@IndRepair]

I am not an air intake scientist but...

[@gckshea]

Great step-by-step process! I have a JD L111 with the Intek 20hp V-Twin. It developed a 15-30 minute run/die issue as well. Both spark plugs were firing, but the engine seemed starved for fuel after 20 minutes, under load. I could choke it and then seemed to recover. It made me head toward a fueling issue. I tested fuel pump output....it was...ok, but seemed weak. Easy change, and cheap enough. No solution- same issues. I rechecked valves lash and push rod integrity...fine. Checked compression...fine. I blew out the fuel line, looking for a debris clog, but it was fine. I pulled the carb (single barrel Nikki) and it was clean clean. Not much to adjust, all passages were clean, but I still ran a wire, carb cleaner, and air. Reinstalled carb and still the 20 minute death, only this time it acted like flooding...the choke did not help. I took off the air filter, and it was FLOODED!! Whaaat? Then a light went on...pull the plug wire when it's hot and see if it'll run on each cylinder independently. Nope! The right ("passenger") side was dead. Just to be sure, the right coil secondary tested at 20k ohms. The left was 4.5k ohms, confirming the failed coil. I switched plugs to rule them out. Still right sided death. Diagnosis: malfunctioning ignition coil under load and when hot. I changed out both and it runs like new! Wow! Lesson for me with this engine: rule out ignition issues FIRST! A dead cylinder will breathe raw fuel just as if it's firing, only with half the power. The governor will go wide open, trying to maintain power and this is just dumping raw gas unburned...with wide open butterflies. It floods, and appears as a carb/fueling issue. Great lesson, and your video diagnosis sequences confirmed my findings

[@IndRepair]

Awesome news! Glad you got it taken care of. Thanks for watching!

[@blackhorse2947]

I have a bad boy elite with 41.4 hours on it….. Mowing 2 areas and suddenly after about 2 hr motor will try to stop. I fan it with the choke in order to get back to my barn. At 76yo, I remember mowing yards as a kid and my old mower would vapor lock. 3 or 4 wooden close line pins and it never missed a beat. I did the same to my bad boy, and thought it was working ok, until this issue came up about quit running. After watching your video, I loosened my fuel cap maybe a 1/3 turn. I moved 35 minutes and no faults. To hot now here in OKC 105, I will go again in the morning ….. This is a great learning video for the DIY’r……… Many thanks to you…….👍

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@scottf6604]

Outstanding detective work. That said, on the first mower it wold have been interesting to see what smeg can out of the fuel tank when you cleaned it. Thanks much for the video

[@IndRepair]

Thank you! It has a forest in there, definitely would have been good to show hmm

[@Goodgreen]

Gonna try some of these solutions. I have an ExMark Radius e-series I use for a lawn care service. Same problem, stalling after a certain run time. Often 20 minutes or even 2 days. Then stalling every 5 minutes or less. As I'm not super mechanical, I went to my local dealer (non ExMark) an a distant ExMark dealer. Neither found the problem and I paid about $230 in service fees for labor. Been going on for 2 months! Luckily I have a backup machine.

[@IndRepair]

I see this about 5 times a year from other places coming in with this issue

[@IndRepair]

Hope it helps you get it going!

[@MarkPrice-qe2md]

Just last week I fixed this problem on my neighbors zero turn Cub Cadet. His was clogged in the elbow though. It would run at low RPM but run out of gas under load or full throttle. Great video!

[@IndRepair]

Definitely happens often! Thank you!

[@AlPelham]

Perfect, thanks. Wish I'd watched and tried this first.

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help!

[@AlPelham]

@@IndRepairand today I finally took the time to remove and clean the carburetor, I think my problem is now completely resolved. Thanks again!

[@IndRepair]

@AlPelham awesome news! Great job

[@Gadget_Evaluator]

Thanks for this video. Saved me a lot of grief!

[@IndRepair]

Great job! Glad to help

[@chrisa1125]

Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable knowledge... awesome video!

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@my2cents930]

Thank you bro, awesome info. I'm having the same problems on a Zero Turn. I know it was fuel related. but just didn't know where to look. This was a great tutorial!

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Good luck getting it taken care of. I have faith you will figure it out!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Real time diag. Now you’re talkin’ my language, Martin! 👍 One thing I would beg to disagree with - the diag of disconnecting and checking spark at the beginning. If the machine had already been running then we know at least one cylinder has air, compression, timing and spark. Simply feeling the temps of both valve covers will immediately eliminate a non-contributing cylinder. If both feel equally warm then we’ve essentially ruled out those same 4 requirements altogether, at which time everything points to a fuel issue and I’d continue the same way you did. Given that hard charging operators of these machines tend to not refuel carefully I think the fuel filler neck requires a removable screen like so many other machines and fuel cans have from the factory. I also think the small right angle fitting ought to be replaced with something that is curved with a larger ID to allow debris to actually get to the fuel filter, where it would be visually obvious and easy to replace. Your thoughts?

[@IndRepair]

The only reason I do not feel valve covers to see if an engine is firing is because it is possible for them to be warm because they are firing but not running on that side because of a stuck valve. I will do a video on this next time I see it. A removable screen on the end of the tube would work perfectly

[@andrecampbell691]

Had a similar intermittent problem with a Toro 6050. After draining the fuel tank, I found a few pieces of leaf covering the fuel outlet. After the leaf material was removed, it worked great.

[@IndRepair]

Definitely! I always wondered how something like this happens then one day I mowed my lawn and got done and the fuel cap was still sitting in between the seat and open fuel tank. There were pieces of pine tree and grass all in the tank spout...think I figured it out

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair Hahahaha! 😉👍

[@matthewhopper5343]

This was helpful, thank you!

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help thanks for watching!

[@Patriot41776]

Outstanding video! Thank you for sharing it! 🫡🇺🇸

[@IndRepair]

Appreciate that and you watching!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

That aerial video was hilarious and interesting at the same time! I’ll bet you wish you had twice your current space so machines could be staged inside at all times. That must be very frustrating to have to move all those in and out every day. Takes a lot of valuable time.

[@IndRepair]

Definitely packed every inch every day. I have a few parts machines but most comes in. I would say hour and a half burned moving in/out every day but really only happens for a few months then we are at a good enough capacity not to move everything

[@johntyler5731]

I had one with a bottom outlet that had plastic beads or pellets from the molding of the tank. would stall out then start right back up. ended up taking tank off emptying. then I could see the bead. drove me nuts for over a year. was not set time in how long it would run. Sometimes 2 minutes and sometimes hours. It's why I now have white hair.

[@IndRepair]

Lol, this issue has given many your same fate! I have it because I deal with everyone else's issues all day every day. Thanks for watching!

[@steveriggenbach90]

Great video. Thanks for tips on how to check. Simple problem that might stump someone.

[@IndRepair]

Yes sir see it many times every year

[@steveriggenbach90]

@@IndRepair seems like every other year maintenance. Open gas cap and gently blow air back thru.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@steveriggenbach90 Or remove cap and blow air from filter into almost empty tank, then clean out tank.

[@IndRepair]

Usually have to remove the tank anyway which is a huge pain on most mowers but at least we are good for a bit

[@steveriggenbach90]

@@IndRepair wonder, knowing some tanks have deep pockets……dry with air. Then use air to create a vacuum. Like the old perfume bottles.

[@hortman5]

Thank you for the video. Would this issue also cause the engine to bog down under load?

[@IndRepair]

Definitely a possibility depending on how bad it is. Normally not a symptom of this issue, unless your talking after a period of time then it starts to bog under load and dies eventually

[@LOL_1DAY]

GREAT VIDEO BROTHA!!!

[@IndRepair]

Thank you!

[@watermanone7567]

Good video, nice find. Thanks for the video.

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@bst8019]

Thanks!

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that!!

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!!

[@garysgarage3669]

great video, thank you.

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!!

[@philliphall5198]

Great job 👏

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching! Glad it turned out good never seem to think about doing a video on the issue until it is too late like the first one I did

[@philliphall5198]

I was a automotive teck teacher for 5 years and life time auto and diesel mechanic … I really enjoy watching a skilled mechanic explain and teach those who WANT to Learn 😊❤

[@IndRepair]

@@philliphall5198 I appreciate that! I have been asked to do local small engine classes at the local college but not really interested at this point in life. They told me to name my price but public speaking is not really my thing. Maybe later in life. I have gotten better since doing the videos but the first 100 were bad because I get nervous being recorded. Long as it helps someone, I am happy with it

[@einchopp2730]

Does this go for husquvaranas zero turn?

[@IndRepair]

Definitely

[@steveriggenbach90]

How important is back pressure from a muffler? Mowing with my zero turn. The 4 bolts fell out. Just 2 muffler pipes sticking out. Put it back on. I was concerned about the back pressure. Thanks.

[@IndRepair]

Definitely want it sealed up put good gaskets on it if the others we bad also

[@JerrysLawnCare_]

When my blades are engaged, I can’t tell if the engine wants to shut off or just the clutch but one of those, wants to shut down but then catches itself and goes back to normal, it keeps doing that randomly throughout the day. Any suggestions why?

[@IndRepair]

I would look for a bad ground wire or connection somewhere likely. Could also be the seat switch or another safety switch

[@JerrysLawnCare_]

@@IndRepair thanks for the reply I will definitely check that out

[@philliphall5198]

I was laughing at my sister today because she ran her edger low on oil, our mechanic Dad would spank her 71 years old butt if he was still here 😅😅😅

[@IndRepair]

Ha! With my vehicle I am not good at it as I should be but my equipment I check EVERY time

[@brendarape9294]

Where do you find the elbow on the zero turn?

[@IndRepair]

The elbow is what I blow through to get the stuff to come out the end of the pickup tube. It will be where the fuel line comes off the fuel filter and goes into the fuel tank. Many models it is quite a bit different but this one is easily accessible

[@brendarape9294]

Thanks

[@IndRepair]

@@brendarape9294 sure thing

[@rickbroerman9267]

Super Super Video 📹 !!! Thank you!!!!

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidabernathy4553]

Well now this is a interesting video and it seemed like to me that all of that debris shouldn't be getting in there in the first place. People are not being careful enough making sure that they have a clean gas can or making sure the opening around the gas cap is cleaned up.

[@IndRepair]

Haha crazy stuff huh! We definitely should be working on keeping it free of this stuff!

[@outlet6989]

How did that mess find its way into the gas tank? The owner of the mower forgot to screw the gas cap on after refueling and then started the engine and/or began mowing, allowing debris to enter the fuel tank. My second guess would be the debris entering the tank when the cap was removed when filling the tank with gas, and the wind blew debris into the tank or was on the gas can filler tube.

[@IndRepair]

I always wondered how something like this happens then one day I mowed my lawn and got done and the fuel cap was still sitting in between the seat and open fuel tank. There were pieces of pine tree and grass all in the tank spout...think I figured it out but into the unsealed container or while opened just as possible

[@outlet6989]

@@IndRepair Please don't feel like the Lone Ranger as this happened to me. My fault!!!

[@IndRepair]

Yeah, crazy how that works. I picked a few pieces out of the tank I could see and sealed it back up...probably be doing this to mine soon

[@seller559]

Great video👍 I hate that I need it lol

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Hope to have helped

[@CoreyTiff-kv1nq]

Got 24 horse brigs run for awhile the act like it's running out of gas ..changed fuel filter drained some gas out still doing it ..the fuel pump is working

[@IndRepair]

Does it stay running longer if you choke partially? If so then a carburetor/fuel issue likely

[@jefflary5457]

I just subscribed great video. JeffinMaine

[@IndRepair]

Appreciate that!

[@ScottStOnge]

What the heck! Are they running the machine with the gas cap off? How does that debris get in there.

[@IndRepair]

I would assume so, see it all the time like this though!

[@crisprtalk6963]

Two money shots in one video!

[@IndRepair]

Biggest clog I think I have ever seen I think

[@ingmarlindholm]

5 👍 Thanks!

[@IndRepair]

Thanks you!

[@philliphall5198]

I think hird hands put stuff in tank 😢😢😢 Seems it stops after there fired ???😊

[@IndRepair]

Haha, this could definitely be the issue!

[@michaelfarris2556]

Looked like a birds nest coming out of there.

[@IndRepair]

Worst one I have ever seen!