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

Thank you for watching!! If we helped you out and you want to show your support - LIKE, SUBSCRIBE or give us a shout out below. If you saw something you didn't like leave your comment below as well, these things help us get better!
To see our recommended tools and products visit our Amazon shop at www.amazon.com/shop/individua...
We got over the main issue we find with zero turn mowers or riding mowers when they shut down after running for minutes and cut off. Many times customers think they are overheating or get hot.
Shutting down after running for a while. They usually shut down after 20 to 45 minutes at varying intervals if this is the issue but run fine otherwise.
Fuel flow may appear to be fine, despite being low or not fast enough to keep up this can cause a shut down
We check out a Simplicity zero turn mower ZT2000 Model 7800766 with model 443877-0032-G1 Briggs & Stratton engine 26hp
We check out a Gravely ProTurn ZX60 FX Model 991234 with a Kawasaki engine that a customer brought in that was shutting down after 20 minutes or so.
We go through the full troubleshooting with diagnostics and the common causes for an issue like this will full check of the engine.
We find the issue and tell you how to easily fix it and a riding mower that runs for a bit then shuts off.
See the original video from last year on the Gravely at • Zero Turn Mower Shuts ...
Like and subscribe to see more helpful videos like this one! Save some money by doing it yourself!
#kawasaki #gravely #briggsandstratton #zeroturnmower #zeroturn #ridingmower #simplicity #smallenginerepair #individualizedrepair #smallbusiness #diymaintenance
About Us:
My name is Martin. I have been repairing tools and small engines for almost 20 years. We operate a small engine repair shop in Illinois. We service / repair Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki, John Deere, Cub Cadet, Toro Tecumseh, Loncin, Honda, Craftsman, Husqvarna, MTD, Troy Bilt, Simplicity, John Deere, Exmark, LCT, Generac and many more brands. We work on riding mowers, walk behind mowers, snow blowers, zero turns, generators, pressure washers and much more. We normally repair about 3,000 pieces of equipment every year and look at many more that are beyond an affordable repair. Hopefully our videos will save you some money and give you the information you need to work on your own equipment or figure out the issue at hand.
Disclaimer: Links included in the description are affiliate links. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. There will be no additional charge to you for purchasing here. We appreciate your support, which allows us to continue to provide original content!
Please be careful when repairing any piece of equipment and follow all possible safety measures. This video is for entertainment purposes only.

[@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...

[@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

[@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 😊

[@LOL_1DAY]

GREAT VIDEO BROTHA!!!

[@IndRepair]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@AlPelham]

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

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help!

[@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

[@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!

[@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

[@watermanone7567]

Good video, nice find. Thanks for the video.

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!!

[@garysgarage3669]

great video, thank you.

[@IndRepair]

Thanks for watching!!

[@rickbroerman9267]

Super Super 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

[@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! 😉👍

[@seller559]

Great video👍 I hate that I need it lol

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Hope to have helped

[@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.

[@ingmarlindholm]

5 👍 Thanks!

[@IndRepair]

Thanks you!

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@crisprtalk6963]

Two money shots in one video!

[@IndRepair]

Biggest clog I think I have ever seen I think

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@michaelfarris2556]

Looked like a birds nest coming out of there.

[@IndRepair]

Worst one I have ever seen!