9 Typical Spartan Lawn Mower Issues & Fixes
You bought a Spartan mower to keep the lawn looking nice. Taking good care of the mower and giving it routine maintenance will help keep it in good working order and lessen the likelihood of any major problems.
The mower’s spark plugs and filters must be replaced, and the deck and blades must be scraped and sharpened and the engine compartment cleaned.
It’s also important to inspect the fuel system, air filter, mower deck, blades, and more before each mow.
There will always be unexpected problems with your mower, no matter how well you take care of it. I have created a list of common Spartan mower problems and my recommendations for fixing them.
Table of Contents
The following are the most typical Spartan zero-turn mower issues:
- Spartan Zero Turn will not launch.
- While mowing, Spartan Zero Turn dies.
- Smoking Spartan Zero Turn
- A spartan zero turn’s hydrostatic transmission is inadequate.
- Spartan Zero Turn cannot steer properly or drive straight.
- The Spartan zero turn is immobile.
- The Spartan zero turn vibrates or trembles.
- Cutting is uneven on the Spartan zero turn.
- Gas is seeping from the Spartan zero turn.
Typical Spartan Mower Issues
Zero Turn Spartan Mower Won’t Start
It will be challenging to start the mower if the engine isn’t receiving the air, fuel, and spark it needs to start and run. Make sure nothing is blocking the spark plug, battery, or other electrical components from accessing the engine cylinder.
Check to see if the air filter is blocked, the choke is stuck, or both. Then, look for any signs of fuel limitation that could have been brought on by old gas. It’s important to inspect the fuel system in its whole, including the gasoline filter, fuel lines, fuel pump, and carburetor.
| Affect | Why | Suggestion |
| The gas tank is empty | The fuel tank is bare. | Refuel with new fuel |
| Using stale or rotten gas | Over time, fuel degrades, becoming less effective and more likely to block fuel systems. | Fill the tank with new petrol after draining the old one. Additives like Sea Foam can assist cleanse the fuel system while also stabilizing the fuel. Find the right fuel for your needs. |
| Problematic or obstructed fuel cap | Your tank may develop a vacuum as a result of clogged vents in the cap, which will impede the flow of fuel. | To attempt to unclog the clogged vent, use a small piece of wire. If necessary, swap out the cap. |
| Bad sparks plug | excessively soiled or damaged spark plug; poor connection; improper gapping | Secure connections, swap out the spark plug for a new one, and make sure the gap is set as directed by the manufacturer. |
| Air filter obstruction | Grass and dirt can clog the air filter and block ventilation. | Clean the filter by removing it. If the filter is in poor shape, replace it. |
| The Fuel Filter is Clogged | Fuel flow will be impeded by a dirty fuel filter. | Switch out the fuel filter. |
| Bad fuel pumps | The pressure required to pump fuel is no longer produced by a broken or leaking fuel pump. | Switch out the fuel pump |
| Clogged gasoline lines | The gasoline lines might become clogged by bad fuel deposits and debris, which prevents the engine from receiving the necessary fuel. | To unclog the gasoline line, blow compressed air and carb cleaning through it. The line may be changed if necessary. |
| Unclean carburetor | Due to ethanol deposits and faulty gasoline, the carburetor might get dusty and blocked, restricting the flow of fuel. | The carburetor’s components should be cleaned. Replace as necessary. |
| The battery is dead, or the terminals are loose & filthy. | Starting issues might be brought by by corroded terminals, a dead battery, or slack cables. | If your battery won’t keep a charge, charge it or replace it. Verify the tightness of your wires and remove any corrosion from the terminals. |
| The malfunction of the safety switch | There are safety switches that can be used to stop your mower from beginning in specific circumstances. Your mower might not start if a switch malfunctions. | The safety switch was not checked or replaced. |
| A malfunctioning ignition coil or switch | When the ignition switch or coil are malfunctioning, your mower will not start. | Check and substitute a defective switch. |
Power is lost and the Spartan zero-turn mower dies
A lot of the things that will stop a Spartan mower from starting can also kill the mower. Your mower will stop off if it runs out of gasoline or air.
Mowing for a while increases the likelihood that the fuel cap will develop a leak, preventing fresh air from entering the engine. When the gasoline tank cap is closed, a vacuum is created, preventing fuel from escaping.
When the lawnmower overheats, your Spartan could turn off too. When this occurs, check the cooling fins to make sure they are not obstructed by debris or broken. Your engine’s cylinder heads, and engine block are kept cool by the fins.
Detailed: 14 Reasons a Spartan Zero Turn Mower Starts Then Dies
| Affect | Why | Suggestion |
| Bad fuel | Over time, fuel degrades, becoming less effective and more likely to block fuel systems and damage engines. | Fill the tank with new petrol after draining the old one. To stabilize the fuel and help clean the fuel system, use a fuel additive like Sea Foam. |
| Air filter obstruction | Grass and dirt can clog the air filter and block ventilation. | Clean the filter by removing it. If the filter is in poor shape, replace it. |
| Dull or busted cooling fins | Because of the accumulation of dirt, oil, and grass on the cooling fins, the engine block cannot be adequately cooled by air. | Clean the cooling fins and replace any damaged ones. |
| Fuel pipes became clogged | Accumulation of dirty residue and contaminated fuel in the fuel lines might prevent the engine from receiving adequate fuel. | To unclog the gasoline line, use compressed air and carb cleaning. |
| Dirty carburetor | Due to ethanol deposits and faulty gasoline, the carburetor might get dusty and blocked, restricting the flow of fuel. | The carburetor’s components should be cleaned. Replace as necessary. |
| Bad Ignition Coil | When the ignition coil malfunctions, the spark plug won’t be able to receive electricity to produce spark. | Change a damaged ignition coil. |
| Lower-Than-Required Oil Level in Engine | The engine may overheat and shut down if the oil level is too low. Pressure can accumulate in the crankcase as a result of excessive engine oil. | Make the necessary adjustments to the engine oil level so that it meets the manufacturer’s specifications. |
| Plugged Mower Deck | Grass and other debris can clog up a mower’s deck, making it difficult for the motor to operate the blades. | To keep the mower deck clean, scrape it. Make dull blades sharp. |
Smoking from Spartan Zero Turn Mower
When you notice smoke coming from your mower, it can be rather scary. Smoking may be caused by a clogged air filter, an incorrect level of engine oil, or other internal engine issues.
Your Spartan zero turn will start to smoke if the air-to-fuel ratio is incorrect or if the oil becomes too hot and starts to burn off.
Detailed: 5 Reasons Your Lawn Mower May Be Smoking
| Affect | Why | Suggestion |
| Air filter obstruction | Grass and dirt can clog the air filter and block ventilation. | Clean the filter by removing it. If the filter is in poor shape, replace it. |
| Crankcase oil level is too high. | Increased pressure in the engine caused by too much oil can force open the valves and let oil into the cylinder. | Until the oil level is at the manufacturer’s suggested level, drain a little engine oil. |
| Low oil pressure in engine | Increased friction caused by the absence of oil can cause dangerously high temperatures within an engine. | Bring in to have the engine damage inspected at a small engine repair shop. Although you can attempt adding oil, it is frequently too late to remedy your engine issue using this method. |
| There may be an issue with the engine’s internals, such as the piston ring, valve train, or gasket. | If internal engine issues are not identified and corrected in a timely manner, they could harm your mower. | If you’re having issues with your lawnmower, take it to a small engine repair shop or Spartan mower dealership near you. |
The Spartan Zero Turn Mower’s Hydrostatic Transmission Is Weak
For optimal functioning, Spartan specifies intervals at which hydraulic fluid must be changed. Transmission issues and a weak transmission are both possible when you run low on hydro oil, or your oil is getting older.
Additionally, a faulty drive belt or tensioner pulley might contribute to weakness.
| Affect | Why | Suggestion |
| False belt drive | Your pump may not operate effectively if you have a poor drive belt. | Replace a belt that is frayed, broken, or worn. |
| Faulty pulley for the tensioner | Loss of drive belt tension due to failed tensioner pulley. | Substitute the pulley and lubricate its tensioner arm. |
| Inadequate or stale hydraulic oil | The appearance of a weak hydraulic system can be caused by either a lack of hydraulic oil or by hydraulic oil that is so old that it cannot adequately lubricate the system. | Spartan suggests scheduling routine oil changes for your hydraulic system. Maintaining full hydraulic fluid requires regular checks. |
Spartan Zero Turn Mower Is Difficult to Steer Straight or Correctly
| Affect | Why | Suggest |
| Miscalculated tire inflation pressure | Your mower may pull to one side due to uneven tire pressure. | Verify the tire pressures and maintain them at the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Your lawn mower’s tires need to be inflated equally on both sides. |
| Unreliable zero-turn dampers | If the dampers on your mower are faulty, it will lurch to one side as you push it forward. | Swap out for a fresh damper |
| Mowers, whether zero-turn or stand-on, require a tracking adjustment. | Your lawnmower may swerve to one side if one of its tires is traveling more quickly than the other. | To change the rate at which the tire spins, simply turn the speed adjustment bolt. Find the user guide online or in the manual. |
Mower Spartan Zero Turn Won’t Move
Also, if the hydraulic oil in your Spartan mower is old or the oil level is low, it may not move at all or move very slowly. Drive belt, spring, and tensioner pulley should all be checked. If any of these pieces are broken or missing, your Spartan mower could not work.
Observe the hydraulic button as well. Some mowers still require you to physically move it and disconnect the hydros by pulling a release lever.
First, check that the drive’s levers are in the on position. If these are not in place, your mower will not function.
| Affect | Why | Suggest |
| The emergency brake release lever is in the improper position | As soon as you let go of the drive release lever, your hydrostatic lawn mower will roll freely. | It is necessary to have the drive release lever in the open position. |
| Damaged belt on the pump that drives it | Loss of tension in the drive belt will prevent the lawn mower from functioning. Wearing the belt may also render it inoperable. | Replace a cracked or worn-out belt. Verify that the belt is fastened tightly around the pulleys. |
| A faulty pulley in the tensioners | The tensioner pulley’s bearing may malfunction. | Tensioner pulley replacement |
| Broken spring in the idler arm | The drive belt cannot be tensioned if the idler arm spring breaks or disappears. | Replace the spring that’s broken or missing. |
| Low or old hydraulic oil | When the hydraulic oil is low or old, it fails to lubricate the system, giving the impression that your hydraulics are weak. | Spartan advises changing your hydraulic oil at regular intervals. To make sure your hydraulic fluid is full, periodically check your hydraulic oil. |
| Hot hydraulic fluid | If you find heated hydraulic fluid, it could mean that your hydrostatic transmission is already damaged. | Hydraulic oil temperature must be reduced. If you find that your lawn mower works fine when cold but weakens as the hydraulic system warms up, you should have it checked at a local Spartan dealership. |
| Air in the hydraulic system | You must bleed the air out of the hydraulic system after changing the hydraulic fluid so that the mower may resume normal speeds. | To flush the system of air and refill the hydraulic fluid, follow Spartan’s recommendations as outlined in the owner’s manual. |
Vibrating Spartan Zero Turn Mower
There is a constant vibration from the engine when your Spartan zero turn is operating. But occasionally you might experience a strong vibration that isn’t the usual vibration.
Solving this problem is necessary to lessen mower-related property loss. You need to check a number of things, including the engine mounting bolts, the mower deck for debris, and any broken or worn components.
Detailed: 9 Reasons a Spartan Lawn Mower is Vibrating & Shaking
| Affect | Why | Suggestion |
| Engine mounting bolts that are either loose or absent | To lessen the mower’s vibration when the engine is running, engine bolts are employed. | Ensure engine bolts are tight and add any missing ones. |
| The clutch is malfunctioning. | When a clutch bearing fails and falls out, it might cause vibration. One of the most common points of breakdown on manual engagement clutches are the linkages and a bushing. | Swap out the clutch |
| Mower blades that are out of whack | Damaged, and imbalanced blades might cause your mower to vibrate. A balanced set of blades must be installed. | Make sure the blades are balanced and replace any that are broken. |
| Fabric encircling the knife’s central shaft | Your blade shaft may become wrapped in foreign objects like string or long weeds, which may cause vibration. | Eliminate all dirt and objects that are encircling the blade shaft. Examine the spindle for damage. |
| Lack of quality bearings in the spindle housing | Vibration could be caused by a defective spindle bearing. | Swap out the bearing in the spindle housing or the whole housing itself. |
| Worn deck belts or pulleys | Check the deck belt and pulleys for belt wear and pulley bearing failure. | Any worn or harmed pulleys and belts should be replaced. |
| The mower got clogged up with debris. | Your Spartan may vibrate excessively as a result of the tiniest things. Check your mower for objects lodged in the deck or the machine. Don’t forget the details. | Look over your mower deck and mower for any areas where small objects could become caught. Take away these foreign objects. |
The Cut on the Spartan Zero Turn Mower Is Poor or Uneven
To maintain a beautiful lawn, you must correct any cuts that are uneven or simply terrible.
Numerous factors, such as low tire pressure, worn deck parts, a clogged mower deck, and improper operating practices, might impair cuts.
Detailed: 12 Reasons a Spartan Mower Has a Bad or Uneven Cut
| Worn mower blade | Deviations in tire pressure | The motor is running at too low of a speed. |
| Bent mower blade | Uneven deck on the mower | There is too much speed on the ground |
| Blade installed wrong | Misaligned spindle bearings or crooked blades | Cracked outer shell |
| Clogged Mower Deck | Faulty deck pulleys or frayed belts | Fail to operate |
Gas Leak on Spartan Zero Turn Mower
If you have a strong smell or spots of burned grass in your yard, you can find a fuel leak by following the gasoline lines from the fuel tank. Since fuel evaporates easily, the only way to find fuel leaks is to smell for gas smells.
Most of the time, the carburetor on a Spartan mower will leak. The carburetor bowl gasket or float may dry out and stop sealing.
Old fuel can also degrade plastics in your components, causing fuel filter, pump, and tank seam leaks.
Detailed: 7 Places Your Spartan Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas
| Affect | Why | Suggestion |
| Dirty of Failed Carburetor | If chemicals from old gas build up in the carburetor, it could get clogged or parts could break. | Check the carburetor and replace any parts that are broken. |
| Old Fuel Filter | The filter can get clogged up. | Substitute fuel filter |
| Bad Fuel Pump | A pump’s seams could eventually degrade and leak if it’s used for a long enough period of time. | Substitute the fuel pump |
| Bad Fuel Tank | A metal tank may develop a rust hole over time. A poly tank may spring a leak at the seams. | The gas tank needs to be changed. If you can’t get a new tank, sometimes rust holes can be fixed. |
| Bad Fuel Shut-Off Valve | Metal and plastic shutoff valves have a bad habit of leaking. | Substitute the shut-off valve |
| Cracked Fuel Lines | When the rubber in the fuel lines dries out or gets damaged, gas spills. | Substitute the fuel lines |
| Bad Seal in the Gas Cap | Should the gas cap seal break, fuel could leak from the area around the cap. | Substitute the gas cap |
