9 Common Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower Problems with Solutions!
You were once excited to bring home your new Troy-Bilt mower to make your lawn care easier. That excitement begins to fade when you start running into problems with your mower.
All mowers end up failing over time because, after all, they are mechanical and mechanical parts will wear. You can prevent a lot of these problems with routine maintenance and care of your Troy-Bilt lawn mower.
I have put together a list of problems that can develop in a Troy-Bilt lawn mower to help you troubleshoot and fix those problems when they appear in your mower. You will find a summary of items that may be causing your problem along with the solution below.
I have also included links to more depth information on the most common problems. I hope this will assist you in getting your mower up and running again!
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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual prior to diagnosing, repairing, or operating.Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.
Table of Contents
Common Troy-Bilt Problems
The most common Troy-Bilt lawn mower problems are:
- Troy-Bilt won’t start
- Troy-Bilt dies while mowing
- Troy-Bilt is smoking
- Troy-Bilt has a weak hydrostatic transmission
- Troy-Bilt won’t drive straight or steer correctly
- Troy-Bilt won’t move
- Troy-Bilt is shaking or vibrating
- Troy-Bilt is cutting uneven
- Troy-Bilt is leaking gas
Problem 1: Troy-Bilt Mower Won’t Start
Your Troy-Bilt lawn mower may not start because you have an electrical, fuel, or airflow problem. The charging system, ignition switch, battery, and safety switches can fail to cause your mower to not start.
You may also have a bad air filter, dirty carburetor, bad spark plug, or clogged fuel components that can cause your starting problem.
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons Your Troy-Bilt Mower Won’t Start
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| No gas in the fuel tank | Fuel tank is empty | Fill with fresh fuel |
| Bad or old fuel | Fuel breaks down overtime making your fuel less efficient and prone to clogging the fuel system | Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh fuel. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system. Use the right fuel. |
| Faulty or clogged fuel cap | The vent in the cap can get clogged causing your tank to form a vacuum restricting fuel flow | Use a thin piece of wire to try to clear the clogged vent. Replace the cap if needed. |
| Bad spark plug | Excessively dirty or broken spark plug; bad connection; not gapped correctly | Replace with a new spark plug, secure connections, and ensure it is gapped to manufacturer specifications |
| Plugged air filter | Dirt and grass can plug the air filter preventing airflow | Remove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition. |
| Plugged fuel filter | A dirty fuel filter will restrict fuel flow | Replace the fuel filter |
| Bad fuel pump | A failed or leaking fuel pump will no longer create the pressure needed to pump fuel | Replace the fuel pump |
| Blocked fuel lines | Bad fuel deposits and dirt can build up and clog the fuel lines preventing the engine from getting the required fuel | Use a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. Replace the line if necessary. |
| Dirty carburetor | The carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flow | Clean the components making up the carburetor. Replace if needed. |
| Bad battery or loose & dirty terminals | A dead battery, loose cables, or corroded terminals can cause starting problems | Charge your battery and replace it if it won’t hold a charge. Make sure your cables are tight and clean the corrosion from terminals. |
| Bad safety switch | Safety switches are a safety measure that exists to prevent your mower from starting in certain situations. When a switch fails, your mower may not start. | Test and replace faulty safety switch |
| Bad ignition switch or coil | Your mower will not start when either the ignition switch or coil is bad | Test and replace a bad switch |
| Broken recoil | A pull start mower may have a damaged or broken recoil preventing the recoil to initiate starting your engine | Check the recoil to see if it can be restrung or if broken parts, like the pulley, can be replaced. Replace the recoil assembly if needed. |
Problem 2: Troy-Bilt Mower Loses Power and Dies
While you are mowing, your mower can suddenly lose power and die. This is often a fuel or air restriction problem. Bad fuel, a plugged air filter, and clogged fuel components can cause your mower to die when it is unable to get the air and fuel it requires to keep running.
Other items to address are additional things that can cause your Troy-Bilt mower to overheat like dirty cooling fins and a clogged mower deck.
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons Your Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower Dies: Fixed
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Bad fuel | Fuel breaks down overtime making your fuel less efficient and prone to clogging the fuel system and engine damage | Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh fuel. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system |
| Plugged air filter | Dirt and grass can plug the air filter preventing airflow | Remove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition. |
| Dirty or broken cooling fins | Cooling fins get packed with dirt, oil, and grass not allowing air to effectively cool the engine block | Replace broken fins and clean the cooling fins. |
| Clogged fuel lines | Bad fuel deposits and dirt can build up and clog the fuel lines preventing the engine from getting the required fuel. | Use a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line |
| Dirty carburetor | The carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flow | Clean the components making up the carburetor. Replace if needed. |
Problem 3: Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower Smokes
Again, a plugged air filter can be a reason your lawn mower is having problems. You may have guessed it already, a plugged filter can cause many Troy-Bilt mower problems.
It can cause smoking because your mower isn’t getting enough air to mix with fuel so it is running rich.
There is also the possibility your air filter is so plugged that oil has been pulled into the cylinder along with air from the crankcase. When the oil burns off, your mower emits smoke. Other smoking problems can be the result of an internal engine problem.
Detailed information can be found at:
Why Your Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower is Smoking
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Plugged air filter | Dirt and grass can plug the air filter preventing airflow | Remove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition. |
| Too much oil in the crankcase | Excessive oil can cause pressure to build in the engine allowing oil to get into the cylinder through the valve train | Drain a little engine oil until it is at the manufacturer’s recommended oil level. |
| Engine oil level is too low | Lack of oil can increase friction in your engine causing extreme heat. | Bring to a small engine repair shop to inspect engine damage. You can try adding oil, but it is often too late to this fix your engine problem. |
| Internal problems including the piston ring, valve train, or engine gasket | Internal engine problems can have a detrimental effect on your mower if they are not caught soon enough and fixed. | Bring your Troy-Bilt to your local small engine repair shop for troubleshooting |
Problem 4: Troy-Bilt Mower Has a Weak Hydrostatic Transmission
When the hydrostatic transmission on your Troy-Bilt mower feels weak, you should check the drive belt and tensioner pulley for wearing and replace them if needed.
Old hydraulic fluid or a low hydraulic fluid level can cause weakness in your transmission. It’s important to follow your manufacturer’s guidelines for a hydraulic oil and filter change.
Note: Some hydraulic systems on entry-level mowers can be sealed which means you are unable to change the fluids. If you are having problems with your hydraulics and have a sealed system, contact your local dealer or lawn mower repair shop for support.
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Bad drive belt | A bad drive belt can cause your pump not to work efficiently | Replace a frayed, cracked or worn belt |
| Bad tensioner pulley | When a tensioner pulley fails, it fails to keep tension on the drive belt | Replace the pulley and grease the tensioner arm |
| Low or old hydraulic oil | Low or old hydraulic oil can fail to lubricate the hydraulic system causing your hydraulic system to seem weak | Change your hydraulic oil at regularly intervals as recommended by Troy-Bilt. Check your hydraulic oil periodically to ensure your hydraulic fluid is full. |
Problem 5: Troy-Bilt Mower Won’t Drive Straight or Steer Correctly
Whether you have a riding mower or a zero-turn, you can experience problems with your steering system. Unequal tire pressures can cause your mower to pull to one side.
A riding mower can have loose components in the steering system causing it to not steer correctly.
Bad dampers can make your zero-turn pull to one side on your zero-turn. Another reason your zero-turn can fail to drive straight is if the tracking adjustment is off.
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Incorrect tire pressure | Unequal tire pressure can cause your mower to pull to one side. | Check tire pressures and keep them filled to the manufacturer’s spec. Tires on each side of your mower require equal pressure. |
| Bad dampers on zero turn | Bad dampers will cause your mower to jerk to one side when moving forward | Replace with a new damper |
| Tracking adjustment needed on zero turn | When one tire is moving faster than the other, your mower can pull to one side | Adjust the speed adjustment bolt to change the rotation speed of the tire. Refer to your owner’s manual. |
| Worn or loose steering components in riding mower | Worn bushings, washers, and gears can cause your mower to not steer one way or the other | Inspect and replace the parts that failed on your steering system |
Problem 6: Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower Won’t Move
It can get very upsetting when you can’t get your Troy-Bilt mower to move. A Troy-Bilt mower may not move because the drive release lever is still engaged; the drive belt is worn, components on the tensioner are worn, or you have bad or a low level of hydraulic oil.
Detailed information can be found at:
9 Reasons Your Mower Won’t Move or Go Forward
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Drive release lever in the wrong position | The drive release lever allows hydrostatic mowers to roll freely | The drive release lever must be in the operating position. |
| Missing key in the axle | Your riding mower may have a small key in the axle that may have fallen out of place | Replace the key in the axle |
| Drive pump belt is worn | The mower won’t move if your drive belt has fallen off. It could also not move if the belt is worn. | Replace a worn or cracked belt. Make sure the belt is securely around the pulleys. |
| Bad tensioner pulley | The bearing in the tensioner pulley can fail | Replace the tensioner pulley |
| Missing idler arm spring | If the idler arm spring breaks or goes missing, it can no longer place tension on the drive belt | Replace the broken or missing spring |
| Low or old hydraulic oil | Low or old hydraulic oil can fail to lubricate the hydraulic system causing your hydraulic system to seem weak | Change your hydraulic oil at regular intervals as recommended by Troy-Bilt. Check your hydraulic oil periodically to ensure your hydraulic fluid is full. |
| Hot hydraulic fluid | Hot hydraulic fluid can be a sign of damage to your hydrostatic transmission system | Let your hydraulic oil cool. If you find your mower runs fine when it is cold, but becomes weak when the hydraulic system gets hot, have your mower checked at your local Troy-Bilt dealership. |
| Air in the hydraulic system | Air must be bled from the hydraulic system after changing your hydraulic fluid or the mower will not be able to move at normal speeds | Follow Troy-Bilt’s procedures for changing the hydraulic fluid and bleeding air from the system in your owner’s manual. |
Problem 7: Troy-Bilt Mower is Vibrating
It can be difficult finding the root cause of your Troy-Bilt mower’s vibrating problem. Many small items can cause a significant vibration including loose parts, loose engine mounting bolts, or debris stuck in your lawn mower.
In addition to this, damaged or unbalanced blades; bad bearings in your pulleys and spindle housings; or a worn belt can cause a vibration in your Troy-Bilt’s mower deck that can be felt throughout the mower including the operator’s seat.
Detailed information can be found at:
How to Stop Your Lawn Mower from Shaking & Vibration
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Loose or missing engine mounting bolts | Engine bolts are used to reduce the vibration of the mower when the engine is running | Secure engine bolts and replace any missing bolts |
| Clutch is bad | When there is bearing failure and it falls out of the clutch it can cause vibration. A manual engagement clutch can have a bushing and linkages that can fail. | Replace the clutch |
| Unbalanced or damaged mower blades | Damaged and unbalanced blades can send a vibration through your mower. Blades must be balanced before installing | Replace any damaged blades and make sure they are balanced. |
| Material wrapped around the blade spindle | Foreign materials like string or long weeds can get wrapped around your blade shaft causing vibration | Remove all debris and items wrapped around the blade shaft. Check for spindle damage. |
| Bad spindle housing bearings | Vibration can be caused by a bad bearing in the spindle housing. | Replace bearing in the spindle housing or replace the whole spindle housing assembly |
| Worn pulleys or deck belt | Check deck belt and pulleys for wearing of the belt and bearing failure in the pulleys | Replace any damaged or worn belts and pulleys |
| Debris lodged in mower | The smallest little things can cause your Troy-Bilt to excessively vibrate. Check over your mower for debris stuck in the deck or mower. Don’t overlook the small stuff. | Check over your mower deck and mower for any place small items can be stuck in your mower. Remove these foreign materials. |
Problem 8: Troy-Bilt Mower Has a Bad or Uneven Cut
When your Troy-Bilt mower doesn’t cut as nice as it once did it’s time to check out your tire pressures and look over your mower deck. A low tire can cause your deck to not sit level so it is best to start here when you have an uneven cut.
Next, you’ll want to inspect your blades and mower components for wearing and damage. There is always the possibility you aren’t operating your mower correctly and mowing too fast or without your throttle on high.
Detailed information can be found at:
Why Your Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower is Cutting Uneven (Fixed!)
| Worn mower blade | Uneven tire pressures | Engine speed is too low |
| Bent mower blade | Unleveled mower deck | Ground speed is too fast |
| Blade installed wrong | Bent blade spindle or spindle bearing | Damaged deck shell |
| Clogged Mower Deck | Worn deck pulleys or belt | Operator error |
Problem 9: Troy-Bilt Mower is Leaking Gas
When you see small areas of burnt grass in your lawn or you smell gas in your garage or storage shed, it’s time to look for a fuel leak on your Troy-Bilt.
It can be a difficult task to find the leak because the area of the leak may have evaporated not leaving a significant wet spot behind to give a clear indication of where the leak started.
You will need to check all of your fuel components from your gas tank to your carburetor. Your Troy-Bilt can develop leaks from a bad gasket in your carburetor, degradation of plastic components, a bad seal in your fuel cap, and more.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas (Solved!)
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Dirty of Failed Carburetor | The carburetor can collect a buildup of substances remaining from old gas that can cause blockages or parts failures | Clean the carburetor and replace any damaged parts |
| Old Fuel Filter | Filter can become plugged | Replace fuel filter |
| Bad Fuel Pump | Pump can wear and deteriorate over time and may begin leaking at the seams | Replace the fuel pump |
| Bad Fuel Tank | A metal tank can develop a rust hole. A poly tank can leak at the seams of the tank. | Replace the fuel tank. Sometimes, a rust hole can be repaired if you can no longer find a replacement tank. |
| Bad Fuel Shut-Off Valve | Metal and plastic shut-off valves are prone to leaking | Replace the shut-off valve |
| Cracked Fuel Lines | Rubber fuel lines become dry and cracked causing gas to leak | Replace the fuel lines |
| Cracked Primer Bulb | The rubber of the primer bulb can begin leaking when it cracks or isn’t attached well to the fuel hose. | Replace the primer bulb |
| Bad Seal in the Gas Cap | The gas cap seal can fail and no longer seal allowing gas to splash out of the fuel tank around the gas cap | Replace the gas cap |
