5 Common Troy Bilt Riding Mower Problems: How to Fix Them

Troy Bilt® riding mowers make lawn & yard maintenance as fun as a walk in the park. But users should be aware of the common issues they may encounter with their Troy Bilt.

Common Troy Bilt riding mower problems:

• may struggle or fails to start
• may not stay running
• Engine problems
• Vibrates or Emits Smoke
• Transmission problems

Keep reading this article to discover more details of these Troy Bilt mower problems and learn how to fix them.

5 Common Troy Bilt Riding Mower Problems:

Read and learn more about each of the most common issues that users may have to encounter with their Troy Bilt® mower.

1. Troy Bilt May Struggle or Fails to Start: 

This can occur due to several potential reasons, such as:

Old or Bad Fuel & Lack of Oil: If the fuel is old or contaminated, the engine may not start. Similarly, if the mower’s oil is old or insufficient, the engine may seize or fail to start.

A Loose Connection at The Starter Solenoid: The starter solenoid provides power to the starter motor, which starts the engine when the key is turned. So, if the connection between the solenoid and the starter motor is broken or damaged, your mower won’t start.

An Old or Defective Battery: Your Troy Bilt mower will not start if the battery is weak, not charging, is old, or is dead.

Defective Spark Plug: Your Troy Bilt mower engine may not start due to a faulty spark plug. Examine the spark plug for dirt, damage, or wear.

Dirty or Clogged Air Filter: A clogged air filter can prevent air from entering the Troy Bilt engine, causing it to fail to start.

Faulty Ignition Switch: The ignition switch oversees powering the starter motor. The mower will not start if it is defective.

Fix:

First, inspect the gasoline and oil levels in your mower. Use the recommended amount of fresh fuel and engine oil.

Then inspect the spark plug on your Troy-Bilt and replace it if needed. Remember to check the air filter and clean or replace it if necessary.

Check for any loose or broken connections between the solenoid and the starter motor. Then, test the starter and solenoid. Replace the starter solenoid if necessary.

Still not starting?

Inspect the ignition switch and replace it if it looks bad.

2. Troy Bilt May Not Stay Running:

Users might encounter that their mower abruptly stops running or won’t move anymore.

This is another typical problem with several Troy Bilt models, which mainly occurs due to:

• not following the manufacturer’s instructions correctly,
• old or bad fuel,
• low-quality or improper fuel, or
• any defective issues with the spark plug.

Your Troy Bilt mower may also stop moving due to dirty fuel lines or using the wrong drive belt.

It may occur due to a clogged air filter or carburetor caused by tainted fuel in your mower’s fuel tank.

Fix:

First, inspect the fuel tank and replenish it as needed or replace the fuel if it is old or polluted. Check that you are adhering to the operating instructions exactly.

Always use the premium type of fuel to prevent fuel issues.

If the fuel is poor, examine the air filter and carburetor. If required, clean or replace them.

Inspect the spark plug and service it if needed. Check the fuel lines and clean or replace them if required.

Also, make sure you’re using the correct drive belt for your Troy Bilt model.

3. Troy Bilt Engine Problems:

Troy Bilt users should also be aware of two typical engine issues:

Engine Does Not Turn Over: The most common mistakes are not disengaging the mower deck, failing to set the parking brake, and failing to turn off the safety switch. This can occur if the internal mower battery is not fully charged, is placed incorrectly, or is malfunctioning. Even blown fuses can cause your mower engine to fail like this at some point.

Engine May Turn Over but Mower Won’t Start: This issue arises if the internal throttle choke and control are not positioned correctly, or if there’s any issue with the fuel system like- improper fuel, clogged fuel lines, or fuel filters.

Fix:

If the engine on your Troy-Bilt mower does not turn over, check 3 things first:

1. See if the cutting deck is properly engaged. If the mower deck won’t engage, there must be something wrong with the PTO clutch. So, diagnose and replace the PTO clutch if necessary.
2. Make sure you have set the parking brake correctly before starting the engine.
3. Check whether the safety switch is turned “On” or “Off”. If the switch is still on, turn it off.

Next, check whether there’s an issue with the internal battery. Confirm that the battery was installed correctly and there’s no loose connection.

Inspect the charging system and replace the charging port if needed. If the battery is dead or badly corroded, replace the battery.

Also, inspect the fuse box and if there’s any blown fuse, replace it.

If your Troy Bilt engine turns over but still does not start, inspect the throttle control and repair it if needed to ensure that the internal throttle choke and control are positioned correctly.

Make sure you are using fresh fuel, as well as the fuel lines and filter are not clogged.

4. Troy Bilt Vibrates or Emits Smoke:

Sometimes, Troy Bilt riding mower may start vibrating or users might see smoke coming out of their mower.

This can happen due to bent, loose, or damaged mower blades. You may also experience vibration if the blades are not properly aligned or placed.

Fix:

If your Troy Bilt vibrates or emits smoke, check the blades, and if one or multiple blades look slightly bent, straighten them. If you notice dull blades, sharpen them. If they are damaged, replace them.

Make sure the blades are aligned and installed correctly after repairing and replacing.

5. Troy Bilt Transmission problems: 

Wheels Shifting Problem: People often make the mistake of forcing the gears to shift when using a Troy Bilt mower.

Due to a lack of oil, your mower’s gears may become too stiff to turn. A cracked lubricant or oil container can cause transmission oil or fluid to leak, leading to a lack of fluid. A filthy or clogged fuel filter can also cause this issue.

This can also occur due to an unsymmetrical transmission arm or accidentally activating the manual bypass lever while towing or running your mower uphill.

Transmission slipping:A sticky drive belt or faulty pulley can hamper the wheels and transaxle rod, preventing the smooth movement of the wheels.

As a result, the wheels fail to move right or left and you will notice your mower transmission slipping.

Fix:

The basic rule of thumb is to check the hydrostatic oil level and change the fluid or add more if necessary. Inspect the oil container and service it if it is leaky or cracked.

Make sure your mower’s transmission is properly lubricated.

Check the fuel filter inside the transmission assembly and clean or replace it as required.

If you’re still having transmission problems, run a full diagnostic and address the root cause.

The following tutorial will guide you on that:

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Troy Bilt Riding Mower Problems – FAQs

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