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9 Common Exmark Zero Turn Mower Problems and Solutions

Even though you purchased a well-known highly-rated lawn mower, you will still develop problems in your Exmark mower from normal wear or not performing regular maintenance.

I have put together a list of the most common issues you will encounter as a zero turn owner. You will also find links for more detailed information.

This is a great page to add to your favorites so you can find it the next time you encounter a problem with your mower.

Common Exmark Problems & Solutions

Common Exmark Mower Problems: Troubleshoot & Fix

Mower Won’t Start

When your zero turn won’t start, you can have a fuel or air restriction preventing your engine from getting the fuel and air required to start. Check for clogs in your carburetor, fuel filter, and fuel lines as these can be the cause of your fuel restriction.

You should also make sure your air filter is not plugged so your engine can draw clean air through the filter.

If your mower’s starting issue isn’t caused by a fuel or air restriction, you should check your electrical system including the battery, safety switches, and ignition coil.

Detailed information can be found at:
14 Reasons Your Exmark Won’t Start (Solved!)

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
No gas in the fuel tankFuel tank is emptyFill with fresh fuel
Bad or old fuelFuel breaks down overtime making your fuel less efficient and prone to clogging the fuel systemDrain 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 capThe vent in the cap can get clogged causing your tank to form a vacuum restricting fuel flowUse a thin piece of wire to try to clear the clogged vent. Replace the cap if needed.
Bad spark plugExcessively dirty or broken spark plug; bad connection; not gapped correctlyReplace with a new spark plug, secure connections, and ensure it is gapped to manufacturer specifications
Plugged air filterDirt and grass can plug the air filter preventing airflowRemove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition.
Plugged fuel filterA dirty fuel filter will restrict fuel flowReplace the fuel filter
Bad fuel pumpA failed or leaking fuel pump will no longer create the pressure needed to pump fuelReplace the fuel pump
Blocked fuel linesBad fuel deposits and dirt can build up and clog the fuel lines preventing the engine from getting the required fuelUse a carb cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. Replace the line if necessary.
Dirty carburetorThe carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flowClean the components making up the carburetor. Replace if needed.
Bad battery or loose & dirty terminalsA dead battery, loose cables, or corroded terminals can cause starting problemsCharge 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 switchSafety 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 coilYour mower will not start when either the ignition switch or coil is badTest and replace a bad switch

Mower Loses Power and Dies

Some of the same items that cause your mower to not start are also items that can cause your mower to die while mowing. When your mower can’t get enough air and fuel it will shut down.

You could have a clog that moved through your fuel system or your air filter is blocking air.

An issue that can present itself after mowing for a little while is a bad fuel cap that doesn’t allow air to pass through the cap’s vent. A plugged cap causes your fuel tank to form a vacuum so fuel is unable to flow out of the tank.

When your engine overheats, your mower can shut down. Inspect your cooling fins to ensure they are not broken or plugged with dirt. The fins keep air moving around your engine block and cylinder head.

Detailed information can be found at:
Your Exmark Lawn Mower Dies While Running (Solved!)

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Bad fuelFuel breaks down overtime making your fuel less efficient and prone to clogging the fuel system and engine damageDrain the fuel tank and fill with fresh fuel. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system
Plugged air filterDirt and grass can plug the air filter preventing airflowRemove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition.
Dirty or broken cooling finsCooling fins get packed with dirt, oil, and grass not allowing air to effectively cool the engine blockReplace broken fins and clean the cooling fins.
Clogged fuel linesBad 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 carburetorThe carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flowClean the components making up the carburetor. Replace if needed.

Lawn Mower Smokes 

It can be quite alarming when you see smoke emitting from your mower. A plugged air filter, wrong engine oil level, or other internal engine problems can cause smoking.

When your engine doesn’t receive the correct air-to-fuel ratio or oil becomes hot and burns off, your engine will begin to smoke.

Detailed information can be found at:
This is Why Your Exmark is Smoking

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Plugged air filterDirt and grass can plug the air filter preventing airflowRemove the filter and clean it. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition.
Too much oil in the crankcaseExcessive oil can cause pressure to build in the engine allowing oil to get into the cylinder through the valve trainDrain a little engine oil until it is at the manufacturer’s recommended oil level.
Engine oil level is too lowLack 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 gasketInternal engine problems can have a detrimental effect on your mower if they are not caught soon enough and fixed.Bring your Exmark to your local small engine repair shop for troubleshooting

Mower Has a Weak Hydrostatic Transmission 

Your zero turn has intervals when you must change your hydraulic fluid for the best performance. When you run a low level of hydro oil or your oil is getting aged, you can develop transmission problems.

Your Exmark’s transmission may seem weak. Weakness can also be caused by a bad drive belt or tensioner pulley.

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Bad drive beltA bad drive belt can cause your pump not to work efficientlyReplace a frayed, cracked or worn belt
Bad tensioner pulleyWhen a tensioner pulley fails, it fails to keep tension on the drive beltReplace the pulley and grease the tensioner arm
Low or old hydraulic oilLow or old hydraulic oil can fail to lubricate the hydraulic system causing your hydraulic system to seem weakChange your hydraulic oil at regular intervals as recommended by Exmark.
Check your hydraulic oil periodically to ensure your hydraulic fluid is full.

Mower Won’t Drive Straight or Steer Correctly

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Incorrect tire pressureUnequal 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 turnBad dampers will cause your mower to jerk to one side when moving forwardReplace with a new damper
Tracking adjustment needed on zero-turn or stand-on mowerWhen one tire is moving faster than the other, your mower can pull to one sideAdjust the speed adjustment bolt to change the rotation speed of the tire. Refer to your owner’s manual.

Mower Won’t Move

Old hydraulic oil or an insufficient oil level can also cause your zero tun to not move or, if it does, it may move slowly. Check the drive belt, tensioner pulley, and spring. If any of these items are worn or missing, your mower may not move.

Another item to check is the hydraulic release lever. You may have recently had to manually move your mower and use the drive release lever to release the hydros.

Make sure your drive release levers are in the operating position. If they are not, your mower will not move.

Detailed information can be found at:
9 Reasons Your Mower Won’t Move or Go Forward

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Drive release lever in the wrong positionThe drive release lever allows hydrostatic mowers to roll freelyThe drive release lever must be in the operating position.
Drive pump belt is wornThe 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 pulleyThe bearing in the tensioner pulley can failReplace the tensioner pulley
Missing idler arm springIf the idler arm spring breaks or goes missing, it can no longer place tension on the drive beltReplace the broken or missing spring
Low or old hydraulic oilLow or old hydraulic oil can fail to lubricate the hydraulic system causing your hydraulic system to seem weakChange your hydraulic oil at regular intervals as recommended by Exmark.
Check your hydraulic oil periodically to ensure your hydraulic fluid is full.
Hot hydraulic fluidHot hydraulic fluid can be a sign of damage to your hydrostatic transmission systemLet 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 Exmark dealership.
Air in the hydraulic systemAir must be bled from the hydraulic system after changing your hydraulic fluid or the mower will not be able to move at normal speedsFollow Exmarks procedures for changing the hydraulic fluid and bleeding air from the system in your owner’s manual.

Mower is Vibrating

While your mower runs, there is always a vibration from the engine. However, there are times when you may feel a severe vibration that isn’t the typical vibration.

This is something that needs to be addressed to minimize mower damage. There are many things you need to check including engine mounting bolts, debris caught in the mower deck, and worn or damaged components.

Detailed information can be found at:
Exmark Lawn Mower is Vibrating: Solved!

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Loose or missing engine mounting boltsEngine bolts are used to reduce the vibration of the mower when the engine is runningSecure engine bolts and replace any missing bolts
Clutch is badWhen 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 bladesDamaged and unbalanced blades can send a vibration through your mower. Blades must be balanced before installingReplace any damaged blades and make sure they are balanced.
Material wrapped around the blade spindleForeign materials like string or long weeds can get wrapped around your blade shaft causing vibrationRemove all debris and items wrapped around the blade shaft. Check for spindle damage.
Bad spindle housing bearingsVibration can be caused by a bad bearing in the spindle housing.Replace the bearing in the spindle housing or replace the whole spindle housing assembly
Worn pulleys or deck beltCheck deck belt and pulleys for wearing of the belt and bearing failure in the pulleysReplace any damaged or worn belts and pulleys
Debris lodged in mowerThe smallest little things can cause your mower 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.

Bad or Uneven Cut

Exmark is known for its cut quality. When your cut is uneven or just bad, you need to fix it so you can continue to have a great-looking lawn.

There are many items that can affect cuts including low tire pressures, worn deck components, clogged mower deck, and incorrect operating procedures.

Detailed information can be found at:
Your Bad or Uneven Exmark Mower Cut Solved!

Worn mower bladeUneven tire pressuresEngine speed is too low
Bent mower bladeUnleveled mower deckGround speed is too fast
Blade installed wrongBent blade spindle or spindle bearingDamaged deck shell
Clogged Mower DeckWorn deck pulleys or beltOperator error

Leaking Gas

When you smell a strong odor or see spots of burnt grass in your yard, you need to follow your fuel lines out of the fuel tank to find a fuel leak. Leaks can be hard to find because fuel often evaporates and you’re left only with smelling gas fumes.

A common area where a mower develop leaks is in the carburetor. The gasket around the carburetor bowl can become dry losing its sealing ability or the float can become stuck.

Old gas can also cause plastics to degrade in your components developing leaks in your fuel filter, fuel pump, or fuel tank seams.

Detailed information can be found at:
Your Exmark Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas (Fixed!)

CauseReason for ProblemSolution
Dirty of Failed CarburetorThe carburetor can collect a buildup of substances remaining from old gas that can cause blockages or parts failuresClean the carburetor and replace any damaged parts
Old Fuel FilterFilter can become pluggedReplace fuel filter
Bad Fuel PumpPump can wear and deteriorate over time and may begin leaking at the seamsReplace the fuel pump
Bad Fuel TankA 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 ValveMetal and plastic shut-off valves are prone to leakingReplace the shut-off valve
Cracked Fuel LinesRubber fuel lines become dry and cracked causing gas to leakReplace the fuel lines
Bad Seal in the Gas CapThe gas cap seal can fail and no longer seal allowing gas to splash out of the fuel tank around the gas capReplace the gas cap

Chuck Ring

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

The mower will not engage when switch is pulled. Sometimes it starts after moving around with mower, but today it will not engage. I already bought a new switch with no luck.

Powered Equipment Team

Monday 19th of June 2023

Thanks for reaching out Chuck. I apologize if I misunderstood your comment, but I think you're having a problem with the mower blades not engaging once you pull up on the PTO switch. It appears you already replaced the PTO switch. From what you described, I would check a safety switch. The seat switch could be faulty and not recognize you are in the seat.

Check out https://poweredoutdoors.com/exmark-mower-blades-wont-engage/ for more information and other items that can cause the mower deck to not engage.

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