Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower Overheating: Simple Fixes You Need

A Briggs & Stratton lawn mower that overheats can quickly disrupt your yard work, turning a smooth task into a frustrating experience. Whether you're using your mower for routine lawn care or tackling tougher outdoor projects, an overheated engine can cause lasting damage. Thankfully, a lot of overheating problems are easy to resolve and don't require expert assistance. In this article, we’ll walk you through the most common causes of overheating in Briggs & Stratton engines and share effective, quick fixes to keep your mower running cool and smooth all season long. Keep reading for easy solutions

Common Causes For Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower Overheating & How to Fix Them

There are several causes of overheating in Briggs & Stratton lawn mowers, and these include the following. Below are the common causes and ways of solving them:

1. Low or Dirty Oil Levels

Oil is a vital fluid in your mower engine and it is commonly referred to as the life of the engine. The engine may overheat due to increased friction caused by low or filthy oil.

How To Fix: Check the oil level regularly. If it's low, fill up the vehicle with the kind of oil that the manufacturer suggests. Follow the maintenance plan in the mower's handbook to replace the oil if it seems unclean. 

2. Clogged Air Filter

The air filter is used to filter out any dirt or debris that may get into the engine.The engine may overheat if air flow is restricted by a filthy air filter.

How To Fix: Examine the air filter for any dirt or debris. If it is a reusable filter, clean it if not, discard it if it is too dirty or damaged. A clean air filter helps the air to flow freely and avoid heating up the engine.

3. Blocked Cooling Fins

The fins on your Briggs & Stratton engine are used for cooling. If they are blocked by grass clippings, dirt or debris, they cannot cool the engine as they are supposed to.

How To Fix: Clean the cooling fins with compressed air or a brush on a regular basis to ensure that there is no accumulation of dirt or debris on the fins. These fins should be kept clean to allow proper airflow and avoid overheating of the system.

4. Overfilled Oil

If you add too much oil into the mower’s reservoir, pressure builds up in the engine and this leads to overheating.

How To Fix: Use the dipstick to check the oil level and make sure that the oil is not overfilled. If necessary, carefully drain off any excess oil. Ensure that you fill it with the right amount of oil to ensure that the engine is at the right temperature.

5. Worn-out Spark Plug

A bad spark plug or one that has been used for long may lead to a situation where the engine fails to ignite the fuel and air mixture, thus leading to friction and heat.

How To Fix:  Look for rust or wear on the spark plug. To make sure the engine operates smoothly and doesn't overheat, replace it if needed. 

6. Poor Fuel Quality

The use of old or contaminated fuel can harm the engine and cause it to overheat.

How To Fix: Always ensure you use fresh fuel in your Briggs & Stratton mower. Siphon out the old fuel and add fresh gasoline to your mower if it hasn't been used in a while.

Some of the problems that you can solve include low oil, clogged filters, or dirty cooling fins, which can cause your Briggs & Stratton lawn mower to overheat and stall. It is important to note that some of the basic maintenance tips can help you save time and money as well as prevent costly repairs. Remember these tips and your mower will be ready for long and productive use.

Written by Allen Rode for WholeToolbox , your trusted source for a variety of top-quality power tool and lawn mower parts, including Briggs and Stratton Parts, and lawn mower batteries