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Riding lawn mower engine question????

dreher
I have a Briggs and Stratton 500 cc, 15.5 HP engine in a Troy-Bilt riding lawn mower.  About the fastest starting engine I've ever owned.  It often doesn't seem to even turn over once.  Hit the key, it is running.  Yes, I know, this ain't no high end mower but it does get my grass cut.  It seems to be running hot, at least it smells like it is running hot.  Engine oil is dead on, air filter seems reasonably clean.  So what else do I need to check??
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • dcon12
    The temperature. Don
    9
  • dunbarboyz
    Did a mouse build a nest under the cover? Happens most years here.
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  • jimdeere
    Check that first. Make sure there are no grass clippings around the engine.
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  • bpost
    dunbarboyz said:
    Did a mouse build a nest under the cover? Happens most years here.

    BINGO!   Mice love to build nests under the engine cowl.  Pull off the flywheel cover and what ever bolts hold the plastic cover over the engine.  You may well find a mouse house on the cylinder(s).  It is common for these critters to find a lawn mower engine to be a great home.
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  • buddyb
    I just replaced the engine on a zero turn with a blown engine.Mouse nest under the cowl blocking air flow to the cylinders.Engine ran so hot that a connecting rod went through the block. 
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  • dreher
    Well, I will readily concede that is something I did not think of!  There are no grass clippings around the engine, that I would have noticed while checking the oil before start up, putting gas in it and checking the air filter.  Tomorrow, if I get home early enough, I will pull the plastic piece on top of the engine.  I hope it is that simple.  Thanks all!! 
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  • varian
    and if that isn't it you might have a very, very small oil seep at the valve cover and it is dripping on the exhaust.  this typically does not cause a problem but it does stink.
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  • 4205raymond
    Most likely Mouse nest or grass under flywheel cover or tiny leak at head gasket.
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  • Nanuq907
    What does the plug look like?  Crispy flaky white or toasty brown?
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  • Okie
    If it is running hot it will most likely pop a valve seat out before long. (Aluminum block and steel valve seat) and once one comes out you will can look forward to a new replacement engine or mower if you cannot fix it yourself.

    You can take it's  block temp with a IR therometer.
    If you have never removed the cooling shrouds and cleaned the muck from the block fins it will get a fever. (not enough air circulating around the block. I use a air hose on my mower engines quite often after mowing so as to keep muck from building up in the fins.
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