John Deere Mower Quits When Hot (A Troubleshooting Guide)

It’s pretty common for your lawnmower’s engine to die after prolonged use. It’s probably because it overheated and seized up. But don’t worry, this is pretty common.

So it’s natural to ask yourself why your John Deere mower quits when hot?

It’s most likely because of an obstructed fuel cap or a failing ignition process. The latter is brought on by vaporized fuel. You can stop your mower from overheating in a lot of different manners.

Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging like your John Deere. Today, we’re gonna go deeper into the details.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get to the grimy details!

Causes for the Seizures

Now, let’s look at the three common culprits behind the issue. Both of these are vital elements in the combustion process. So let’s go over these in detail.

1. Obstructed Fuel Cap

This is by far the most overlooked reason why your mower heats up. An obstructed fuel cap may result in venting failure. As a result, fuel won’t enter into the carburetor.

This causes the engine to not receive any fuel and shut off due to overheating. Luckily, there’s a way to test the venting in your lawnmower.

You just need a couple of plastic containers to hold your fuel.

Solution

You want to make sure to check whether you have enough fuel or not. Remember to close the fuel cap tightly.

Next, remove the fuel line using a vice grip. Remember to place the container beforehand to catch your fuel.

If the fuel stops draining halfway through and then starts dripping, you have a faulty fuel cap. If that happens you should substitute the fuel cap with a fresh one.

Next, repeat the process again. This time there should be a smooth flow of fuel. The tank should drain out completely.

2. Vaporized Fuel

This is more commonly known as “vapor lock”. This happens whenever the fuel evaporates rapidly in the carburetor. 

This typically happens when the fuel overheats due to a myriad of reasons. The gas bubbles are responsible for blocking the fuel’s entry into the engine.

This is why your engine seizes up when it’s hot after active use. Thankfully, there are a lot of preventive measures you can take to stop this.

Solution

Vapor lock occurs because of the cooling coil. The cooling coil is responsible for getting rid of the vapor. Replacing the cooling coil should do the trick.

We recommend choosing from our picks of cooling coils-

Prevention Techniques

Some of these techniques may involve you dismantling your lawnmower. But don’t worry, fancy tools aren’t a prerequisite for this. Remember to follow the manual for your specific lawnmower and stick to those instructions.

The things you’ll need to take it apart are listed as follows-

• Adjustable Wrench
• Vice Grips
• Screwdrivers

Now that we’ve prepared for the task, let’s go over the prevention techniques!

1. New Fuel and Fuel Stabilizers

Gasoline can get stale in around 30 days. It is recommended to add a fuel stabilizer to the primary gas transfer container whenever new fuel is used.

When possible, avoid utilizing fuels that have been mixed with alcohol or ethanol. This is because these blended fuels are intended for use in automobiles. 

If you’re unsure about which ones to invest in, take a look at our picks below-

The residual fuel components do not burn well as more volatile components. As old fuel degrades, this can result in residual build-up inside the fuel delivery system.

In certain circumstances, draining the fuel system and replacing it with new fuel will solve the problem. Carburetors that have been contaminated with old gasoline must often be properly cleaned or replaced, thus prevention is vital.

2. Appropriate Grade Oil

Keep in mind that air-cooled engines can consume up to an ounce of oil per cylinder per hour, so don’t overfill the engine oil reservoir.

Check the oil levels and change the engine oil regularly. Remember to do this before each use. For oil parameters and maintenance suggestions, consult the engine’s Operator’s Manual.

3. Air Intake and Cooling Fins 

Ensure that these places are cleaned regularly. Maintaining the cleanliness of these airflow zones will aid in keeping the engine as cool as feasible.

Never use water to clean these components. Clean these parts using a soft brush or compressed air. 

Unsure about which brush to buy, try from our selection-

Small animals, such as mice and insects, may be attracted to power equipment as nesting sites. 

Infestation is particularly common in air filter boxes and air intake regions. Before resuming usage of stored equipment, properly inspect these regions.

4. Fuel Filter Inspection

Small engine fuel filters are normally attached using hose clamps along the fuel line between the fuel tank and the carburetor. Seasonally or whenever there is reason to assume that disposable gasoline filters are filthy, replace them.

5. Outdoor Temperature

Keep in mind that the risk of engine overheating rises with the height of external temperatures and the length of time the engine is running.

Use caution and take pauses when temperatures are particularly high. Cutting grass during the middle of the day may be better for the equipment, the operator, and the environment.

To sum it up, these are the factors that overheat your engine. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Will excess oil kill my lawn mower’s engine?

Answer: All lawn mowers must be refueled during use to prevent overheating. The mower can also leak due to this. As a result, this can damage other parts of the mower except for the engine.

Question: Why does my lawnmower emit white smoke?

Answer: This can be due to the following reasons: The grade of the oil is wrong, you’re running the engine at an angle greater than 15 degrees, or overfilling the crankcase with excess oil.

Question: Can my lawnmower ever blow up?

Answer:  Yes, your lawnmower can most certainly blow up. But only if it catches on fire.

Bottom Line

Now you know why your John Deere mower quits when hot. Hopefully, our prevention tips and solutions helped you solve your issues. Following our tips and hacks allows you to keep your lawnmower in peak shape.

Stay safe and good luck in mowing your grass!