5 Common Kawasaki Lawn Mower Engine Problems (Fixed)
Kawasaki is a top brand known for manufacturing lawn mower engines but are they good?
To be honest, yes, but like any other machinery, there are some common Kawasaki lawn mower engine problems.
For example, if the Kawasaki engine doesn’t start, or if it starts, it will stop after a few moments.
The battery drains faster, fuel leaks from the engine, the engine runs rough, and it generates black smoke.
Surprisingly, these issues are so small that you can’t solve them yourself at home.
You only need proper guidance, which we’ll provide, and you can make your engine run faster without facing any issues.
Let’s check the solutions!
Why Does the Kawasaki Lawn Mower Engine Have Problems?

We’ve done in-depth research on the topic of why Kawasaki lawn mower engines have problems.
We’ve come to the result that the engine faces problems when the parts like the carburetor, spark plug, etc., get damaged.
The moment these parts fail, you’ll notice issues like the engine will take a lot of time to start, or it might not start.
The fuel will leak from the engine, and the engine’s performance will go to an unacceptable point.
What can you do in these situations? You have to follow these three steps.
- First, identify the problem.
- Understand the solution.
- Solve the issue with the help of our guide.
5 Common Kawasaki Lawn Problems Along With the Solutions

To help you out more, we’ll discuss the issue, its reasons, and how you can solve it below.
You can check our quick overview if you’re in a hurry or go to the detail section; it’s up to you.
Quick Overview – Kawasaki Lawn Mower Engine Problems
Problem | Reason | Solution |
The engine starts but stops after a few moments. | The engine isn’t starting. | Replace or repair the part. |
The engine is running rough and generating black smoke. | Tight or broken fuel cap.Carburetor issue. | Repair or change the fuel cap. Clean or change the carburetor. |
Battery drains faster. | Faulty voltage regulator.Damage starter. | Replace the part. |
Damaged fuel line.Faulty carburetor. The issue with float assembly. Cracked fuel tank. | Dirty choke rod. | Clean it with water. |
Fuel is leaking. | The fuel is leaking. | Repair or replace the part. |
Also Read: Kohler VS Kawasaki Mower Engine: Which is Better?
The Engine Isn’t Starting
The Kawasaki engine isn’t starting – is this your issue?
We know why it happens with many lawnmowers. The reason is we need to understand there’s a proper mechanism for how a machine works.
Various parts contribute to starting the engine. For example, spark plug, ignition coil, starting switch, etc.
If one of these parts fails, the engine won’t start, so you have to ensure that everything is fine.
The Fix:
- First, check the spark plug of the mower; if it seems damaged, repair or replace it as soon as possible.
- The main part on which the spark plug depends is the ignition coil. This part transfers the voltage to the spark plug, and the engine works. If this doesn’t work, you won’t be able to start the engine. So repair or change it if it’s damaged.
- Check the starting switch when both of the above things are working well. The issue must be because of the button. Luckily, you can easily change it.
- You should also check and replace the primer bulb. It might be broken or worn out, so the mower isn’t starting.
The Engine Stops After a Few Moments
Imagine you enter the key in the mower, push the start button, and the mower also starts but only for a few moments.
Then it stops suddenly; it’s indeed a bad and frustrating situation, but not for you because we’ll share how you can solve it.
First, identify why it’s happening, whether the carburetor is clogged or the issue is with the fuel cap.
To pinpoint the exact issue, you need to check both things thoroughly by following our guide below.
The Fix:
Fuel Cap Issue: You can check the fuel cap with a little test which you can see below.
- Remove the fuel line and take out all the fuel in a container.
- If the fuel isn’t coming out and stops halfway even after removing the fuel line, the issue must be with the fuel cap.
- Once you identify the issue, change the cap or clean it if it’s tight.
Carburetor Issue: The second issue might be the dirty carburetor. The carburetor helps in starting the engine; if it’s dirty or damaged, the engine won’t start.
- Therefore, make sure to clean the carburetor, or if it’s damaged, then replace it.
- You can watch the video below for a better understanding of cleaning the carburetor.
Battery Drains Faster
Another common issue is that the battery drains faster or doesn’t charge, and we think it happens because the engine is taking up too much battery.
But that’s not always the case, at various times, the battery itself creates issues.
The Fix:
The solution to the battery issue is you need to know about its two common causes: the voltage regulator and the stator.
Voltage Regulator:
- The first cause is the voltage regulator. Its purpose is to provide voltage to the battery from the alternator. When it fails to provide the voltage, the battery drains faster.
- In this type of scenario, you have to do a test to check the voltage regulator. If the voltage regulator is at fault, replace it to protect the battery.
Also Read: Kawasaki FX850V Oil Type, Capacity, Filter, Change Interval
Stator:
- The second cause is the faulty stator. The function of the alternator is to create a magnetic field and then convert it to an electric current. If it’s not working well, the battery will create a lot of issues.
- The simple solution we’ve found is to check whether it’s really at fault via a small test with a multimeter. Then go to any nearest technician to solve this issue.
Watch the video below to understand the step-by-step process of testing the voltage regulator and stator.
The Engine Is Running Rough & Generating Black Smoke
Here comes the fifth common Kawasaki lawn mower engine problem; it’s about the engine running rough and black smoke coming out of it.
Rest assured, we know it seems like a big issue but trust us, it is not.
The Fix:
It happens because the choke rod has a lot of dirt, which creates problems in maneuvering.
You can put down the choke rod yourself, but it’s a one-time solution. For the long term, you have to clean it thoroughly with water, and that’s it.
Once the dirt is removed, it will again start working properly like before, and you won’t face any issues.
Fuel Is Leaking
If you’re having trouble with a Kawasaki engine fuel leak, you’re not alone! This is a common issue.
The reason behind this issue is that some parts of the mower attached to the fuel tank, like the carburetor gasket, fuel lines, etc., get damaged.
The Fix:
The solution is quite simple; we’ll share the name of all of these possible faulty parts. You have to check them one by one and replace or repair the right part.
- Check the carburetor gasket or the entire carburetor.
- Have a look at the fuel lines. If they’re cracked, the fuel will leak.
- Check the float assembly.
- Lastly, you also have to examine the fuel tank.
Also Read: The Best Kawasaki FX1000V Oil Type (2023 Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Kawasaki lawn mower engines reliable?
Yes, Kawasaki lawn mower engines are reliable. These engines are trustable options when it comes to powering a lawn mower.
They’re popular worldwide thanks to their impressive power output and lifespan.
Is it worth repairing a lawn mower engine?
Yes, it’s worth repairing a lawn mower engine. Like any machine, the engine will also show some issues after some time; if the issue isn’t big, there’s no harm in repairing the lawn mower engine.
Is it better to repair or replace an engine?
Honestly, it depends on the condition of the engine. If the engine can work for a few more years with repair, it’s fine to do that.
On the other hand, if the situation is bad, it’s better to replace the engine.
Conclusion
By following our guide, you can easily solve the common Kawasaki lawn mower engine problems in no time.
The only rule you need to follow is to read our solutions carefully. Each step is important to solve the issue.
If possible, don’t forget to watch the videos we’ve added to the guide. These videos will give you more insights and clear all your doubts about solving problems.