If your lawn mower’s engine is broken, you will need to repair or replace it. What is wrong with the engine will determine which of these two options is best. If the engine is incredibly old and multiple parts need to be replaced, it’s better to purchase a new one outright. However, you can get away with repairing the engine if there’s only a small defect.
In this article, we are going to cover more about what to do if your lawn mower engine is broken. This includes whether or not you should repair it or buy a new one outright. Keep reading to learn all of this and more.
Should I repair or replace my lawn mower’s small gas engine?
Whether you should repair or replace your lawn mower small gas engine depends on the damage done to it. In some cases, it’s better to buy a new engine outright. For example, you will want to buy a new engine if the old one is broken in multiple parts and incredibly old.
In contrast, there are times when engines break because of a small part defect or user error. In these cases, it’s often better to repair the engine. It will be more affordable because you only need to buy one new part instead of buying a whole new engine.
With this in mind, you will need to inspect the engine and diagnose what is wrong with it in order to determine if you should repair or replace it.
Is it cheaper to rebuild a lawn mower engine or replace it?
Sometimes, it is cheaper to rebuild a lawn mower engine, but other times it’s cheaper to replace it. It ultimately comes down to what is broken on the engine and what you will need to pay for during the repair process.
For quick repairs, simply repairing the engine will likely be more economical. In comparison, just buying a new engine outright will be more affordable if multiple parts are broken or the engine is so old that it’s difficult to get in contact with the parts you need.
How much does it cost to rebuild a lawn mower engine?
How much it costs to rebuild or repair your lawn mower engine depends on what is broken. Some parts may be only $20, whereas other broken parts may be as much as $60. You will have to diagnose what is wrong with your lawn mower engine in order to approximate its cost of repair.
Whether you decide to fix the lawn mower yourself or hire a professional will also impact the price. On average, fixing the lawn mower yourself is about $45. In comparison, hiring a professional to fix it for you can cost $60 or more.
How much does it cost to buy a lawn mower engine?
The cost of buying a new lawn mower engine will depend on the engine type and whether or not it is new or used. Most lawn mower engines cost over $100. The complete range for buying a new lawn mower engine is $80 to $600. Once again, you will have to look at your lawn mower engine specifically to learn how much it will cost.
If you are on a budget, you want to look for used engines. Make sure it is still in good condition before making your purchase. If money isn’t as much of a factor but you want the best engine possible, opt for a new engine instead.
Is it better to rebuild or buy a used mower engine?
Whether you should rebuild or buy a used mower engine depends on your engine. In cases where the fix is easy, it is better to rebuild it. It will save you time and money. Engines that are completely broken and expensive to repair should be purchased instead.
Should I replace a mower engine if the engine blew due to low oil?
If your engine is broken because of low oil usage, you will likely need to buy a new engine. Whenever the mower is used with low or no oil, the metal parts of the engine can be broken beyond repair.
If the engine is broken beyond repair, you will need to buy a new one. You can always assess the extent of the damage to determine if it is damaged beyond repair.
How do you rebuild a lawn mower engine?
Rebuilding a lawn mower engine typically includes 6 steps: disassembly, replacing the broken part, sealing the cylinders, replacing the gasket, replacing air filters, and testing. We recommend rebuilding your lawn mower engine based on manufacturer instructions to ensure you’re doing it correctly.
How many times can a lawn mower engine be rebuilt?
It is not unusual to rebuild a lawn mower multiple times before purchasing a whole new lawn mower. In general, you should not repair the engine more than three times before buying a new engine or lawn mower. If you start rebuilding the lawn mower engine more than three times, the price will become not worth the effort anymore, meaning you should just purchase a new engine.
When should I rebuild a lawn mower engine and when should I buy a new one?
You should rebuild your lawn mower engine if the damage is repairable and doesn’t cost a fortune. This will save you some money since you only have to purchase the broken parts, not the entire engine. You should buy a new engine if the damage is irreparable or it is becoming more expensive to repair the engine than to just buy one.
Should I buy a new lawn mower if it needs a new engine?
The first time your engine breaks, you should not purchase a new lawn mower. Instead, you can extend the life of the lawn mower as a whole by rebuilding or replacing the engine three or so times. Once the lawn mower has been used for over 10 years and the engine breaks, you might want to consider buying a new lawn mower.
Hi, I’m John Stephens, chief editor and writer for Totalgardener.com. I’ve been gardening and raising animals for over 15 years starting with a small backyard plot in Northern Virginia where I grew corn, potatoes, squash, and using a high mulch technique called the Ruth Stout Method. I also raised ducks and small mammals for meat and eggs in a movable pen similar to the ones used by Joel Salatin. I later moved to Colorado where I experimented with growing greens using aquaponics inside. I eventually added a microgreens setup and home sprouting operation. I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned plus more from the other local gardening and animal raising experts I know.
