A rebuild is a decent way to save money when your engine is problematic. Before repairing your engine, you should understand how much it costs. It’ll make you evaluate your options to know the best one.
The amount you’ll spend on an engine rebuild depends on the magnitude of the problem and your type of mower.
This article will educate you on everything that you may need to know about your engine rebuild cost. You’ll get an estimated price for your specific mower and battery type and other essential information on whether or not you should repair the engine.
There are many reasons your lawn mower engine could experience a breakdown. It could happen if an abrasive material gets into it. When an abrasive material enters it, it can travel through the carburetor and cause internal damage. In more severe scenarios, it will enter the piston and damage it.
Insufficient lubrication could also be the reason your lawn mower engine breaks down. When you fail to lubricate the engine, its piston and the cylinder wall might grind together, which can cause issues. Overheating is also a major cause of engine breakdown.
Breakage of certain parts can also cause the engine to stop working, which happens when it vibrates excessively or is past its lifespan.
How much does it Cost to Rebuild a Lawn Mower Engine?
The amount that you’ll spend on repair depends on the type of lawn mower and engine that you have. Push and riding mowers are the two most common types. Push mower engines are the cheapest to repair because they’re smaller and less powerful.
However, among push mowers, some engines are stronger than others. Therefore, their rebuild will cost more. The same thing applies to riding mowers. It’ll cost you less to repair a 17hp engine than a 27hp one.
Additionally, the extent of the damage is another factor that can affect rebuild cost. A faulty carburetor will cost less than issues with the crankshaft or valve. Therefore you should carefully evaluate these factors before you prepare the budget for repairing your engine.
The price for repairing lawn mower engines can be as little as $20 to upwards of $100. As mentioned earlier, the price depends on your type of machine or engine. The best way to know your engine’s repair cost is to check the price of the defective part(s) online.
You can also take the machine to a technician who will give you the estimated amount it will cost you to repair your engine. If you take it to a technician, you’ll have to pay higher fees because they’ll charge you for workmanship. However, it’s best to take it to a technician if you can’t repair the engine to avoid damaging it.
Saving Money on Engine Repairs
A great way to save money on engine repair is to check the warranty on your mower. If it’s still under warranty and you didn’t violate the terms, you can get a rebuild or replacement free from the company.
Most residential lawnmowers have a 2-3 year warranty, but commercial models can have more. You can check with your manufacturer to know the exact warranty period for your mower.
You should approach two or more reputable repair shops when determining the cost of rebuilding your engine because you could get it considerably cheaper in some than others at the same repair quality. Referrals are among the best ways to get good repair shops, so you should ask your friends or family.
It’s best to educate yourself about regular engine maintenance if you have a mower. Sometimes, the issue with it is a minor one that you should be able to fix yourself with little money. However, you get to pay more if you take it to the store because you don’t know how to do it yourself.
Rebuild or Replace: Which is Cheaper?
Whether or not you should rebuild or replace your lawn mower engine depends on how much each will cost compared to the other. Do the rebuild if it costs far less to repair it than the engine. It’s best to buy a new compatible one if the amount it’ll take you to rebuild it nears the price for a new one.
Additionally, the period you’ve been using the mower can give you an insight into whether you should repair the engine. Manufacturers design lawn mower engines to last 8-10 years, and you shouldn’t have problems using them for that long if you maintain them well.
If the engine use time is close to the end of its lifespan, you should buy a new one if the repair cost is high. However, you can keep using it if the repair cost isn’t exorbitant and the engine still functions well.
How much does a new Lawn Mower Engine cost?
Nothing beats having laid your hands on your dream mowing machine. When this happens, it looks to you like it’s the best mower in the world, and no one can work better. When the engine gets damaged after years of use, you prefer to replace it, thus prompting the question; How much does it cost?
The cost of the mower’s engine depends on the size and model. In this time and era, most engines you’ll have to buy will cost upwards of $100. You’ll have to spend up to $500 or more to purchase engines for riding mowers.
If buying new mower engines seemed out of your budget, you can make do with used ones. Of course, used ones won’t last as long as new ones, but they work well and will last you for years if you get them in good condition. You can get used engines from popular online stores or a local dealer willing to sell them.
If you want to buy a used engine, test it properly to avoid purchasing a problematic one. Also, you can check the price of the new one you want to buy online to ensure you aren’t overpaying for the used model.
How many times can you Rebuild your Lawn Mower Engine?
Engines don’t need frequent repairs. You can use them for years without significant issues if you maintain them properly.
It’s best to consider buying a new engine if you’ve rebuilt it more than thrice. The main reason is that you’d end up overspending on repairs which aren’t worth it in the long run.
Conclusion
There’s all you may need to know about rebuilding your mower’s engine. Remember that the price varies depending on the engine type. Smaller ones are more expensive to repair than bigger ones.
Take your engines to a qualified technician if you can’t repair them yourself. You could cause more damage to the engine if you attempt to fix an issue that’s past your capabilities. Take advantage of your warranty if your mower is still under it.
Understand that you don’t need to purchase a new mower anytime the engine gets damaged. You can replace the engine in your mower two-three times before you get a new mower. If you’ve used the mower for nearly ten years or more, you can consider getting a new one instead of repairing or replacing the engine.
Alex is a skilled gardener and lawn care expert with over 5 years of experience in the field. He developed a passion for horticulture at a young age and has since dedicated his life to mastering the art of landscaping. When he's not tending to gardens and lawns, Alex enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.
