5 Common Troy Bilt Flex Problems and How to Fix Them

Troy Bilt Flex is a famous modular lawnmower among homeowners across the United States. Besides its unrivaled functionality and reliability, one of its most unique features is that it has all kinds of attachments that can be swapped out, allowing you to do anything from mulching leaves to trimming hedges.

But even with all its bells and whistles, it can still encounter problems like any other machine. Owners often complain about its hard starting, choke not working, and inappropriate discharge of grass clippings, among other things. Fortunately, though, most of these issues are not as challenging to fix as it seems.

Therefore, in this post, we’ll discuss five of the most common Troy Bilt Flex problems people encounter and some easy-to-follow tips for fixing them.

Quick Table for Troy Bilt Flex Problems, Reasons, Symptoms, and Solutions

The chart below overviews the top five Troy Bilt Flex problems, outlining their symptoms and short solutions.

5 Common Troy Bilt Flex Problems, Reasons, Symptoms, and Solutions:

As we continue to discuss Troy Bilt Flex issues, let’s look at how they are best resolved.

1. The Lawnmower Is Hard to Start

Troy Bilt Flex lawnmowers are notoriously difficult to start, and if you don’t regularly maintain them, they can be even harder to start. If you’re trying to get your Flex started and it won’t turn over, you might try a few things before taking it in for professional service.

Symptoms:

You know your Troy Bilt Flex lawnmower is hard to start when you notice the following.

• The lawnmower won’t turn over.
• You hear a high-pitched noise when the lawnmower tries to start.
• The lawnmower may not be starting at all.

Causes:

The hard start issue is usually the aftermath of the following occurrences.

• The spark plug is not screwed in tightly enough.
• The spark plug has carbon deposits.
• Fuel lines are clogged.
• Fuel is old/stale.
• The air filter is dirty.
• Clogged carburetor or bad carburetor needle and seat.

Solutions:

Once you’ve identified the cause, proceed with the fixes below accordingly.

• Secure the spark plug correctly with a wrench or socket; avoid pliers or screwdrivers.
• Use compressed air to blow dust and debris out of the filter, or replace it if it’s too dirty to clean.
• Clean your carburetor jets by spraying them with an aerosol cleaner designed for small engine cleaning. Replace fuel lines if necessary.
• Clean the air filter.
• Replace the ignition coil, carburetor, or spark plugs if worn out.

2. Choke Does Not Work

The choke is a device that helps your engine start by priming it with fuel when you first turn on the engine. If it stops working correctly, the engine will either not start at all or run very rough. You’ll also encounter frustrating throttle issues and power-loss issues.

Symptoms:

When your Troy Bilt Flex’s choke stops working, you’ll notice the following.

• The choke lever does not return to the off position.
• The engine will not start or starts very hesitantly.
• The carburetor will not maintain an idle.
• Fuel leaks near the carburetor.

Causes:

Following are some common causes of a choke that no longer works.

• Faulty choke valve position indicator.
• Faulty choke valves.
• The Choke cable is damaged or broken.
• The Choke cable is routed incorrectly.
• The choke lever is misadjusted.
• Damaged choke vacuum diaphragm hose.

Solutions:

Here are some methods to try to get the choke working again.

• Try opening the choke manually by pressing on the lever end, sticking out of the carburetor’s top.
• Ensure the choke cable is installed correctly.
• Start your Troy Bilt Flex with the choke lever in the closed position.
• Check the choke cable for damage or a broken connection. If it’s broken, replace it with a new one.
• Replace the choke vacuum diaphragm hose.
• Check carburetor for varnish and debris buildup.

3. Grass Clippings Are Not Discharged Properly

If grass clippings are not appropriately discharged, it can lead to clogging and require a complete tear-down of the mower to fix it. Additionally, the engine may end up overheating, and the blades may become dull over time because of friction caused by clippings that have been left to accumulate on the lawn.

Symptoms:

The following are signs that grass clippings are being discharged improperly.

• Clippings are not discharged from the rear of the mower deck.
• Clumps of grass build up behind the mower.
• Even when aimed away from the lawn, the grass clippings get caught in the discharge chute.

Causes:

Inappropriate discharge of grass clippings can result from several factors. Such as-

• Your lawn is too wet or too dry.
• Blades aren’t sharp enough.
• The mower deck is not level.
• The mower moves too slowly while bagging or mulching.
• Mower settings aren’t correct for your lawn.
• A mulching plug may be missing or damaged.
• The discharge guard may be missing, damaged, or installed incorrectly.

Solutions:

Here’s a list of things you can do to troubleshoot the issue.

• If your lawn is too wet, wait for it to dry out before mowing. If it’s too dry, irrigate it first.
• Sharpen your blades at least once every year or twice if you use them often.
• Make sure to keep your blades balanced.
• Adjust the speed of your mower.
• Adjust both the deck height and the cut height according to the size of the grass and yard.
• Ensure no mulching plug is missing.
• Reinstall the discharge guard or replace it if needed.
• Replace your rear baffle.

4. The Cutting Height Will Not Adjust Properly

One of the most common problems with the Troy Bilt Flex is that its cutting height will not adjust properly. It can lead to uneven cuts and patches in your lawn, making it look unkempt and unprofessional. However, the good news is that this is a relatively easy problem to solve.

Symptoms:

The following signs indicate a problem with adjusting the cutting height.

• The cutting height is too high.
• The cutting height does not adjust.
• The cutting height is stuck in one position.
• The wheel is moving but not raising the blades.

Causes:

When you’re having trouble adjusting the cutting height, it can result from one or more of the following.

• The lever for adjusting the cutting deck is locked in place.
• The cutting height adjustment rod is bent or broken.
• The flex rods are bent or broken.
• There is damage to the cutting height adjustment mechanism.
• There is dirt, debris, or grass clippings stuck in the gear system of the cutting deck.

Solutions:

Following the identification of the cause, implement the fixes listed below.

• Try turning the handle to lower or lift your cutting height by 1/4 of an inch by moving the number on the handle down to 1 digit.
• Be sure to level all four wheels and ensure all touch the ground.
• Replace the bent or broken parts.
• Remove any stuck object from the mechanism.
• The wheel assembly and the height adjustment mechanism may need to be replaced if any parts are broken inside.

5. Battery Dies a Lot Faster

Another problem people have reported with Troy Bilt Flex equipment is that the battery dies faster than it should. This can be a nuisance and means that you might have to charge it more often or that you may not be able to use your equipment as long as you’d like.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of frequent battery failure are listed below.

• Batteries frequently die during use.
• It takes much longer to charge than it should.
• The battery drains even when not in use.

Causes:

When your Flex battery dies too frequently, the following factors could be at the root of the problem.

• Your Flex battery may not be charging correctly.
• Wiring issues in the battery charger.
• Internal connections in the battery are corroded or covered with debris.
• The battery charger isn’t plugged into the outlet correctly or is turned off.
• Your battery is past its expiration date and needs replacement.

Solutions:

Try these solutions to solve your dying battery issues.

• Replace the batteries on your Troy Bilt Flex with high-quality, reliable ones.
• Replace damaged wiring in the battery charger using wire strippers, needle-nose pliers, and a soldering iron.
• Ensure that your charger is plugged in and receiving power.
• Check that your cable from the charger to the wall is fully connected on both cable ends.

FAQs

Conclusion

So, that’s it. We hope this post will help you get through the Troy Bilt Flex problems if they are still giving you trouble.

Ultimately, the key point comes down to maintaining your machine. It’s just like any other lawnmower—if you want it to perform at its best, you must keep it well-tuned. The good news is that many of the fixes are easy to do at home as long as you have the right tools on hand.

Yet, you shouldn’t hesitate to get the help of a professional, especially if you don’t feel comfortable tackling the problem on your own.

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