Most Common Troy Bilt Flex Problems And Troubleshooting Guide

In this day and age, zero-turn and riding mowers are all the rage. Yes, they cost a lot, but the performance they deliver is top-notch and makes your job a lot easier. But what if there was a walk-behind lawnmower that could deliver a similar level of performance at a much lower price?

That’s where the Troy Bilt Flex comes in. It’s a fully modular mower that promises unrivaled reliability and performance. You can use different types of attachments with the machine, which lets you switch from mulching leaves to mowing grass with zero effort.

But despite its amazing design, a lot of users have complained about the overall performance of the Troy Bilt Flex. And having used the mower myself, I was quite surprised that people were having trouble with it. In my experience, if you take care of the mower and service it well, it will not show any signs of concern.

In this article, I will address the issues that you may face with the Troy Bilt Flex mower and help you figure out how you can fix them. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

4 Common Problems With The Troy Bilt Flex And How To Fix Them

Lawnmowers, in general, require regular maintenance and servicing if you want them running in peak condition at all times. And if you fail to take care of your Troy Bilt Flex regularly, it will start acting up. This is a problem from the user’s end; the mower is not the one to blame here.

That being said, if problems do come up, you need to know how you can fix them. So let me talk about some of the common issues that can occur due to poor maintenance and give you some troubleshooting tips to set things right.

1. Trouble Starting The Engine

The Troy Bilt Flex lawnmower has a reputation for being difficult when you are trying to start it. And if you don’t service it regularly, things can get even more complicated. If your lawnmower doesn’t turn over, regardless of what you do, it might be time for a repair.

Typically, the Flex lawnmower takes a couple of attempts to get started. However, if, after multiple attempts, the mower does not start at all and you notice a high-pitch noise instead, then there’s a problem with the engine. So put on your gloves and get started on the repairs.

The first thing to check is the fuel line. There’s a chance that the engine trouble is simply the aftermath of stale fuel or a clogged fuel line. If the fuel is old, you need to replace it. And make sure you clean out the fuel line and filters while you’re at it.

For the next step, inspect the spark plugs. Sometimes a loose spark plug is all it takes to make it impossible to start the Troy Bilt lawnmower. So, you need to reseat the spark plug after cleaning it up and inspecting it for signs of damage. If the plug is damaged, you need to replace it.

Most of the time, these steps should resolve the issue. But if the problem persists, then the carburetor might be the problem. A bad or clogged carburetor can mess with engine performance and cleaning it up should set things right.

2. Faulty, Non-Functional Choke

In most lawnmowers, the choke primes the engine with fuel to ensure a smooth startup. And if it starts malfunctioning, then the engine will not start up. Even if it does, the engine performance will be extremely rough, and it will lose power frequently.

You can take it as a sign that the choke is not working properly if the choke lever doesn’t come back to the off position after starting the engine. Another symptom of the choke issue is that the carburetor cannot hold its idle state. The most common reason behind a faulty choke is the choke valves.

If the valve position indicator is faulty or the cables are damaged, the choke will fail to work properly. Sometimes, the choke lever can also get misadjusted, which can lead to this issue.

To fix the choke, you should first try opening it manually. You can do this by pressing down on the end of the choke lever that is sticking out from the top of the carburetor. Make sure the cable is installed properly, and there are no signs of damage.

Inspect the vacuum diaphragm hose and replace it if needed. Finally, check the carburetor for dirt build-up and clean it with a rag. Replacing the damaged parts should fix the issue.

3. Grass Clipping Won’t Discharge Properly

A common issue in the Troy Bilt Lawnmower is that the grass clippings are not discharged properly. It might not seem like a big issue, but if left unchecked, the buildup of clippings can lead to clogging inside your mower. In fact, this can even lead to overheating in the engine.

So, if the clippings are not properly discharged from the chute, you need to figure out what’s wrong and fix it. But before you start your diagnosis, check your lawn. If the lawn grass is too wet and you try to mow the lawn in that state, it can cause the grass clipping to get stuck in the chute resulting in faulty discharge.

Other reasons that can cause the mower to not discharge properly are an uneven deck and dull blades. I always suggest resetting the mower deck before you start mowing your lawn and checking the blades for sharpness. If the blades are dull, you should resharpen them before you start your work.

On the mechanical side of things, a missing mulching plug can also lead to improper discharge issues. So, inspect the mulching plug and replace it if it seems damaged. Also, check the settings in your lawnmower and make sure that it is adjusted properly for your lawn.

4. The Cutting Height Will Not Adjust Properly

Another issue that can sometimes come up in your Troy Bilt Flex is that you can’t adjust the cutting height properly. Needless to say, it’s not a good thing to have to happen to your mower as it can result in uneven cuts leaving your lawn downright horrendous. But thankfully, the fix is easy.

The cutting deck in the Troy Bilt mower can be raised or lowered depending on the length of grass you want to cut. But sometimes, it just gets stuck. Typically, this is due to a bent or broken flex rod or adjustment rod. But sometimes, the height adjustment lever can also be the culprit.

The first thing to do is inspect all the rods and check for any signs of damage. If any of the rods seem bent or broken, you need to replace them right away. You should also check for any debris or rubble stuck inside the mechanism. Sometimes a blockage can cause the height adjustment lever to get stuck.

Once you have gone over the basics, take a look at the wheel assembly. If the assembly is damaged, you need to replace it. But to do that, I would recommend consulting an expert. He would also be able to suggest a compatible assembly and help you get things set up properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are planning on getting a Troy Bilt Flex for your home, it’s natural to have doubts. But asking questions is the right way to determine if it’s a good fit for you. To that end, here are a couple of questions that people have asked me about the Troy Bilt Flex lawnmower in the past.

1. What’s the Power Base in Troy Bilt Flex?

The power base is the component in Troy Bilt Flex that allows you to use a wide variety of attachments with the device. You can use a leaf blower attachment, a pruner, or even a cultivator thanks to this device.

2. Why is the Troy Bilt Flex so heavy?

While the weight of the Troy Bilt Flex might feel a bit overwhelming, it is a necessary element. The weight comes from the engine and components, which in turn allows the mower to deliver optimal power. I would suggest balancing your arms on the mower to get the most out of it.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, most of the issues that I talked about here are fixable. And if you are careful with how you use it, you will be able to prevent them from ever coming up in the first place.

With regular maintenance, you can ensure error-free, long-term usage of your lawnmower. I hope my in-depth look at the different Troy Bilt Flex problems could help you fix any issues you might be having with your machine. Good luck!