Kawasaki is undoubtedly a name that doesn’t need any presentation, as it is now a synonym for high-quality products and vehicles.
The Kawasaki FR651V is one of their most appreciated lawn mowers worldwide. Small and powerful, this little friend will go miles for you and your garden, leaving you satisfied with its flawless work.
However, even this remarkable machine has some issues, namely overheating, low compression, low spark, blockages, and some problems with the charging system.
Let’s see these 5 Kawasaki FR651V problems in detail and the possible solutions.
The most common problems with Kawasaki FR651V
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There’s not much talk around this lawn mower from Kawasaki, if not to say how good this lawn mower engine is. Indeed, any Kawasaki engine is usually a guarantee of quality, and this mower makes no exception.
Even big names like Kubota, John Deere, Cub Cadet, or Ford can hardly keep up with a Kawasaki mower engine.
Despite all the great things that can be said about this Kawasaki small engine, we’re not here to do a Kawasaki FR651V review but rather to show you the other side of the coin.
Even the best utility vehicles have some flaws, and some users have found a few problems with this lawn tractor.
From the most common issues like overheating to some rare cases like low compression, we will check every Kawasaki FR651V problem in detail and finally decide whether this garden tractor is worth the investment or not.
1. Fuel line issues
When there’s a blockage in the fuel line, the engine won’t start because the solenoid cannot transfer the fuel to the carburetor.
There may be many reasons your fuel line is blocked, but most commonly, you could be using stale fuel or an accumulation of debris and dirt has gotten inside the system.
Regular fuel system maintenance is fundamental, as it prevents a large variety of issues affecting the whole lawn tractor.
A way to solve a blockage in the fuel system is to cut the pipe and give enough pressure for the fuel to flow. Once the blockage is removed, you can join the pipe back again.
Another way to remove the blockage is using compressed fuel tank air.
But the best way to get rid of a blockage is to clean the fuel tank cap regularly and replace the fuel filter once every year, so you don’t get any blockage.
2. Low compression issue
Problems related to low compression spur from having defective components.
In this case, there’s not so much maintenance can do because sometimes you have factory defects or worn-out components due to normal usage over time.
The Kawasaki FR651V lawn mower, like all utility vehicles of its size, has a variety of valves, cylinders, gauges, pistons, pipes, and more.
These defective components can cause low compression, so narrowing it down to a single cause is challenging.
What you can do about it is try to address every issue by itself and replace worn-out parts one by one as soon as you notice the problem.
Regular check-ups can surely help this process, and you can also contact your local dealer to find Kawasaki parts and see the best course of action to ensure your mower’s lifespan.
3. Overheating issues
Overheating is a widespread problem with lawnmowers, especially with the Kawasaki FR651, as this engine seems to overheat quite quickly.
Remember that this is a small garden mower, so it shouldn’t be overworked, especially during the warm season.
Overheating can be prevented by using high-quality fuel and ensuring it’s not mixed with water.
Also, clogs in the system should be removed as soon as possible, as clogged components are one of the main reasons why the lawn mower overheats in the first place.
When Kawasaki engine models overheat, another problem is that when you fill the fuel tank while the engine is overheated, the fuel will release a vapor that will contribute to the overheating process and blockage of the system.
So before you attempt any modifications, you should turn off the mower and let it cool down for at least 30 minutes.
4. Spark plug issues
This is a common problem with this Kawasaki mower, as many users reported issues with the spark plug.
The spark plug can cause a few issues with the engine, and it’s not uncommon to have a lawn mower with this kind of problem. What’s unique is how often this seems to happen with the Kawasaki FR651.
The spark plug is a small but fundamental component responsible for the spark that ignites the engine, as the name implies.
When you have issues with starting the engine, for example, when you hear a clicking sound when you try to turn over the mower, but the engine doesn’t start, the issue is with the spark plug.
Luckily, you can easily replace the spark plug, which is very cheap, so if you notice any issue with your current spark plug, don’t waste time trying to fix it and buy a new one.
5. Charging system issues
Problems with this lawn mower engine spur from a faulty charging system.
Batteries on mowers can be very sensible and quickly defective, especially if they’re not appropriately preserved.
You should ensure your batteries are always charged in a closed space with a stable temperature. Leaving batteries in extreme weather (too cold or too hot) for a long time can compromise them for good.
If you have a faulty charging system, the easy fix is to use a hot wire in the B+ terminal of the battery. Be careful of the voltage, as the B+ voltage is always lower than the main battery’s.
It could also be that the ignition key switch is faulty. Using a digital multimeter, you can test the continuity between the R terminal (rectifier) and the B terminal (battery).
If there’s no continuity, the ignition key switch is faulty and needs replacement.
Kawasaki FR651V problems: are they a deal-breaker?
We don’t believe they’re a deal-breaker because all the issues related to the Kawasaki FR651V have easy fixes and are relatively common problems that you can find with many other lawn mowers.
We’re talking about complex utility vehicles that perform heavy-duty every day, so it would be naive to think they would never have any issues.
Long-time usage can wear out many components. That’s why yearly or even monthly check-ups are fundamental to see what’s happening under the hood.
Maintenance plays a significant role in how long your lawn mower will last—fixing problems as soon as they pop up and replacing components when necessary can do wonders for your tractor’s lifespan.
Of course, some of these issues spur only after a few years of usage, but if you start experiencing problems early on, make good use of your warranty, as some of the Kawasaki parts are not as cheap as a spark plug.
Marvin is an expert in farming equipment with a strong background in agricultural engineering. He graduated from Kansas State College of Agriculture, where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering and specialized in farm equipment design and maintenance.
