John Deere E130 Problems

The John Deere E130 lawn tractor is equipped with premium features such as a 22HP V-Twin engine, a unique edge-cutting system, and a hydrostatic transmission.

However, the lawn tractor is not without faults. The John Deere E130 can develop problems such as engine problems, mower deck problems, steering problems, and transmission problems.

In this article, I look at 6 common John Deere E130 problems and proven fixes to help you troubleshoot each of them.

John Deere E130 Problems, Causes, and Possible Solutions

Before I go into details, let’s look at some common John Deere E130 problems and their possible solutions:

Problems	Possible Solutions
1. John Deere E130 Deck Problems	Clean the grass bag Level the cutting deck. Replace the defective tractor blades Clean the mower deck. Adjust your cutting height. Adjust the mower deck wheels Replace bent blades Adjust the cutting height Replace the dull blades  Inflate tires when necessary.
2. John Deere E130 Transmission Problems	Replace case or transmission assembly Install new shaft seals Replace seals or gaskets Change transmission oil or top up to a proper level. Reduce load Install a new linkage. .
3. Belt Problem	Clean or replace your pulley. Replace the damaged belt. Check and adjust the belt tension.
4. John Deere E130 Steering Problems	Change the worn bushings with new ones. Replace the loose bolt. Contact your nearest John Deere dealer to help you to fix the issue.
5. Engine Problems	Fill the empty fuel tank with gas. Replace the faulty safety switch. Change the damaged spark plug Drain gas and replace with fresh fuel. Replace the clogged fuel filter. Clean or replace the carburetor. Reduce the load. Change the engine oil. Adjust the carburetor for a slower idle speed Clean the dirty cooling fins. Check and change the faulty flywheel key. Change the throttle.
6. John Deere Electrical System Problems	Clean or replace the cable. Change the mower battery. Contact a lawn mower expert to fix the issue.

1. John Deere E130 Mower Deck Problems

A defective cutting deck can cause your lawn tractor to cut unevenly, leave patches of uncut grass and allow blades to scalp the lawn. Here is an overview of mower deck problems:

Patches of Uncut Grass

The faulty mower deck can cause your mower deck to leave patches of uncut grass while you mow. 

This might be a result of a clogged mower deck, filled bagger, low mower deck, and defective blade.

Causes

• Grass bag is too full
• Mower deck is low from the ground.
• Damaged blades
• Clogged mower deck.

Fix

• Clean the grass bag
• Level the cutting deck.
• Replace the defective tractor blades
• Clean the mower deck.

Blades Scalp Grass

If the mower blade scalps the grass while you mow, you may need to check factors such as cutting height, tire pressure, and adjustment of wheels’ height to troubleshoot the problem.

Causes

• Incorrect cutting height
• Wheels’ height is not adjusted
• Bent blades

Fix

• Adjust your cutting height.
• Adjust the mower deck wheels
• Replace bent blades

Uneven Cuts

If you notice that the mower is cutting unevenly, you need to check your mower deck and other parts such as blades and tires to fix the issue.

Causes

• Deck level is too low
• Dull blades
• Low tire pressure

Fix

• Adjust the cutting height of your lawn tractor.
• Replace the dull blades with new ones.
• Inflate tires when necessary.

Video Review

2. John Deere E130 Transmission Problems

A faulty transmission will affect the performance of your John Deere lawn tractor especially if you want to mow on hilly terrain. Some transmission problems include:

Transmission is Leaking

If your transmission leaks, it indicates that the gaskets/seals and drive shaft are faulty. You need to fix it so that it won’t affect the performance of your lawn tractor

Causes

• Cracked Transmission case
• Leaked final drive shaft
• Worn transmission gaskets or seals

Fix

• Replace case or transmission assembly
• Install new shaft seals
• Replace seals or gaskets

Hydrostatic transmission noises

This transmission problem is common for John Deere lawn tractor models. Likely causes include dirty oil or excessive transmission load. 

Causes

• Oil is dirty or level is too low
• Excessive transmission load
• Bent speed control pedal linkage.

Fix

• Change transmission oil or top up to a proper level.
• Reduce load
• Install a new linkage. .

3. Belt Problem

This is also one of the problems of the John Deere E130 lawn tractor. The belt of your tractor can slip off as a result of improper belt tension or if the belt is damaged.

Causes

• Dirty pulley
• Bad tractor belt
• Improper belt tension.

Fix

• Clean or replace your pulley.
• Replace the damaged belt with a new one.
• Check and adjust the belt tension.

4. John Deere E130 Steering Problems

A John Deere E130 owner complained that the steering was in a straight position and can only turn thirty degrees to the right. 

In this case, it could be that the adjustable tie rods are off. The steering wheel can also become difficult to steer due to loose bolts or worn bushings.

Causes

• Worn bushing
• Loose bolts
• Adjustable tie rods are off.

Fix

• Change the worn bushings with new ones.
• Replace the loose bolt.
• Contact your nearest John Deere dealer to help you to fix the issue.

5. Engine Problems

Some John Deere E130 lawn tractor owners attested that they had issues with their engines. Engine problems include starting issues, engine backfiring and engine overheating.  

Engine Not Starting

If your engine fails to start, you need to check components such as safety switch, blocked fuel filter, empty fuel tank and dirty fuel lines for defects.

Causes

• Empty fuel tank
• Defective safety switch
• Faulty spark plug
• Stale gas
• Dirty fuel filter
• Clogged carburetor.

Fix

• Fill the empty fuel tank with gas.
• Replace the faulty safety switch with a new one.
• Change the damaged spark plug with a new one.
• Drain gas and replace with fresh fuel.
• Replace the clogged fuel filter.
• Clean the carburetor or replace it if it is in bad condition.

Engine Overheating

Engine overheating can damage your lawn tractor and can also reduce its lifespan. If the engine overheats, you may notice steam or white smoke from the tractor’s exhaust.

Your John Deere lawn tractor may overheat if the engine runs under excessive load or if it uses low-quality engine oil.

Causes

• Engine is overloaded
• Low-quality oil
• Fast idle speed
• Blocked cooling fins

Fix

• Reduce the load.
• Change the engine oil.
• Adjust the carburetor for a slower idle speed
• Clean the dirty cooling fins.

Engine Backfiring

The engine may backfire if the nozzle is obstructed, gets too hot or when the gas does not ignite in the cylinder. 

Ensure that you check components such as spark plugs, flywheel key, and throttle to troubleshoot the problem.

Causes

• Bad spark plug
• Faulty flywheel key
• Defective throttle

Fix

• Replace the bad spark plug with a new one.
• Check and change the faulty flywheel key.
• Change the throttle.

6. John Deere Electrical System Problems

Your lawn tractor may not function well if there are defective components in the electrical system. Here is an overview of its electrical system problems:

Battery Does Not Charge

Your John Deere E130 lawn tractor battery may fail to charge if there is poor contact between the cable and the battery pole. This can hinder the performance of the lawn tractor.

Causes

• Poor contact between cable and battery pole
• Battery cell fails

Fix

• Clean or replace the cable.
• Change the mower battery.

Lights Do Not Work

If the lights of your John Deere E130 lawn tractor do not function well, you need to check the light connector or electrical wires for defects.

Causes

• Defective light connector
• Short circuit electrical wires

Fix

• Contact a lawn mower expert to help you to fix the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion

Your John Deere E130 may develop engine, mower deck, transmission, belt or electrical system problems.

You can identify the cause of these problems and fix your lawn tractor by implementing the troubleshooting tips shared in this article.