Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - what could be wrong?

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.



PDA

View Full Version : what could be wrong?

ringoryan8
07-09-02, 08:39 PM
i got a free mower and i wanted to know what the possibilities of problems are that could be wrong. (does that sound right?)
The pull starter is hard to pull( the piston may have seized) what are the signs of a siezed piston and what are other things that could have gone wrong with it and what are the signs?
thanks for your help:D

cheese
07-09-02, 09:29 PM
Hello ringoryan8!

Make sure the safety bar cable is disengaging the engine brake....if equipped. If it isn't, that is your problem. If it is, Remove the spark plug, try to turn the engine by the blade. If it doesn't budge, it is siezed. Also if it is out of oil, it is a pretty good indication that it is siezed too.
ringoryan8
07-09-02, 09:37 PM
at first it wouldnt budge but now it does, i guess it may have been seized. what do i need to replace?

cheese
07-09-02, 09:54 PM
You may not need to replace anything. What kind of mower is it? You might try starting it, and go from there to find out what needs repair.
ringoryan8
07-09-02, 10:08 PM
its really hard to pull though. I have a california snapper. briggs 3 1/2 hp.
cheese
07-09-02, 10:18 PM
Was it out of oil? Did you check the safety bar cable?
ringoryan8
07-09-02, 10:20 PM
it had some oil, i'll check the safety bar cable and respond tomorrow
J A Boggan
07-09-02, 10:21 PM
The first thing I would do is pull the head off. You can inspect the cylinder (for scouring) and also if the valves are working properly and what condition their in.
cheese
07-09-02, 10:30 PM
That is a good way to get an idea of what kind of shape the engine is in, but to find out whether the hard-to-turn condition is internal, or external, the easy things should be checked first.