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Hi - I'm new to the forum. Like many before me...I had a problem and looked on the internet to see if there was a forum that could help. Thats you guys!

I was happily mowing my lawn today when I had a catastrophic engine failure. I knew immediately that the engine was toast, but I pulled it apart to see what happened anyways. It had plenty of oil, and was not seized. The last two pictures show the cylinder can move, and the bore of the cylinder is quite smooth. This engine is off a 2006 craftsman lt3000 that gets maybe 100 hours of use per year. It's clearly out of warranty, but was not abused and was a young motor.

Any guesses as to what might have happened? Manufacturers defect or user error?

Sometimes the connecting rod can get a small film of oil varnish that will keep oil from circulating along the rod bearings, it is rare but it is possible. It just happened to a friend of mine who had a perfectly maintained Audi. The rod is starved for oil, heats up, and BLAM it breaks. If it was serviced as you say, then it is just a freak accident that could not have been prevented. If the rod didn't blow a hole in the block and you feel like trying, you could attempt to rebuild it, but that is a lot of work, and it may not even be worth the trouble compared to getting a new engine.

There is a large part of the case that broke off - you can see it in the first and second pictures. Also, one of the arms that holds the counter balance has a nice crack in it. I think this engine is toast. I'm just hoping that if it doesn't look to be my fault, briggs might be in a good mood and send me a replacement. I like your theory of oil starvation on the rod bearings.

isacguy said:

Sometimes the connecting rod can get a small film of oil varnish that will keep oil from circulating along the rod bearings, it is rare but it is possible. It just happened to a friend of mine who had a perfectly maintained Audi. The rod is starved for oil, heats up, and BLAM it breaks. If it was serviced as you say, then it is just a freak accident that could not have been prevented. If the rod didn't blow a hole in the block and you feel like trying, you could attempt to rebuild it, but that is a lot of work, and it may not even be worth the trouble compared to getting a new engine.

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Welcome to the Forum toolmaster...
From what I have seen with rod caps separating for no apparent reason... I would suspect an over-rev at some time in it's recent life...
Not saying you did it but has anyone else had the opportunity to wing it up... Too many RPM's will stretch things and set them up to fail... :smile:KennyV

Not sure how you over rev a lawn tractor - The motor has one speed. On. That is, until today.

KennyV said:

Welcome to the Forum toolmaster...
From what I have seen with rod caps separating for no apparent reason... I would suspect an over-rev at some time in it's recent life...
Not saying you did it but has anyone else had the opportunity to wing it up... Too many RPM's will stretch things and set them up to fail... :smile:KennyV

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toolmaster said:

Not sure how you over rev a lawn tractor - The motor has one speed. On. That is, until today.

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It's easy... reach down and hold the throttle open... deliberately or accidentally ... the governor normally regulates it but if the linkage is held ... The engine will go right up to Boom... :smile:KennyV

Nope - I'm the original owner. I only used it to mow my lawn - not play games.

KennyV said:

It's easy... reach down and hold the throttle open... deliberately or accidentally ... the governor normally regulates it but if the linkage is held ... The engine will go right up to Boom... :smile:KennyV

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toolmaster said:

I only used it to mow my lawn - not play games.

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You don't necessarily have to be playing games to have an engine over stress itself...
I would not expect a defect to last 400 to 500 hours... with a bit closer examination you may eventually figure out what failed first. But just going by what you have posted, I agree it's broke beyond a reasonable repair... replace it with a new or good used engine... :smile:KennyV

Sorry to hear that your season started out with a bang. Well, you'll get a new mower out of it.:thumbsup: Post here when you get it. Good Luck!

Check with jackssmallengine.com they recently had a sale on replacement engines.

KennyV said:

Welcome to the Forum toolmaster...
From what I have seen with rod caps separating for no apparent reason... I would suspect an over-rev at some time in it's recent life...
Not saying you did it but has anyone else had the opportunity to wing it up... Too many RPM's will stretch things and set them up to fail... :smile:KennyV

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I agree KennyV - Rod bolt failed, or maybe just come loose.

Since you are already in Maryland you might just want to go visit Jacks Small Engine in Jarrettsville, if you're not too far from there. Just make sure you have the engine model # with you so it'll be easier to find an exact fit.

Thanks for going to the trouble to post the pictures.
I don't have anything against Briggs and Stratton but If I had one do that after 400 hours I would not look for a direct replacement. I'd look for a mower with a Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler, or a diesel.
Someone will buy the remains or you can use or sell them as spare parts. That's just me. The only way I would put another engine on there is if Briggs gave me one.
I think the engine and oil looked clean. Perhaps you should look for an obstructed oil passage as long as you have it apart. Maybe there was some foreign matter in the engine, maybe the oil filter failed....

Do you change your oil often because from the pictures I can see lots of wear and deposits around. I would go for a rebuild kit for it and you will prob be alright cheers and I hope you get it fixed

do u mow on hills or at an angle