having engine problems after daughter hit a stump. I suspect possible shaft or crank is broke. Is there a way to find out without opening case? Also have broke motor mount or broke mounting platform but it looks like it is lower part of mower as well. Is it Dead? If main shaft or crank is broke the repairs will more the the mower is worth
Get someone to help you in this procedure: remove spark plug and ground the plug wire. Have your helper tilt the front of the mower up until the handle where you hold the mower is on the ground. Pull the bail to remove the engine brake and have your helper step on the bail to hold it in place. Your job is to look at the blade retainer bolt while your helper pulls the starter handle. Keep your hands away from the mower blade and use your eyes only (with proper eye protection) to watch the center blade retainer bolt. If the bolt spins in a perfect circle the shaft is not bent but if the bolt spins in an egg shaped circle the shaft is bent and you need to buy a new mower as the repair will cost more than half the price of a new mower.
If one of the mounting bolt flanges broke, buy a new mower of the same kind and you will have some spare parts from the old one.
No problem. We do some work for some of the local box stores and see bent crankshafts all the time and this is the first check we make. If the crank is bent we stop right there and junk the machine for spare parts.
