engine not turning from sitting

[bean]

I have a 18 hp craftsman mower that I got from a guy and the engine wont even turn by hand from sitting but it was running great when he stopped using it
I was trying to see if I could get some help with things I could start trying to do to get the engine to start turning?

 

[Ifixdit]

I have a 18 hp craftsman mower that I got from a guy and the engine wont even turn by hand from sitting but it was running great when he stopped using it
I was trying to see if I could get some help with things I could start trying to do to get the engine to start turning?

You can remove the spark plug, which will remove any compression and make it easier to turn over, and give a healthy dose of PB blaster or some other lubricant into the hole and see if you can get the engine to turn by hand from the topside. Could be the rings are stuck in place and this should be enough to free them up. If that does nothing you can try turning the engine over by the bolt that holds the engine pulley on. If that doesn't work, the engine is probably locked up but as a last resort you could remove the engine shroud and try turning the engine over using the flywheel nut. Let us know what you find out.

 

[bean]

So I got the engine to turn over by turning the flywheel nut but still cant get it to turn by hand. What should I do now?

 

[cmcob2]

I have had excellent results using marvel mystery oil.Apply small amount into the cylinder several time over a period of a week or two. I also remove the valve cover, for overhead valves, and lubricated them too for stuck valves. It won't work every time, but i have been successful many times freeing an engine unused for a long time.