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I am hoping someone here can point me in the right direction...

I was out in the yard over the weekend using the mower to cut up some of the leaves that had fallen - I was not using any mulching attachments, just going over the small piles. Well I ran into one that was a little bigger than I probably should have tackled.

Moving forward, I could hear the engine slowing down as it mulched through the leaves.... then, it made sort of a "clunk" noise and just stopped. Tried turning the engine over again but could feel no compression. Rolled it back into the garage and left it overnight. Came out in the morning and all the oil in the engine was sitting on my garage floor.

The fluids have all been changed regularly, motor was rebuilt about 3 months ago, everything worked fine until I ran over a big pile of leaves (which you wouldn't think would be a problem). Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated - not sure what I need to do to get the engine back in working order.

Sounds like something let go in the engine and might have pushed through the engine wall. Check to see where the oil leaked from, you might see a hole in your engine. Doesn't sound like a good out come.:frown:

Sounds bad...catastrophic perhaps.
You just had it rebuilt eh? Did you get a warranty? Tell me you got a warranty!
What exactly do you have there? What is the manufacturer, model, horsepower, purchase price, and age?
How old is the rebuild?
Are you sure it was motor oil on the floor?
Do as bakerg notes and post back with all of the info.

Well I bought the mower from the people I just bought my house from... so unfortunately, no warranty. Its a John Deere D100 - 17.5 HP.

Not sure of the purchase price as it was used - I believe the previous owner mentioned he bought it in 2005. I didn't rebuild the engine myself, the previous owner said that he had it done in June or July - so not that old.

I'm not 100% positive its motor oil on the floor, but its very dark and appears to be.

From researching and hearing what you guys have said so far, I think I need to open the engine up and see whats happening. I just spoke to our shop mechanic who mentioned it definitely sounded like internal engine damage.

Did you check the level of oil on the dipstick ?

Ouch, sounds like you may have blown a con rod bearing...

Looks like you'll need another rebuild, or a new engine.

To find out what the problem really is though, you would have to open the engine up and see what is happening in there.

You should not have to 'open' anything to see Where the oil is coming from...
You may have to remove the deck & look under the engine and trans axle... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

You should not have to 'open' anything to see Where the oil is coming from...
You may have to remove the deck & look under the engine and trans axle... :smile:KennyV

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No you shouldn't, but what I said is that you may have to take the engine apart to see what the real problem is.

I don't think that the John Deere D100's are that old.
Read where they may have first come out last year ? Anyone know for sure ?

MSRP was $1,499.00 at Home Cheapo.

jmurray01 said:

No you shouldn't, but what I said is that you may have to take the engine apart to see what the real problem is.

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Yes ... I saw that.... BUT if I wanted to emphasize a part of my comment, it would have been...:

KennyV said:

You should not have to 'open' anything to see Where the oil is coming from...
You may have to remove the deck & look under the engine and trans axle... :smile:KennyV

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Because the oil he is seeing 'could' be coming from the trans axle......
& if it's from the engine, can be the main seal... No need to 'open' the engine to replace it.
Always easiest to look first, take apart last.... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

Y
Always easiest to look first, take apart last.... :smile:KennyV

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Thats why I asked him if he checked the oil level on the dip stick.
That would be the first thing I would do.

KennyV said:

Yes ... I saw that.... BUT if I wanted to emphasize a part of my comment, it would have been...:


Because the oil he is seeing 'could' be coming from the trans axle......
& if it's from the engine, can be the main seal... No need to 'open' the engine to replace it.
Always easiest to look first, take apart last.... :smile:KennyV

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I see what you mean now Kenny.

Good idea :thumbsup:

Correct me if I am wrong but the D100 was a new model in the last 12 months or so. This model is a gear drive unit too, I think all of the higher numbered models are hydrostatic. Might still have a warranty if you hurry.

Looks like the D100 came out in 2011 and if he bought it in 2005 it must be some different model. Is the engine a B&S 17.5 ? No compression and oil oil on the floor. It looks like major repairs and if it is a 100 series I would say junk it and buy a new mower unless you can do your own repairs with used parts. Why spend big money on a 7 year old mower you know nothing about.

reynoldston said:

Looks like the D100 came out in 2011 and if he bought it in 2005 it must be some different model. Is the engine a B&S 17.5 ? No compression and oil oil on the floor. It looks like major repairs and if it is a 100 series I would say junk it and buy a new mower unless you can do your own repairs with used parts. Why spend big money on a 7 year old mower you know nothing about.

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I have to partly agree with that.

Although you could repair it, it may be better to just replace the mower and go for another one that is in good working order.

It is your decision though.