I'm a novice at mower repair, so please go easy on me! My adventure started when I bumped the head cover and dented it. The engine popped because the input valve couldn't move. I banged out the dent and found that the tappet nut popped off. I replaced the nut and set the gaps according to the motor spec and put it all back together. It worked great for a few minutes when the engine seized. I had neglected to re-seal the cylinder head cover and apparently enough oil leaked out to cause it to seize. I got some liquid gasket to seal that, picked up some PB Blaster, removed the spark plug and soaked the cylinder for a couple hours. I still couldn't pull the starter so I removed the fan cover and tank and managed to spin the fan manually to un-seize the engine. I put it all back together, pulled the starter a couple times without the spark plug to eject the PB Blaster and replaced the spark plug. It started up again with a huge cloud of white smoke. After a few seconds the whole thing went bang and now it won't start again. The engine isn't seized, but I don't think I'm getting a spark. The starter feels a lot easier to pull than normal, so I'm really afraid I broke it beyond repair. Any ideas?
I think I would remove the spark plug and shine a light into the spark plug hole while turning the engine by hand to see if the piston is going up and down. I suspect the first seizure caused rod/crank damaged and not it has broken the rod.
I think I would remove the spark plug and shine a light into the spark plug hole while turning the engine by hand to see if the piston is going up and down. I suspect the first seizure caused rod/crank damaged and not it has broken the rod.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The piston isn't moving anymore.. Is this practical to repair or should I just scrap it? How much would a mower repair shop charge to replace the piston rod? That's assuming everything else is in good shape.
Everything on the inside of that engine has to come out the bottom since the head isn't removable. The short answer is more than a new engine cost. or in other cases more than a new mower cost.
