Husqvarna mower hydrolocked or...?

Gus4200

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Thanks in advance.

I've got a 2004 Husqvarna 55R21HV mower, that I love and has ran like a champ for 15 years. This past week I was 1/2 done mowing my yard when it started sputtering, I saw black smoke popping out, and it died. I could restart it but it would sputter for 30 seconds & die.

Then, it was locked up. the recoil starter rope won't pull but about 6 inches, and the blade will spin about halfway before it locks up.

And what concerns me is this happened at full running speed.

I checked the oil before mowing, and it was at expected levels. Oil was changed in March.

So... first I changed the oil, fuel, & spark plug.

I removed the recoil starter housing, the recoil starter is not cracked or damaged. It pulls & retracts fine, stand alone.

With the spark plug in:
- the starter cup will spin 90 degrees, then gets locked up
- the blade will spin 180 degrees, then gets locked up

With the spark plug out:
- both the starter cup and blade turn freely, no issues
- With the recoil starter housing attached, I can pull the starter cord and it spins the starter cup & blade with no problem.

Thinking it may be oil/fluid in the cylinder, I pulled the starter cord a couple of dozen times... with spark plug out... to try to clear anything. I had my wife watch with a flashlight & she saw nothing ejected.

Put the spark plug back in, and it's locked up again.

Thoughts? Any ideas or something I'm missing?

With the starter cup & blade both spinning freely with spark plug removed, I wouldn't think it's seized?

Like I said, it's 15 years old, but this is the best mower I've ever owned.
 
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