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.
