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got a question for you fellow mower guys, bought a 1996 yardman. got pretty cheap because it needed a little tlc. only issue it had was as the drive belt got warm it would slip and wouldnt move, i replaced the drivebelts and all that. after i got that situated i went to start it and when i went to try to start it the blades on the deck would start spinning while the engine was trying to start. ive checked everything and i cant find anything. btw its a manual deck not an electric. another thing is that i had a seal leaking on the crank, so i replaced that and within five minutes all the oil leaked out. i went to the local mower store and i asked the guy that sold me the seal if there was a high pressure seal along with the one he sold me and he just looked at me like i was an idiot.needless to say he wasnt very helpful. thing is this mower runs very good and its in good shape. its a 17.5 briggs, any help on these issues would be appreciated!

Let me repeat a post from another thread that might just get you the help you need. Please follow it.


Since this is a help forum, it is only fair that the people trying to answer questions have some information to work with, so they can give an accurate answer. This helps them if they need to research parts or service information on your engine or equipment. In the first part of your post please include your engine numbers from the ID tag or stamping and the equipment type and model numbers that are on it. Failure to do this may result in you not receiving any accurate help with your problem.

Many of the tech's that hang out here work in or have there own shops and the first thing they do when they make up a work order on a unit is include the engine and equipment numbers on the work order. Since this technical forum is offered free to the public, it's the least we can ask you to do, so please help all of us out. *So please post the numbers in the new topic you start to ask your question. It should be the first thing you write before beginning your question.

For your sake, I hope it is a Briggs engine you have. It is easier to get the right part for those, over a Tecumseh. The engine number is on the shroud, in 3 sections. With this number, you can look up the parts at numerous websites, including Briggs & Stratton. But usually there is only one seal on either end of the crank.

And it sounds like the belt is adjusted a bit tight, if it spins the blade when dis-engaged.

Mini Motors said:

For your sake, I hope it is a Briggs engine you have. It is easier to get the right part for those, over a Tecumseh. The engine number is on the shroud, in 3 sections. With this number, you can look up the parts at numerous websites, including Briggs & Stratton. But usually there is only one seal on either end of the crank.

And it sounds like the belt is adjusted a bit tight, if it spins the blade when dis-engaged.

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its a briggs. already got the number off the engine so i hope i got the right seal, but im going to pull the motor out and see whats going on. As far as the belt and blade issue, ive tired the recommended belt and a belt thats one number bigger and does the same thing. but whats odd is that when i first start it it works like i suppose too, but after i engage the deck and disengage it they dont stop

Check your breather. Often times if it gets plugged up, the crank case pressure has nowhere to go. The path of least resistance is to blow your seal out.