Scag SZL48-21FR

[nhcajun]

Engine is Kawasaki FR651V. Purchased in 2020. Mower has performed well until now. The fluids have been changed on schedule. One day recently while mowing it just quit & wouldn’t start after that. I took it to the dealer who said the engine was locked up & needs replacing even though oil on the stick shows full & is new looking, there’s burnt oil under the valve covers. They blame it on a 3rd party filter. I see the warranty is 3 years; I’m just looking for another opinion because this doesn’t make sense to me.

 

[StarTech]

Warranties are written to protect the manufacture no the consumer. In your case all they got to claim is the oil filter didn't Kawasaki specs which is most times BS. Besides you are outside the warranty period so you have no warranty claim and just has to bite the bullet and with the replacement costs. Oil pumps do fail BTW.

https://cdn.sanity.io/files/nyxfdb77/production/7d618bbdc7cfc2f4b84c792925ebd4713557cfe1.pdf

 

[ILENGINE]

I think somebody is making excuses for not wanting to find the real cause. Is it possible that the oil filter failed, yes. But I would want the shop to prove to me it was the oil filter with evidence.

 

[StarTech]

I think somebody is making excuses for not wanting to find the real cause. Is it possible that the oil filter failed, yes. But I would want the shop to prove to me it was the oil filter with evidence.

Agree. Some shops just looking to sell engines.

A few years ago here I had a walk-in commercial user that wanted a second opinion on Hustler Super Z with a Kawasaki engine. The dealer told he needed a $4000 engine. Well it turn out to just be a blown head gasket. A $300 repair. A year later I did end up replacing the opposite cylinder head and associated gaskets due a valve guide issue cause by a stuck valve.

Then a year it was the RH wheel where someone removed the brake drum and didn't the nut back to specs. That one did need a new wheel motor as Hydro Gear doesn't sell just the axle. Plus a new brake drum.

Personally I prefer to show the customer the root causes when questioned. And are welcome to get another opinion. I just returned a Stihl MS170 that the needle rod bearing at the crankshaft fail taking out the piston. It costs more than a new MS170 to repair. Just proves I am a honest shop.

 

[MParr]

I would definitely get a second opinion. You could check it yourself. Pull both spark plugs and manually rotate the engine. If it rotates freely, it isn't locked up.