Your thoughts on seized engine

[Notsohappy]

Hi all, I am looking for your personal opnions on my seized engine. My Hustler Sport was delivered 5/1 of this year. I have used it 5 times. (I was on vacation for part of the time.) I went to change the oil after the 5 hour mark and when I drained the oil, I didn't get much out. (Probably about an inch and a half in the bottom of a gallon jug.) After filling the oil and replacing the oil filter, my mower would not start, just clicked. I called a different company that is Hustler authorized to do repairs as they are much closer and it is where I bought the oil and filter from. They came out and diagnosed that the starter is not getting 12 volts and the engine is seized. They said it may be that the starter is stuck open and is preventing the engine from moving or it may be due to a lack of oil. I asked what would happen if it were due to a lack of oil and he said I would be responsible for the repairs. My question is this; I understand that I am partially to blame as I didn't check the oil, but unless there is a leak somewhere, isn't this what I paid the company to prep my mower for? I guess my view is they should pay half of the cost to repair it and I should pay half. What do you think?

 

[Rivets]

Start by going back to the original dealer and see what he has to say. Keep your cool when doing so. The other dealer may be authorized, but you didn't buy it there, and he isn't going to go out of his way to help. I personally don't think the second company did a very good job of diagnosis. I don't know how low battery voltage and seized engine can both happen at one time and be related. At this point do not try to unsieze the engine until the dealer has had a chance to look at it.

 

[Notsohappy]

Start by going back to the original dealer and see what he has to say. Keep your cool when doing so. The other dealer may be authorized, but you didn't buy it there, and he isn't going to go out of his way to help. I personally don't think the second company did a very good job of diagnosis. I don't know how low battery voltage and seized engine can both happen at one time and be related. At this point do not try to unsieze the engine until the dealer has had a chance to look at it.

I had planned on calling the dealer where I bought it and seeing what they have to say. The second dealer has the mower now and they are going to tear it apart and figure out what is going on. If they diagnose it as a seized engine due to lack of oil, I will be interested to see if it was due to a leak or they just didn't put enough oil in it. I guess my question is, do you think that the dealer I bought it from should be responsible for part of the repair if it is determined that there was no leak? I have never had this type of experience before and am not a lawyer so just was trying to get a sense of what I can expect. Obviously this was not a cheap mower to begin with and it makes me sick to my stomach to think that I may wind up paying another $1000 on top of an already expensive mower. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Rivets]

The way I see it you have added a second problem now. You are now going to have to get two dealers to agree to what the cause of the problem is. This is not going to be easy, as they will each have a different reason to say it is your fault, as you have already heard. I cannot say who is responsible, because I cannot see the parts. The cause of a siezure could be a variety of things. To list a few, but not limited to; faulty engine part, (like rings not seating) improper dealer setup, (not enough oil, loose drain seal) operator error, (not checking oil). If I would try to say who should foot the bill, i would do a disservice to everyone using this forum. The good techs on this forum never take sides in this type of problem, that's not why we are here.

 

[MBTRAC]

Sounds to me too the second dealer diagnosis may be questionable - if the mower was running ok before you changed the oil, then subsequent to your oil change didn't start & only "clicked", it sounds unlikely the engine is seized (combined with the low voltage it seems more plausable a faulty starter/solenoid or battery is causing the drama)

However, assuming worse case scenario & the engine is seized at only the 5 hour mark I'd be pushing back damn hard for warranty/consequential damage based on poor pre-delivery &/or supply of faulty goods:-
For your mower to seize after only 5 hours either the machine was not pre-delivered with the correct oil level, or it has consumed &/or leaked oil at an extraordinary rate indicating a faulty engine.

As Rivets advise keep your cool (but be firm with the dealer on your expectations, & also call the manufacturer direct) you should not be out of pocket for this...

Good luck & let us know how you get on.

 

[Rivets]

Just thought of this. You said that you have a low battery. The bendix gear may be jammed causing the symptom of a seized engine.

 

[Notsohappy]

Sorry, the battery isn't low; it is showing 12 volts. The starter is getting 5 volts.

 

[Notsohappy]

Sounds to me too the second dealer diagnosis may be questionable - if the mower was running ok before you changed the oil, then subsequent to your oil change didn't start & only "clicked", it sounds unlikely the engine is seized (combined with the low voltage it seems more plausable a faulty starter/solenoid or battery is causing the drama)

However, assuming worse case scenario & the engine is seized at only the 5 hour mark I'd be pushing back damn hard for warranty/consequential damage based on poor pre-delivery &/or supply of faulty goods:-
For your mower to seize after only 5 hours either the machine was not pre-delivered with the correct oil level, or it has consumed &/or leaked oil at an extraordinary rate indicating a faulty engine.

As Rivets advise keep your cool (but be firm with the dealer on your expectations, & also call the manufacturer direct) you should not be out of pocket for this...

Good luck & let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the info...I mentioned the oil change as the guy was looking at it and he took the screen off and tried moving the engine with his hands and it wouldn't budge. That is why he said it is probably seized. The guy I talked with was super nice, but we'll see what the final result is. I am tempted to call the original place to forewarn them about this to get the ball rolling, but if it is something else that is causing this to look like a seized engine, I don't want to get folks spun up about something that may not be. I will definitely keep everyone posted on the results of this and please continue to chime in with any additional thoughts.

 

[Rivets]

I just had a second thought. (Only had one cup of coffee this morning) I would contact the engine manufacturer directly and explain your problem to them directly. Let them know that you probably have put two dealers against each other and that is not what you want to do. Admit that you just want your unit fixed and may not have gone about it the best way in the heat of the moment. Don't forget to mention this forum and the advise you received here. Don't put the blame on anyone yet. Many times working WITH the manufacturers rep. Speeds things put and makes everyone look good and feel better.

 

[Notsohappy]

The way I see it you have added a second problem now. You are now going to have to get two dealers to agree to what the cause of the problem is. This is not going to be easy, as they will each have a different reason to say it is your fault, as you have already heard. I cannot say who is responsible, because I cannot see the parts. The cause of a siezure could be a variety of things. To list a few, but not limited to; faulty engine part, (like rings not seating) improper dealer setup, (not enough oil, loose drain seal) operator error, (not checking oil). If I would try to say who should foot the bill, i would do a disservice to everyone using this forum. The good techs on this forum never take sides in this type of problem, that's not why we are here.

Thanks for the advice Rivets. I thought about taking this to the original dealer and actually did call them and ask them about it. They told me there would be no advantage in taking it to them so as the second dealer was closer, I went with them as I have no way of transporting it and needed it picked up. My other thinking was that having a second dealer look at it would be a neutral third party of sorts (I know they are still a dealer and want to make money) but perhaps they could tell me what happened. If the original dealer is worth their salt, I was hoping that they would step up and help with the bill. As you mentioned, it is hard to argue with the fact that if it is due to lack of oil, it still comes down to me not checking the oil before running the engine so I do feel partially to blame. I have never encountered something like this so was just looking for advice on if I am crazy to think the dealer should help or if this totally lays in my lap. I appreciate your feedback.