Your thoughts on seized engine

[Powerstroke]

Charge the battery

 

[Notsohappy]

Charge the battery

Powerstroke, sorry, I must not have been clear; the battery has 12V. When he measured the voltage at the starter, it had 5V.

 

[Notsohappy]

Ok everyone, I finally got the call from the shop. They said the connecting rod was seized. They told me they ordered the parts to fix it and they should be in by Wednesday. I asked if it was going to be covered under warranty and he said, "oh, yeah."! I have been losing sleep over this and he mentioned it as an afterthought! I didn't ask any more questions as I was so estatic. I figure when they deliver the mower I will ask them how they got it covered under warranty as sure as I am sitting here I believe it was due to lack of oil. I just wanted to share the wonderful news! I will let you all know what I find out when it is delivered. They said hopefully we can schedule a delivery before the end of the week!

 

[Rivets]

Glad to hear it, only problem now is you'll have to start mowing again.

 

[Notsohappy]

I don't think mowing will be a problem. It pained me to watch and pay someone else to mow my grass when I am paying on a new mower..;o) I do have another question for everyone's professional opinion; everywhere I read said that if you have a seized engine that you needed a new engine. They are fixing mine. Is there anything I need to watch out for? I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, just was wondering if there are any pro's/cons or if there is anything I have to be careful with (besides keeping the oil full...;o)

 

[scott47429]

as long as its done right it will be like a new engine but keep a close eye on the oil level and make shire to ask what kinda warranty there works has and if the manufactures warranty is still in place

 

[Notsohappy]

That is awesome to hear. Thanks for the info! As long as the manufacturer's original warranty is still in effect, I will be happy. They are an authorized Briggs repair shop, so I would think it would, but like you said, I better ask. Thank you for pointing that out!

 

[Rivets]

Manufacturers warranty is still in effect for two years, even though you have had work done on the engine. Dealer will probably tell that their warranty will be the same as manufacturers.

 

[MBTRAC]

Great result to hear the manufacturer/dealer is looking after you on the repair & values their customers.- makes me put "Hustler" on the shopping list if I'm looking for ZTR.

It always surprises me when manufacturers/dealers take the "hardline" on reasonable goodwill, burn their current customers, pay for so called "customer" call centres which have no authority/capabilty except to "fob" off customers & then spend a fortune on advertising/marketing trying to get new customers- happpens to all of us.

Recently I was charged for c.$600 repair for a broken plastic lever which failed on an almost new/2month old/119hr 350hp tractor - despite my protests it was not robust/fit for purpose & therefore failed under warranty, the manufacturer deemed it unreasonably as abuse.....Having this experience on top of a few other similarly ignored customer "concerns", I have now formally advised the manufacturer/dealer as they are no longer value customer relationships, nor value our 20yr+ partnership we are not be progressing with their 3 current quotes, nor in the future ordering any further tractors/equipment of this brand for any of our farms (@c.$1m+ thought of current quotes "evoparating", suddenly they're now interested in me as a customer...all too hard & too late as I've swapped orders to other brands )

 

[Notsohappy]

Ok everyone, I got my mower back! They said they replaced the connecting rod, the crankshaft and wrist pin and I should be good to go. I asked them what happened and he told me that the connecting rod was seized due to some sort of warpage and once they freed the connecting rod, the entire engine freed up. They told me this was not due to lack of oil which is why it was covered under warranty. I still find it hard to believe that I was running on that little of oil and the engine "mysteriously" seized when I changed the oil, but hey, I am definitely a happy customer! Not only that, but the shop I took it to charged me $40 to pick it up and deliver it. I was under the impression it was $40 each way. I must say I am impressed with this shop and will definitely spread the word about them and do all my business with them. (as well as check my oil every time I use my mower...) Thank you all for your inputs as for someone that is not an engine expert, this really did scare the crap out of me as I thought I was looking at a new engine on my dime worst case and best case half a new engine and a couple months of arguing with the shop I bought it from.