Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda OHC non-start/follow-up, penetrating oil, plug hole


Question
Eric:

This is a follow-up to a previous inquiry.  What do you think about a bum flywheel/engine brake?
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I turned the mower on end last night and poured some penetrating oil in the spark plug hole.  This morning I put the spark plug in the plug hole.  It was locked up tight with the penetrating oil in the cylinder.  Took the spark plug out and the penetrating oil squired out of the spark plug hole when starting. Then it was back to the way it was.  I took the valve cover off - the valves are working OK.  I took the rope start/gas tank off to see if there was anything dragging.  Couldn’t see anything.  Kind of out of ideas - maybe the piston is bad - don’t know.  Model HRR2166VXA.  Maybe the flywheel brake or the engine brake.  How do I get to either one of those?

Answer
To access the flywheel and engine brake just remove the fuel tank and start taking off parts.  Once you remove the top engine cover/housing you will see the flywheel.

You can also follow the engine shut-off cable from the top of the mower handle to the engine brake lever on the engine.

Make sure the cable is releasing the engine brake.

Eric