Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawn mower wont start, check oil level, pto shaft

Question
Hi Paul.  I am having troubles with my lawn mower.  I put a blade on it with a couple hooks to try and get rid of dead weight and I had it on the lowest setting to get the most I could.  I had it going for about 5 minutes and then it suddenly stopped working.  I checked and replaced the spark plug and also checked the air filter and I had just put gas in it.  Is it possible I could have killed it if the mower was getting overworked which I am unsure of if it was?

Thanks for your time
Kyle

Answer
HI KYLE

HOW WAS THIS ENGINE RUNNING BEFORE YOU  PUT A BLADE ON IT WITH A COUPLE HOOKS TO TRY AND GET RID OF DEAD WEIGHT

1ST  CHECK OIL LEVEL AND CONDITION SHOULD BE CLEAN AND AT CORRECT MARK ON DIP STICK

IF YOU SQUIRT FUEL INTO PLUG HOLE  WILL IT RUN  Y/ N

IF RUNS THEN SQUIRT FUEL INTO THE CARB THROAT  WITH THROTTLE OPEN   WILL IT RUN Y/ N

DOES THE ENGINE HAVE GOOD COMPRESSION  - Y/ N   IT SHOULD BLOW YOUR THUMB OFF WITH FORCE IF YOU HOLD IT ON THE PLUG HOLE  AND PULL MOTOR OVER WITH START CORD

IS THE ENGINE MAKING ANY UNUSUALL NOISES  

DOES IT HAVE SPARK  Y/ N

HAS THE FLYWHEEL KEY BEEN SHEARD   - EVEN WITH A SHEARD FLYWHEEL KEY YOU WILL GET A SPARK BUT NOT AT CORRECT TIME

IF OIL HAS GOT VERY VERY LOW  COULD HAVE DAMAGED INTERNALS / RINGS PISTON  ETC

YOU SAID WAS MOWING ON THE LOWEST SETTING -  DID YOU RUN OVER OR HITT  ANYTHING SOLID
THEN IT STOPPED WORKING ?  IF SO COULD BE SHEARD TIMMING KEY, BUT CHECK FOR BENT PTO SHAFT AS WELL IT HAPPENS !!

HAVE A CHECK   

CHEERS  PAUL