QuestionQUESTION: Hello, This mower came with the home we recently purchased and worked fine mowing the 1-1/2+ acres through the previous summer. A couple weeks ago, I was mulching some leaves when I heard a sudden loud clunk and the engine quit. I disconnected the mower drive and tried to re-start but no go. The engine seems to be locked up. So I need to know two things: First,how to diagnose the problem and whether it's worth the cost & effort to repair; Second, where to locate a repair manual for this mower. I am pretty good at this sort of thing and feel I have the skills to do it if I can get the proper instruction/advice on how to best proceed. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Also if above repair is more costly then the mower is worth, what are some suggestions for replacement?
ANSWER: It sounds as if you might have broken a rod. This is somewhat common on some of the Briggs engines. Fuel leaks past the carburetor into the crankcase and thins out the oil. The rod ends up making contact with the crank or the heat on the rod rises too high and you have a rod failure.
We don't rebuild most engines that throw rods as there's too much else to worry about. I feel that it's a better course to use either a new shortblock or a new engine. If it's an expensive or hard to replace engine then we'll rebuild them, but on the cheaper ones, it can be a case of throwing good money after bad.
As to diagnosing, pull the spark plug and try and turn the engine by hand. Turn it back and forth, you may find that it will spin halfway and stop. If it won't turn at all, then you just have to start pulling parts off until you find the problem. Be sure to make sure nothing is caught up in the pulleys too.
If you can give me the make, model and type number of the engine on your mower, I'll get you the manual number and can give you an idea on the price to fix.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks! I can't say I'm surprised by your diagnosis. The sound it made coupled with the fact that I couldn't turn the motor from the top kind of led me to be prepared for that. I may try to re-build it or see if I can sell for parts. FYI it's a Craftsman LT2000 with a INTEK 18.5 OHV engine.Do you have an educated guess on the cost to replace? or rebuild?
AnswerThe Intek's are unfortunately known for this problem. If you can give me the model, type and code number off the engine I should be able to get you a price. Those numbers will probably be on a metal plate on the flywheel shroud.
Rebuilding can run from $100-500 and more. If the block is busted then it has to go. The crank may be damaged, that will need close inspection. The cam can get damaged as can the governor assembly. The rod and piston is trash if the rod broke. The cylinder may be able to just be honed, if it needs to be bored, then that's another expense. Even the flywheel and stator may be damaged when a rod lets go.
A lot of people do just break them down, clean up the crank and stick a new rod and piston in. That would run about $100. I don't recommend doing that myself and wouldn't do it for a customer's engine.
If you can get me those numbers I'll get you a price. I think there's some sort of limit on replies that this site will let you make. If it won't let you post to this question again, you can reach me through my site that's listed in my profile, Grandjunctionsmallengines.com. Thanks, PK.
