Teams
Forum List
Toggle sidebar

Did I Ruin my Lawnmower?

khardbored

khardbored

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2012
9,752
7,067
113
Middle of the Midwest
Hi guys, can use some CF experience from those of you who know this stuff...

Today I got my self-propelled push mower out of the shed to "dewinterize" in anticipation of some weekend mowing. Well, long story short, I got sidetracked, changed plans and forgot to put any motor oil in before I ran it.

I mowed for about 10-15 minutes (there was likely a tiny amount of residual oil in it that I wasn't able to pump out last Fall) and the motor really started dragging, I shut if off and realized what I had done!

I put oil in it and have let it sit now for about 2 hours, it won't even start. Trying to pull the cord, I get nothing (can't pull, too firm).

Suggestions?

Did I ruin it for good?

If not, what should I do next?

Thanks.
 
You may have ruined it but unknown. Unless you heard any grinding noises, I think you are probably ok, but it very well might take a tear down to figure out why it won't start now. When you manually turn the blades on the bottom, do they have significant resistance?
 
Too firm to pull? TWSS.

My apologies but IMO it's now toast.
 
Omower2seedMover01.jpg
 
  • Funny
  • Agree
Reactions: 2020cy, Doc and CtownCyclone
Gorm said:
You may have ruined it but unknown. Unless you heard any grinding noises, I think you are probably ok, but it very well might take a tear down to figure out why it won't start now. When you manually turn the blades on the bottom, do they have significant resistance?
Click to expand...

There is only a single blade. I tried to turn it but only with a very small amount of force, it would not turn. I have not yet tried pushing harder.

I did not hear any grinding noises, it sounded like the engine was struggling to maintain it's RPMs for about 30 seconds, then I shut it off "as a precaution" and about 3 minutes later realized what I had done.
 
Yeah, you probably seized the engine up. Piston rings can be unseized if you're handy, but if you forgot to put oil in your engine, I'm guessing you're not.

If you're in love with your mower, take it to a small engine guy. Otherwise, buy a new one.
 
If you can't turn the blade with minimal force it's probably ruined. Unless you are good with small engines you'll spend more money at a mower repair shop than its worth so chalk it up as a brain fart and just buy a new mower.
 
khardbored said:
Hi guys, can use some CF experience from those of you who know this stuff...

Today I got my self-propelled push mower out of the shed to "dewinterize" in anticipation of some weekend mowing. Well, long story short, I got sidetracked, changed plans and forgot to put any motor oil in before I ran it.

I mowed for about 10-15 minutes (there was likely a tiny amount of residual oil in it that I wasn't able to pump out last Fall) and the motor really started dragging, I shut if off and realized what I had done!

I put oil in it and have let it sit now for about 2 hours, it won't even start. Trying to pull the cord, I get nothing (can't pull, too firm).

Suggestions?

Did I ruin it for good?

If not, what should I do next?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Buy a new one. Motor is probably toast. I add Stabil to gas for winter. But I do not drain oil from the block for winter storage. I have never known anyone to do that. And you should always check oil level before starting the motor the first time each day you start it.

They don't even recommend draining the fuel tank. Add fuel stabilizer and then run motor for a bit to get stabilized fuel in carburetor.

Good luck with your new lawnmower.

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/n...tting-your-lawn-mower-to-rest-for-winter.html
 
  • Agree
Reactions: CycoCyclone, besserheimerphat and Ryan4069
khardbored said:
There is only a single blade. I tried to turn it but only with a very small amount of force, it would not turn. I have not yet tried pushing harder.

I did not hear any grinding noises, it sounded like the engine was struggling to maintain it's RPMs for about 30 seconds, then I shut it off "as a precaution" and about 3 minutes later realized what I had done.
Click to expand...

Your cylinder is scored at the very least. You could have a cracked ring. Motors on push mowers are considered throw aways. Cheaper to buy new.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Help Support Us

Become a patron
Top Bottom
Back