Did I screw the lawnmower?

[Lean L]

Mowing the grass yesterday with a push mower and accidentally ran over a very small tree stump. It bent the blades but that's the minor issue. When I try to start it now, the exhaust shoots out motor oil. Can this be fixed? If so where do I go for the best prices?

 

[lxskllr]

Push mower? Better off just buying a new one if you can't fix it yourself. Small engine repairs are pricey compared to buying a new machine.

 

[Lean L]

Okay that's what I figured. Although Sears did look like they may have a flat rate since i put in the damage and it just spit out $65 on the site. Anyone know anything about that?

What happened btw? Did the engine block shatter from a sudden stop? It's only 4HP...

 

[Broheim]

I'm guessing it's a 2 stroke right?

 

[nicolaskl]

What happened btw? Did the engine block shatter from a sudden stop? It's only 4HP...

Yep, more or less. The sudden stop probably either destroyed the piston or the rod. I'd guess it is unlikely that you'd be able to get it fixed for 65 bucks, but I don't know for sure.

 

[waggy]

Push mower? Better off just buying a new one if you can't fix it yourself. Small engine repairs are pricey compared to buying a new machine.

depending on the brand this is the best advice.

Thought it also gives you a chance to mess around and try to fix it yourself. that is if you enjoy that kind of things.

go to garage sales or auctions. I got a 10 yr old Toro push mower for $10 i have used 10 years or so now.

granted i only use it now to get under tree's and such.

 

[Rastus]

There is a shear pin on the flywheel that shears off when that happens. Replace it and you should be fine.

 

[Minerva]

Clark is that you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfmKwgrQzdE

 

[PottedMeat]

There is a shear pin on the flywheel that shears off when that happens. Replace it and you should be fine.

i'm guessing that didn't shear if engine oil shoots out the exhaust (wtf?!?). what the hell would cause that, a cracked block?


working self-propelled/push mowers are always at garage sales for $20-$50.

 

[shortylickens]

I like the old fashioned reel mowers.
No gas, no oil, no power cord.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If you can confirm the motor is completely toast, see if you can replace it. Would make a fun project. People tend to throw out their mowers when they have issues and the engine is ok.

Heck if you want to have fun try to see if you can find a washing machine motor, then you'll just need an inverter and big ass lead acid battery. :awe: Electric conversion ftw.

 

[lxskllr]

I like the old fashioned reel mowers.
No gas, no oil, no power cord.

I used to do my yard with one, but got tired of it. I had too much yard, and my idealism waned. I now use a riding mower. I use my reel mower to mow a rowhouse yard for the tenant of a friend of mine. I get $15 a mow. I'd prefer not to, but all said, it's a fairly easy $15. I hate mowing grass though. My ideal yard would be an eastern bolder field, and the only green would be trees, moss, ferns, and the occasional berry vine.

 

[Lean L]

There is a shear pin on the flywheel that shears off when that happens. Replace it and you should be fine.

I can still start it though. It also spews oil from exhaust.

 

[IronWing]

Did I screw the lawnmower?

One way to check. Look down and see if your man parts look like sliced beets.

 

[nonameo]

I can still start it though. It also spews oil from exhaust.

It doesn't matter. Sheared one recently and the mower would still start, just ran like crap because the timing was off. Replacing the key resolved the issue. They're usually made of aluminum so that they intentionally shear easily.

edit: you can do this in about an hour with some basic tools. It might also be beneficial to have someone help you. You should be able to get a key at your local hardware store

 

[Lean L]

It doesn't matter. Sheared one recently and the mower would still start, just ran like crap because the timing was off. Replacing the key resolved the issue. They're usually made of aluminum so that they intentionally shear easily.

What about the oil then?

 

[tokie]

Was there penetration? If so, you did screw it.

 

[conehead433]

I can still start it though. It also spews oil from exhaust.

When the flywheel key gets sheared the flywheel gets out of position basically causing a issue similar to the engine being out of time. It's a relatively simple fix (replacing the flywheel key). If it still cranks I'd replace it and see if your other problems didn't clear up. Shearing the flywheel key is a common problem on mowers with the blade attached directly to the engine. Commercial small mowers usually have an extended deck and the blade operates off a belt, avoiding this problem.

 

[nonameo]

What about the oil then?

shrug. I know a little, but I've never had trouble like that before. Replacing the key is a cheap and relatively easy fix for a common problem, which is why we're all saying to at least check it out

 

[0roo0roo]

just a youtubes search
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWcIiZtvbug
didn't watch it though

 

[futuristicmonkey]

If you can confirm the motor is completely toast, see if you can replace it. Would make a fun project. People tend to throw out their mowers when they have issues and the engine is ok.

Heck if you want to have fun try to see if you can find a washing machine motor, then you'll just need an inverter and big ass lead acid battery. :awe: Electric conversion ftw.

A typical car battery stores about as much energy as 29ml of gasoline. This would be an exercise in changing batteries

 

[WHAMPOM]

What about the oil then?

Did you tilt the mower to look at the blade? That usually runs excess oil into the cylinder/valves to cause it to spit oil for awhile.

 

[Red Squirrel]

A typical car battery stores about as much energy as 29ml of gasoline. This would be an exercise in changing batteries

Is it really that little? Seems quite low. We used to run a TV (CRT) for like 5 hours at camp with a car battery and inverter. Seems they have a decent amount of juice. Bad to discharge them completely though.

 

[Spikesoldier]

Did you tilt the mower to look at the blade? That usually runs excess oil into the cylinder/valves to cause it to spit oil for awhile.

this

 

[SparkyJJO]

Is it really that little? Seems quite low. We used to run a TV (CRT) for like 5 hours at camp with a car battery and inverter. Seems they have a decent amount of juice. Bad to discharge them completely though.

Deep cycle battery.