Craftsman M230 Flywheel/Shroud/Blade Shaft noise?

[nyjumpee]

Hi!
I recently bought a used Craftsman M230 from Facebook Marketplace for $200. It looks practically new, starts right up, idles nicely, no smoke and cuts well. The issue is after it starts, and I start mowing, I get this metallic "rubbing" noise that, if I pull the gas tank, which is attached to the shroud, away, it stops. Then when I release it, it continues to make noise. Also seems that sometime it will stop making the noise if I stop mowing, then it'll start again when I start mowing which would make me think it has something to do with the blade. I flipped the mower and checked for up/down play. . the shaft does move a little bit, maybe 1/8"? I'm thinking I just pull the shroud and "bend" it somehow so it doesn't rub as a "quick fix" (although I don't know exactly where it's rubbing) or establish why it's rubbing in the first place. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. I have 2 videos but can't seem to attach them .mov files.

 

[ILENGINE]

If this engine has a Briggs engine and the starter rope is attached to the push handle. Remove the rope from the handle and let it retract into the engine and see it still makes that metallic rub sound. I suspect that the pawls of the SUSA starter are making contact when the push handle is moved slightly up and down when you re pushing or pulling the mower.

 

[nyjumpee]

Hi Ilengine. It's the 163CC B&S Engine (featuring "no prime, never change the oil" ~ I changed the oil and plug a few days ago). I did remove the top plastic cover and disconnected the pull rope from the handle a few days ago to see if I could get a better idea of exactly where the sound is coming from. And yes, moving the handle up/down was when I FIRST noticed it the first day I got it ~ definitely had an effect as well on the sound but not so much anymore. I notice that the back plastic piece that screws to the metal deck is somewhat loose on the left side. I tightened the screws but there still seems to be a bit of flex on the left side compared to the right. Again, if I can post a video, it seems to coincide with the blade cutting grass. . .Im not putting much force at all on the handle. . I suppose I can test that theory by moving it on asphalt and see if it still makes the sound? What's the format to past a video here? I think that would really help to diagnose this thing ~ thanks so much.

 

[nyjumpee]

Update ~ Metalic sound gone. . it was the bottom of the shroud rubbing on the bottom of the flywheel. . .I took a "punch" and banged down on the bottom of the shroud to create just a bit more clearance between the bottom of the flywheel and the shroud. . I suspect there's more play in the shaft than there should be. The issue now seems to be that, upon initial running, like the first 5 minutes, the mower seems to run fairly smoothly. . but after about 5 minutes of mowing, I notice a "lack of power" when going through even somewhat taller grass. . the rpm drops down and I have to slow down quite a bit. I doesn't so much "bog" as it just drops RPM and feels "weak". I put on a new blade and the issue remains. Can it just be a spent, weak engine? Thanks again!