I Have a 10 year old sears self propelled with a Eager1 craftsman 4 stroke engine. I change the oil every year and its never down. I got a little lax in checking oil. Last cut of the season, I was half way through when the engine started to slow down quite a bit. I thought it was just bogged down, so I stopped moving forward and the engine stopped, but sounded like the flywheel up top kept spinning for a good few seconds before it stopped. I then checked the oil and it was for all intensive purposes dangerously low.
I filled it back up with oil, then pulled the cord and it seemed to pull normal, but no compression. I then pulled the plug out to see if the piston moved or if it was seized. When I turn the cutting blade, the piston does not move, nor is there any resistance (blade turns freely) Could it be just the flywheel key? or something more serious like a broken rod. I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary other than it slowing down. No bangs but almost like the timing was off maybe? I don't know why the key would have busted as I didn't hit anything.
Can anyone give me a clue as to if this is worthwhile digging into by what I've told you and if so, where would you start? I'd like to just get it going long enough to make a couple more cuts.
Thanks,
Rob Ramm
I filled it back up with oil, then pulled the cord and it seemed to pull normal, but no compression. I then pulled the plug out to see if the piston moved or if it was seized. When I turn the cutting blade, the piston does not move, nor is there any resistance (blade turns freely) Could it be just the flywheel key? or something more serious like a broken rod. I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary other than it slowing down. No bangs but almost like the timing was off maybe? I don't know why the key would have busted as I didn't hit anything.
Can anyone give me a clue as to if this is worthwhile digging into by what I've told you and if so, where would you start? I'd like to just get it going long enough to make a couple more cuts.
Thanks,
Rob Ramm