Lawnmower problem

[jtw61194]

I figured I'd ask you guys first. My push mower started sounding funny last night and I turned it off. It sounded like a twig or something was caught. No twig and when I pulled the cord to restart it, the cord wouldn't even pull. I mean, at all. Any comments or possible solutions would be much appreciated.

[GCHSBLUE]

Did you run it out of oil. The sound could have been metal against metal. The pistons don't work real well without lubrication. If it has oil something is binding it up. Try taking the sparkplug out and see if you can pull the rope.

[jtw61194]

I thought the same thing. I checked the dipstick and it was REALLY low. I hadn't checked it this summer, because the kids at school told me they changed it when they were replacing a rusted out wire. I put a quart in and still no luck. What should I do if it was the oil situation?

[The_Sage]

The engine may have seized up. If so it might be cheaper to buy another mower, unless you can find a used motor. Trying to crank it w/o the plug in will allow you to know if the motor has locked up.

[jtw61194]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to check with my vocational buddies. I know you're supposed to change the oil after 25 hours of use. I only use the push mower to cut the bank in front of my house and around the trees. My son has cut a little more when I ask him to, but we haven't put 25 hours on it this summer. Off to Wal-Mart we go.

[jtw61194]

Just a postscript to this. My father-in-law didn't tell me what was wrong with it, but an Amish guy fixed it for $10. I know the engine was seized up, but it must not have caused much damage.