Help! Mower won't start

[RandyT]

I suspect you have a lack of lubrication failure. I am assuming that you were mowing on a slope. If the oil was slightly low, it could of got the oil slinger out of the oil which lead to engine seizure. If the engine doesn't have an immediate seizure, it may not shear the flywheel key. the sudden stop of the crank is what will shear it.

 

[gocards1177]

I suspect you have a lack of lubrication failure. I am assuming that you were mowing on a slope. If the oil was slightly low, it could of got the oil slinger out of the oil which lead to engine seizure. If the engine doesn't have an immediate seizure, it may not shear the flywheel key. the sudden stop of the crank is what will shear it.

Ugh. Not what I wanted to hear. I wouldn't say I was mowing on flat ground, but it wasn't super slopey either.
Well I was planning on someday tearing down and rebuilding the engine, but I was hoping that would be after mowing season.

 

[gocards1177]

Yep. Just drained the oil. Hardly a fourth as much as I would have expected. What a shame. I could have easily prevented this ha I been checking.

 

[gocards1177]

Running again! Disassembled head. Hammered the piston lose. Lubricated the cylinder thoroughly and kept turning the crank with a vise grip until it could be spun by hand. Reassembled and it started!