Better recheck the Model#. It doesn't come up at Sears. Flywheel key could have sheared with the flywheel making a nearly complete rotation?? (Unlikely, but not impossible) IF the engine number is a 143,xxxxxx, it's a Tec. Else look for a typical Briggs Model & Type#. I would never straighten a blade and reuse. Especially for someone else. Think of the potential liability! Even "good guys" sue when things go wrong.

Have you looked into the Events logfiles ? Kinds sounds like perhaps a running program is hanging, maybe waiting for input, and finally windows just shuts it down after the second one minute countdown. i dunno, just a guess; Perhaps try setting NIC in device manager to sleep after like 2 minutes. NIC activity maybe keeping it alive and then finding that program which is the activity, would be the suspect.

g'day alison, you mentioned embankment? just be careful 4 strokes aren't made for steep area mowing. if you have a steep bank maybe get a flymo for that specific area? 4 stroke for sure is the way to go honda (no experience with them) are gaining a very good rep' in this area, masport with a briggs & stratton might be next then rover (not sure what else is out there?) just be sure the b&s is manufactured in the US of A. go for models with steel ball bearing wheels masport did have an adjustable set up very ideal (500mm model), for me i reckon a bag catcher outweighs the plastic models in function usability and very light so no added weight to the mower, just remmeber to rinse or hose them out after each use, almost indestructable. not sure about honda as i said above but the masport plastic catcher is very strong indeed if you go that way. for most domsetic uses don't buy less than 3.5hp capacity 4 hp is even better. me i like heaps of grunt they last longer doing domestic work so i go for the 5hp IC models never wear them out if you learn to do the servicing right and run them in from new (read my page i think i have some hints there?). so right up front don't buy from the discounters, go to a specialist shop the trick to find one where they are fully experienced but even then you are streets ahead when dealing with specialists as they only generally sell top of the range models, which the discounter models aren't. pity snapper aren't available over here anymore they have 21" 5hp I/C self propelled model that was top of the range a very nice machine indeed great for the ladies to use. the so called home grown product just isn't worth a look these days. len Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page

Update: I consulted a repair technician who said the buzzing was a sign that the starting relay/capacitor (which he referred to as the overload relay) might be the problem. He advised removing it and shaking it. If it rattled, it has failed. I haven't done that yet, but saw I could get the part for under $40, so I decided to order it and see if that fixes the problem. He said that if it isn't the starting device, I likely need a new compressor. That makes no sense to me, since the unit would perfectly for hours on end, even days on end, then fail, and then go back to normal operation again after unplugging it for 20-30 minutes, Seems to me that if it was the compressor it would fail and stay failed, not work sporadically. Any help out there?