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Seized Engine?

16 years ago

Since this is somewhat anonymous...my Honda Harmony has an issue as I haven't changed the oil in quite a few years (but I kept it full - do I get credit for that!).

Anyways, it seems to have "partially seized" - if I'm using the term correctly. After turning the engine off, the rope didn't want to pull. Turned the engine over using the blade, but very hard. Drained the "sludge", put new oil in, and it turns over much much easier by pulling the rope, but apparently not enough to start. Is there anything else I should do before taking it in for the experts to render an opinion?

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Comments (8)

indy452
16 years ago
What do you mean by "sludge"? Is it thick like molasses? or panckake syrup?

Did you use an air cleaner? If so did you clean or replace it on a regular basis?

What were the symptoms before you stopped the engine last?

Are you sure there is not something wrapped around the crank under the deck?

Neal
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cz9h3d
Original Author
16 years ago
Maybe I exaggerated. The oil I removed was dirty, but it did flow - not like syrup or anything. Air cleaner was not cleaned/replaced on a regular basis. No symptoms before the current condition. Engine was running. Stopped to empty bag, then the rope wouldn't pull (actually the neighbor had borrowed it, so now he feels bad). Nothing wrapped around the crank - all cleaned up at present so I don't feel like too much of a "dork" when I take it to the repair shop. Just changing the oil made a big difference in ability to pull the starter rope. Can pull it repeatedly, but it's still a hard pull, and isn't close to catching and starting up.
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roydavid
16 years ago
Remove the spark plug and check it for carbon build up clean it if it does also check the gap it should be .030. With the spark plug removed give it a few pulls and check it for compression if you have compression then your good. Also check the carb and fuel filter. The filter should be located in the fuel tank, a small wire mesh filter. Does this mower have a brake bail stop switch?? If it does check to see if it is grounding, if it is this will keep it from firing. Dont forget to check if your getting spark at the plug.
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tooltime79
16 years ago
Changing oil and keeping the air filter clean are cheap insurance policies for the future. I always put "Stabil" in the gas to keep the carb from gumming up too.

Good luck.
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indy452
16 years ago
It could be the flywheel brake mechanism is stuck. Its the "dead man bar" on the handle. Follow the cable to the engine and see if its broken or loose. It should stop the flywheel when you disengage it, in turn also killing the engine. When engaged it should open the electrical circuit allowing spark and the engine to turn over freely.

I'll bet its the flywheel brake. You may need to remove the top shroud and the engine cooling shroud to access these parts fully, unfortunately I can't help you beyond that as I'm not too familiar with newer Honda engines.

Let us know what you find, Neal

Neal
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cz9h3d
Original Author
16 years ago
The mower is actually 13 years old. The engine shuts off when the "dead man bar" is disengaged (no clutch, or whatever on some that allows engine to keep running). Sounds like a good time to take it in and let the experts try to right my wrongs.
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1saxman
16 years ago
Ask the neighbor what he did to screw up your mower. Sounds like he might have hit something. At the least he somehow managed to screw up the engine brake like indy said.
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cz9h3d
Original Author
16 years ago
Ha! It started!! Cooler weather today (about 50 degrees), was out getting ready for work, pulled the starter cord a few times, and yahoo!

Now I guess maybe I'll tread it to a new air cleaner, spark plug, and blade sharpening to go along with its new oil. It needs to go in for a tune-up anyways after the grass stops growing!

Oh, and when I showed the neighbor how I turned the blade by hand to see if I could then "unstuck" the cord, he did the same to his old Craftsman and got it running! So now I don't have to share!
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