It appeared to jam, but I freed it by turning the engine top by hand and it started , but after 1 minute it seized again. The fly wheel now just spin as if it is not engagaing anything

thanks

Bryan4115

Bryan 4115, August 2008

Have a look at "www.briggsbits.co.uk" for spares. I have no connection with them, but have dealt with them and found their service good and prices much lower than my local mower shop. Mail order as well as genuine parts!

Mr. Toad, August 2008

Mr Toad
Thanks for your help, it seems as if I have a broken crankshaft, maybe a replacement engine is on the cards
Many Thanks for your help

Bryan 4115, August 2008

Check the flywheel is secure on the crankshaft and the key is intact. Turn the flywheel and check that the drive end also turns. If it does, and no compression can be felt, I would suspect a broken conrod. If both ends of the crankshaft don't turn solidly together,a broken crankshaft is a certainty.
If it is a vertical crank mower, hitting something solid can break either, but I think a seized piston is more likely to break a conrod if sudden seizure happens. If the engine is an ohv. model, you could possibly have a dropped valve, but its not likely that the engine could then be re-started.

Mr. Toad, August 2008