Fatal?

[Tom7227]

I loaned out my probably 40 year old Simplicity tiller. When I checked there was old gas in it but I got it started anyway. It ran for maybe 2 minutes and then slowly died. I took off the oil cap and smoke came out. Looks as if the person I lent it to forgot to drain the gas tank but managed to drain but not refill the oil. It has a 4 or 5 horse Briggs and Stratton motor on it. It has cooled off but I can't get it to budge when I pull on the pull starter. The drive comes off the rear of the motor and turns a main pulley.

Likely fatal? If not any suggestions on what to do. I don't think it's worth a new motor.

Thanks for your time.

Tom

[LightningBG]

If you cant pull the rope, I'm guessing its seized up.

[highlife4me]

Pull the spark plug and pour a small amount of penetrating oil down the hole. Try turning the motor over backwards by turning the pulley. If you can get it free it may last another forty years. If not it is junk. I have done this a few times and it worked more often than not.

[Tom7227]

I put some Kroil in the plug hole and was able to get the rear pulley to move with a pipe wrench. Put some oil in the crankcase and I can now move the cylinder using the starter rope. It moves very hard, way too hard for it to start. Let it sit for a while and see what happens? Thanks for the tip HL. It's in at least the ICU, but that's better than the morgue.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Be happy it isn't a 31 hp Kubota diesel that my employees ran out of oil.

A new engine is $4,300, a rebuild is $3,000, and the closest one I can find is in Ohio.

The 3 local shops I've checked have all come in at $3,500-4,000 to rebore and rebuild.

[Tom7227]

I read about the Kubota. I hope things work out for you and the family as I'm sure it's been a tough summer.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Plus my 10 year old broke his ankle the first day of school during recess.

Yes, this summer can be done.

[eurolarva]

Pour two cups of gasoline into the oil crank case and see if you can get it to start. If you can let it run for about a minute then drain the gas and refill with oil.

[Tom7227]

Highlife,

You must change your screen name to Elijah.

Using your suggestion I ran it through and it just started, runs like a champ. Another 40 years for sure.

Thanks for your advice.

Tom

[highlife4me]

Glad I could help.

[Gordie]

Tom throw some seafoam in the gas and the oil when you run it next time and that will help aid in the cleaning of the internal parts and will also help preserve the gas.