I have a murray riding mower (briggs and stratton engine) that will not start. I had it checked by two repair men and was told the engine is seized. How would I go about repairing/replacing the engine? I have checked the net and see it is possible to buy the enging, but was wondering is this something I want to get involved with.

Thanks

Please clarify your answer.

I had the same thing happen on my John Deere L111 a few weeks ago. John Deere experts told me the engine was seized and nothing could be done-a green paperweight! I removed the spark plugs and the flywheel cover. I took a pair of lock pliers and broke the flywheel loose. I then turned the flywheel using the pliers as a handle. I listened and realized that I still had compression. I replaced the spark plugs, changed the oil, and cleaned everything well. The mower started quickly. I do have some clatter no doubt from some damage to the cylinder wall. I have read that as long as I keep a close eye on the oil and change it after each mowing for the first few times, the cylinder wall will adjust and it may run for years without incident. Guess I got lucky. Try it. You may be lucky as well.

Murray went out of business, so you have to weigh that. It's always nice if you have the room to make this a learning experience.

Engine is seized which usually means the piston is stuck.

It involves disassemling the engine and removing the crankshaft. Pushing the piston out. Assessing the damage. Honing the cylinder walls, installing oversized rings if necessary.

Inspecting the rods for bending.

It's not hard, but it's not easy either. You may need some special tools like a flywheel puller, piston ring compressor and a dial caliper.

Go to the library and look a t a book about small engine rebuilding.

You'll need briggs manual (pay) and breakdown diagram (free).

I had a John Deere lawn tractor. Water got through the roof of our garage (mean winter 07!), found its way into the engine, rusty. I did some Googlling and found this: Seized engine problem? Engine Release works, or your money back! yeah I know, I had exactly the same thought, "Put a handle on me and call me a mug" but I couldn't afford a shop rebuild.

Anyway the short story is, it worked!! (That deserves four !s). It worked so well I have told everybody I know about it. So I am telling you too. It will save a lot of heartache and if it doesn't work they claim to give a refund. Don't know because I didn't have to ask!