PDA

View Full Version : Murray lawn tractor won't start


Cfish1980
Jun 18, 2013, 12:24 PM
It was running last year when I put it away . Now it won't start the spark plug sparks but it is dry I put my finger over the spark plug hole I feel zero compression

smoothy
Jun 18, 2013, 12:30 PM
Sounds like a stuck valve if you have zero compression...

Was it stored outside or inside?

Cfish1980
Jun 18, 2013, 12:35 PM
In side how would I free stuck valve

smoothy
Jun 18, 2013, 12:40 PM
How mechanically inclined are you? There are a number of possible ways... what type of engine is in it.

Cfish1980
Jun 18, 2013, 12:44 PM
I rebuild a few lawn mower 10 years ago

smoothy
Jun 18, 2013, 12:46 PM
I rebuild a few lawn mower 10 years ago

Is this an Older flat head engine (valve in block) or one of the newer overhead (valve in head) engines?

Cfish1980
Jun 18, 2013, 12:47 PM
Nope not valves looks to be a bad rod piston doesn't move

Cfish1980
Jun 18, 2013, 12:48 PM
Older mid 90's

smoothy
Jun 18, 2013, 12:53 PM
Nope not valves looks to be a bad rod piston dosent move

Ok... then it got a lot worse...

I'm betting condensation got into the cylinder and corroed the piston any or rings.

I once unstuck an engine that got water into it over a winter... stuck solid... spent an hour pounding out the piston with a big hammer and chunk of wood.

Got in running for another few years (without a single new part)... even though it smoked pretty good.

You might be better off finding out exactly what engine size and model it is... and looking on a site like eBay for a new or used one...

It's a lot cheaper than buying a new tractor.

Example... I lucked into a brand NEW Techumsih 8 hp engine a few years ago for a Snapper mower that was given to me with a thrown rod... Got it for $75 shipped.

Good luck getting a deal like that... but that's just an example.

Cfish1980
Jun 18, 2013, 01:01 PM
Ok I can move the piston with a screwdriver

smoothy
Jun 18, 2013, 02:57 PM
Ok I can move the piston with a screwdriver

You can try a tablespoon or two of transmission fluid or light oil in the cylinder and rotate it...

Not going to be easy to get it in... a few short squirts of penetrating oil if you have it...

Might be stuck rings if it's that hard to turn over.

If it is... you are going to have to take it apart to get the corrosion off the parts. Keep in mind this isn't a rebuild or overhaul... but can get it running on an afternoon of your time on the cheap. Even if the life of the engine was compromised by the corrosion.. you might get a few more seasons use out of it.

Cfish1980
Jun 22, 2013, 07:37 PM
On the connecting rid it has the numbers 25-0-44
Dose this number have to do with selecting the correct connecting rod seeming there are three different sizes with the same part number model# ohv155

smoothy
Jun 22, 2013, 07:39 PM
I don't have access to that specific information... I know others that frequent this forum do. Hopefully they will see it soon.

Cfish1980
Jun 24, 2013, 11:26 AM
Ok thank you for your pointers

Cfish1980
Jun 26, 2013, 09:15 AM
What's the standard size of the crank journal min 4.16 mm