I think I'm having a major probem - last season my mower stopped working - now, I'm trying to figure out the problem. It's getting fire but when I try to start it with the spark plug in it will not turn over - if I take the plug out then it turns over very easy. I went to change the oil and found that it had gas mixed in with the oil and very runny. So, where the heck do I start - I figure (novice talking) that some gasket has blown and needs to be replaced. I don't mind getting my hands durity... actual they already are as I type...

I have a Wizard I/C OHV 14.5 - AYP

Hey Mark, I see you are new to the desk. I'm sure your needle valve and seat are not closing when the float raises up in the carb bowl. Gas continues to dripdrip drip 24/7. If your tank was full it isn't now, all that gas flooded the crank and your pistion has no air space under it so it feels like its locked. Lets fix the carb first and then drain the oil later when we are sure it won't reflood. Remove the carb bowl and try moving the float up and down several times allowing gas to flush the valve seat. After a bit you should get full closure when you raise the float. If not the you'll need to remove the seat and claen or replace, needle too. Once the carb is operating right drain the oil completely, even lean the engine over to get all the contaminate oil out. Have the plug out during the drain and allow toi sit over nighjt, try draining more oil the next day. Refill the oil and the gas tank and you should be all set. Let me know if this helped you. Good luck

YOU ARE THE MAN!! -
I did what you said and also had to replace the sparkplug and everything worked - however. Seems that the problems is continuing - there is a electric needle and it seems to be working but do they go a little bad and cause this problem? The float seemed fine