mower just stopped while cutting, wont start

5 yr old sears self propelled stopped abruptly after just 5 minutes of cutting today. when i pull it sounds normal, just as if it's not getting 'something' it needs to start

full tank, i even took off the fuel line and gas flowed freely so the tank isnt clogged, took off the air filter and yes it needs replaced but wouldnt start with it off even. the plug is pretty bad but shouldnt it have stayed running even if the plug was bad. at this point the only thing i can thing of is the plug or maybe something got in the fuel line downstream? I wouldnt know how to clean out the line though

ideas? thanks

edit: just went out and got a new plug and that didnt work either. So i'm perplexed

 

Did you hit something?
Post the engine mfg, model, code, etc so we know what you are working with. Have a good one. Geo

 

i was lifting it up to get higher weed near sidewalk so may have hit the curb but even if so i've hit many other 'worse' things that than before lol.

B&S family 2bsxs 1901vh 275260 i assume thats what you need? mower model is 917.377661 if that helps

edit: been trying to read up on some things and people talk about a flywheel key possibly..thing is, on the sears site i looked thru all the parts for my model and dont see anything called a key. Of course i dont even know if thats the problem.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...0303229&blt=06

 

The flywheel key is #24 on this page. Craftsman parts breakdown is terrible. Kinda have to know where to look. Flywheel key could be with the flywheel or in this case with the crankshaft. Key parts #222698. Sears price $3.32.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...0504253&blt=06

 

holy cow i wouldnt even know how to get to that part lol. i've never taken off an engine before but looks like you have to? Plus how do you know if that's what is wrong? I did lean it over and the blade turns with a bit of resistance but i'm guessing thats how it should be.

 

Check to be sure the bale on the handle that operates the engine brake is working properly. It's possible the cable is loose or came off. If the bale is disconnected the engine will not run.
Backachers

 

is bale the wire connected from the deadman switch ? I just replaced that a month ago when it snapped. I'm unsure if it's working right though because i never noticed its operation before. I guess you call that the throttle? the part towards the front of the mower stays fixed and when i squeeze the handle down the back part of the throttle moves a bit forward towards the front.

I can also tell you that the pull cord is virtually impossible to pull when the handle isnt being held but when i put it down, it does pull freely.

 

Was it out of oil? Does it have compression or does the engine spin really easy when trying to start it? (easier to pull than it used to be)?

 

has oil and has the same 'pull' as before...maybe a tad easier but i may be influenced by the question just being asked too. I'm pretty sure it's the same though, thats why i was confused, just seemed like wasnt getting fuel or whatever but all else was the same

maybe i just have to bite the bullet and pay since i really dont know how to take engines apart lol?

 

You don't need to remove the engine to get to the fly wheel key. You just need to remove the nut, that holes the flywheel on. The key is made to brake if you hit something, so you don't do to much damage to the engine. Some times it doesn't take much. I ran over a wooden tent stake, and broke my key.

 

oh ok so it's totally under the deck, just taking off the blade? That i could probably handle. I'm assuming if i take off the blade it will be obvious to me if the key broke?

 

No, it is on top of the engine. The top engine shroud needs to be removed to access it. I think you may be ahead to let a shop take a look at it for you. I don't mean this in a bad way, but it sounds like you don't know your way around an engine and could possibly wind up causing more damage than fixing. Nothing wrong with that, some of us are gearheads, and some of us are strong in other important areas. If you do decide to fix it and want advice, no problem, we can help. Just making an observation.

 

not mower engines lol...just car....i can change my oil, replaced my water pump, all heater hoses, belt tensioner, rotate my own tires, change out my radiator, new alternator/battery, but this little mower is a challenge for some reason. I believe if you read you can do most anything though

 

If you can change a water pump you should be able to handle this NP.
Only thing to be cautious with is the flywheel can be fragile and sometimes a pain to get off the crank. It also might require removing it just to verify the key is sheared or not as some it is not easy to tell.
If you decide to get into it, there are tools available, perhaps even for rent, or some other tips/tricks to getting it off.
Could even pull it down to the flywheel then haul it to a shop and they would prolly pop it off for you for minimal if any charge.

 

Ok, I was just going by your reply that you wouldn't even know how to get to that part. Remove the top metal shroud over the engine and then you can remove the flywheel nut and inspect the key.

 

decided to drop it off at the local shop, he spun the blade and said that seems ok, he unscrewed the air filter and i told him i never put it back in after i was trying to start it , so i'm unsure what he was looking for in there...but then he tried to start it and said the compression 'felt bad'

so is it possible to tell a bad engine in this manner? and could hitting something have damaged the engine? it's only 5 years old and would suck to have to pay$$$

i guess no mower place has space for them all inside but mine's never not been in cover..but they are made to sit outside and still work i assume? lol

 

update

i called today to see how it's doing and he said the flywheel key and a bad ground. I didnt even know to look for a ground or where it would be lol. So i think when i get the bill hopefully it's not too bad though, sounds like something relatively simple

with the holiday i may not get it for a few days.

 

45 bucks for filter, flywheel key, repair ground wire

 

Well, $45 for anything is a good deal! Not much work for a Pro in his own shop...but $45 is cheap in my opinion...

 

well it's a mom / pop hardware store that does equipment out back so i was hoping it would be reasonable