MTD lawnmower w/ Briggs & Stratton 5.5 engine and the crank pull cord will not pull out.?

Question

It was running for about 2 minutes and then stopped. Could not get the engine to restart and eventually I could not even pull the cord to turn the crank

Answer 1

check the oil for any fine metal particles. remove the cover and check to see if cord comes out. If it does, try and turn crank over. If it won't turn, you may have a locked-up motor

Answer 2

It sounds like the engine seized. Did you check the oil level befor starting? Tie a piece or rope or wire To the blade break handle then try to turn blade. If it does not turn engine is seized. Sometimes you can unseize an engine by using this method: Fill the crankcase with kerosene. Slightly tip mower so that spark plug is pointing down. keep it in that position overnite. The blade should turn after that time. Drain the kero and add 30 w oil. Remove spark plug and pull 5-6 times. Either clean the spark plug or install a new one. That should do it.

Answer 3

Probably the recoil rope is stuck or the recoil itself is stuck. Taking this apart is a pretty straightforward job. There should be three of four bolts holding the cover to the engine shroud, or you might have to remove the shroud. Just take your time and put stuff back the way it was on in the first place. You might have to disconnect a cable or two to get the shroud off; but from practical experience. this is pretty easy. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

You'll have to dismantle the cowling and look for the problem which is probably a stuck pulley and an entangled chord. If you're not mechanically proficient then you'd better send it to a professional maintenance center.

Answer 5

Disconnect the spark plug and see if you can turn the crank with the blade. if so, whew, it's not locked up and the problem is in the cord pulley......

Answer 6

Running for about 2 minutes, then quit..... does sound like it seized (I have fun seeing how lon they last, 2 minutes isn't out of the picture) Check the oil.....low?