This is what happens when you do not change your oil

[Jay H 237]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

..........but a little WD40 down the sparkplug hole..........

ATF transmission fluid and Marvel Mystery oil are also good to pour in cylinders to help free stuck pistons.


Sanddrag's story reminded me of our old LawnBoy mower my father had back when I was little. It was an oil and gas mixture, 15 year old mower (built sometime in the early 70's) when it started having problems where it would seize up after running a short time. It would start and run with no problems when it was cold but after pushing it around for a few minutes, when the motor started warming up it would start making noises and then shortly freeze up. You couldn't pull the cord at all. After letting it cool you could pull the cord easily and it would start again like nothing ever happened.
My father bought an Airens after that and placed the old LawnBoy out by the curb for the refuse truck to take away. It was only by the curb for a half hour or so when a guy in a pick-up stopped and put it in the back of his truck. I always wondered what he thought of the mower when he got it home, "Darn! This thing started on the first pull and runs great! I can't believe they just tossed it away!" Then it seizes up on him.