By tim o'keefe on Unrecorded Date: Edit

has anyone ever had the engine sieze from just sitting around for 2 weeks. I went to start my engine the other day and it wouldn't turn over. The battery was pretty bad and I assumed that was the problem. I changed the battery and it still wouldn't turn. I then tried the pull starter and it woudn't budge. I pulled out the spark plugs and it still wouldn't turn over. The engine had plenty of oil in it too. I poured oil into each spark plug hole and let it sit for about an hour. I tried it again and it reluctantly turned over shooting oil out of the cylinders obviously. It runs fine now, but what the hell was that all about??? Anyone ever have a similar problem??? I was freaking out thinking I needed a new motor!!!

By Eugene Kochnieff on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hi Tim,

Check the float level on your carb if it is high
or leaking fuel can wash into the engine (even
through closed valves) and wash away all the oil.
this can allow a thin layer of surface rust to
seize the rings in the cylinder.

It is also worth changing the oil as it is probably
badly diluted.

This is a problem encountered by boat owners who
dont start an engine for weeks.

Happy New Year.

By tim o'keefe on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks Eug:
I changed the oil, and it was diluted. How much gas could leak in though, with a mechanical fuel pump and a tiny carb? It is not gravity driven like a bike.

By Eugene Kochnieff on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Only a few cc's are needed to wash the ring lube
away at turn off, but if the carb is leaking quite
a bit of extra fuel will get through but this
should show up as rich running and poor fuel economy.

By B ill h on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Starter might have been stuck

By tim O'Keefe on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I don't think the starter was stuck, because the pull start wouldn't budge either.