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Lockedoil overfill

posted on February 07, 2010 at 07:50PM Inappropriate?

what happens if the snow blower oil has been overfilled? Snow blower was running, stalled and now won't start.  I believe this is the problem.

replies: 3 latest post: February 08, 2010 at 02:55PM by WallyP
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posted on February 07, 2010 at 07:58PM
 

If the oil pan is over-filled with oil, the crankshaft, crank-arm and piston will not be "splashed" with oil, but, will have to swim through the excess oil.

This is called a hydro-static lock - learned the term in the Army - whole different post...

You just need to drain or suck-out (depending on the tools at your disposal) the excess oil, until either the dipstick or the oil is at the first couple of fill-plug threads (depending on your machine).

Hopefully, there was no damage done by the excess oil straining the power drive.

posted on February 08, 2010 at 02:07PM
 

Like AdamO says, first make certain you have the correct amount and type of oil in your engine.  You may have gotten oil on top of the piston.  Try removing the spark plug and see if it's oil fouled.  If it is, clean it throughly or replace it.  Then, put a rag over the spark plug hole and pull the engine over a few times to help clear the oil out of the cylinder.  Ground the plug wire before you pull it over.  Then reinstall the plug and try it.  Other than that, you may have damaged something internally and may need extensive repair.  Be careful not to cross the threads when you put the plug back in.  The plug base is steel and the head is aluminum.  If you cross the threads, the head will be damaged first, another expensive repair.  I hope this helps.

posted on February 08, 2010 at 02:55PM
 

That was a common problem on a couple of the Craftsman walk behind mowers this last spring and summer as well. I don't know if it's something Briggs did and we missed, or if we did it, but we had a streak of mowers come back with fouled spark plugs and oil soaked filters after a couple of uses.

The above advice is correct. Typically a cleaning of the spark plug and getting the oil to the proper level fixes the problem. I haven't heard any cases of further damage being done in those situations.

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