Question for the B&S mechanics.:thThumbsU
I (now) have a Craftsman Hydo 42 inch (917.252531) that I'm trying to put back together. Almost a basket case, but no basket. This is the machine that the previous owner 'blew up' the rear tire with the small auto tire inflator pump, Kaabboom.:fing20:
Well, the engine mounting bolts were barely hanging to engine threads. No wonder it ran, shook, and knocked so badly. I re-tightened them. Messy job.
Also, oil pours out the front of the engine, between the frame and where the first gasket set is. B&S 0162-01 15hp OHV engine. Engine runs, although roughly, carb needs tinkering. I did find the 4 rearmost bolts that secure the two bottom halves of the engine together, quite loose, 1 - 2 turns each. Hmmm. I could not detect any bolts in the front half, but with all that oil and crud under there, it wouldn't take much to hide anything.
My question: would the loose motor mounting bolts, continous mower use, and a non-mechanically inclined previous owner, would that be enough to loosen up the bolts that secure the two halves of the lower engine together, and maybe drop completley out of the engine?
If the front 3 bolts are gone, could there be any internal damage? Engine doesn't smoke, presently.
I plan on power washing the underside tomorrow to see if the front 3 bolts are really missing. If they are gone, they maybe the source of the oil leak. If they are there, gotta pull the engine.
One good thing about the oil leak, it is everywhere, oil that is. The machine has no rust to speak of. It's well lubricated, too.:sorry1:
