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I was given a Simplicty riding lawnmower last year. It is about 10 years old and has a 5 HP engine. I used it twice this year. The first time it died mid way through a grass cutting. My husband got it going again to just get it back in the garage. We used it again the other day and it started shuttering really hard, made a squealing noise and died. When we try to start it, it makes a loud clunk noise. My husband took it apart to see if there was anything he could do. He thinks the piston arm is broken.
So now we are wondering if something like that worth fixing or is it junk? (never owned a rider before)
If it is junk, is there a market for selling it? Parts, etc? (would help with the cost of buying a push mower)
If so, what is a fair price? (Im not looking to be greedy, I did get this mower for free)
If not, do you think someone would take it off my hands for free? We have no means of getting rid of it on our own.
First of all, a 5 hp engine on a riding lawn mower is hard to imagine. A lot of push mowers have bigger engines than that. I'd bet that it's probably 8 hp.
That said, do not bother trying to rebuild the engine. My sons & I used to do a lawn-mowing service, and found out the hard way that rebuilt lawn-mower engines are almost never good.
If you can determine the make & model of the engine, as well as specs, you can probably buy a replacement engine. Horizontal shaft engines will be higher priced than vertical shaft engines.
If your husband isn't up to swapping engines - or at least looking into it - I'd post an ad for the thing on Craigslist. It's a free advertisement. Just make sure you're honest about the engine! If you ask $50 for it, you'll probably get 50 calls.
First of all, a 5 hp engine on a riding lawn mower is hard to imagine. A lot of push mowers have bigger engines than that. I'd bet that it's probably 8 hp.
That said, do not bother trying to rebuild the engine. My sons & I used to do a lawn-mowing service, and found out the hard way that rebuilt lawn-mower engines are almost never good.
If you can determine the make & model of the engine, as well as specs, you can probably buy a replacement engine. Horizontal shaft engines will be higher priced than vertical shaft engines.
If your husband isn't up to swapping engines - or at least looking into it - I'd post an ad for the thing on Craigslist. It's a free advertisement. Just make sure you're honest about the engine! If you ask $50 for it, you'll probably get 50 calls.
You are right. It is NOT a 5. Guess I shouldn't ask hubby questions while the Red Wings are playing. I looked at the manual. It says 8.5 12 HP Hydro.
I looked for a replacement engine online. Found a website with my exact model, got excited and then noticed in red bold print the engines are not available.
Sooo...I guess I will look a little more but it seems like I will be posting an ad on craigslist.
The blade hit a solid object before you were given it. The piston rod is damaged. You can replace the engine, you can put the mower up for sale, or try to get it repaired. IMO, junk.
Looks like a new one is going to run about $550, plus tax.
Doing an engine swap on those rear-engine mowers is not that difficult. But making sure you have the right replacement engine can be kind of weird. There are a LOT of minor differences. You'd have to make sure you had the old engine with you when you went to get the new one.
Is it worth it to fix the mower? Only you can make that decision.
Last edited by Omaha Rocks; 04-17-2010 at 07:22 AM..
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I looked at the manual. It says 8.5 12 HP Hydro. 
