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I assume that you plan on using a garden hose to spray down the mower?....yeah...just cover up the air intake..where the air filter is......and make sure that the spark plug boots are tight.
You really shouldn't have to spray much around the engine area at all....but...if you are...then I would use some kind of a degreaser first...water won't necessarily clean grease film that well...

Just don't concentrate the spray of the water in those couple of sensitive areas..and you should be fine.
Then just let it dry out a little.

2008-04-13 13:51:03 by Sabastien G

**COMMERCIAL GRADE** MURRAY PRO RIDING LAWN MOWER / TRACTOR 18HP TWIN II WITH 46quot; OF BLADES. STARTS UP EVERY TIME AND RUNS STRONG. HAS ONE ...

Long story short.. The small creek in my back yard flooded big time during Gustav. Record breaking flood and we didn't even come close to a direct hit. I live in Alabama and the storm hit Texas!
I had my lawn mower covered as usual next to a shed. The flood water rose up to the top of the hood. It didn't stay high long, maybe 4-6 hours then it went down. I didn't do anything for a few days hoping it would dry out somehow. First thing I did to try and crank it was drain the oil, cleaned the gas line, used fresh gas, and added a new spark plug.
Now it has a good hot battery but it barely turns over. It's not even close to starting up. The motor just barely turns over twice. I had the battery tested and it's good. It acts just like the battery is dead.
Anyone have any advice? Obviously I'd rather fix this one. Now just isn't the time to buy a new riding mower for me.
Thank you in advance.
forgot to mention... it was fresh water that flooded my mower.

First take the plug out and set it aside. Then turn over the engine with the starter. If it is dragging then the problem is with the starter. It may take disassembly of the starter to find out what the drag is. The electrical connections are worth checking to the starter before you take it apart just to make sure it is getting all the amps available. If it turns over good with the plug out then keep turning it over it your thumb over the hole for the plug. It should encourage the rest of the moisture out with this method and a good starter. Do not spray anything more into the cylinder bore at this time. It is made for gasoline and just getting the moisture out will do the trick to get it started. Do all of this right away since you need to get it started asap. The only thing you do by 'waiting for it to dry out' is start the rusting process inside the cylinder bore. If you have access to an air compressor try blowing out the starter motor and any connections for the electric. Also blow out the cylinder when you have the plug out. Do not delay. It can still be salvaged. I have had similar experience with this problem with sinking jet skis. It is a hassle but keep at it. Also make sure that the water is fully out of the fuel system. A little gas poured in the carb may help it start to run when you get to that stage. Hope this helps.

2008-09-25 17:15:55 by JT

My brother-in-law was riding the lawnmower and it backfired, so he got off to check the engine and when he opened it up there were flames shooting out. They don't have a fire extinguisher, so he put baking soda on it, but it didn't work. He tried flour (bad idea) and then sand. Finally, a neighbor came over with a fire extinguisher and put it out. I guess the hood is melted and the wires are all melted.

My husband seems to think that this would be covered under home owners insurance as personal belongings. Is he right?

Yes, this would be covered under most homeowners policies. When it comes to Coverage C items (personal property) - it has to be one of the named perils that causes the damage. Fire is a named peril. For it to be fire - there has to be a flame - smoldering does not count. You had flame. The fact that the fire was caused because of a mechanical failure is not really a problem.

Now....lawn maintenance equipment is usually settled at actual cash value. That means - the cost to replace with a similar item less depreciation.

For example - the mower is 8 years old. It is the kind of thing you can buy at Lowes - what they call a "garden tractor". You have a 500 deductible. The cost to replace the mower is 1000.00. The insurance company would take the 1000 replacement cost and subtract for deprecation 8 years, say 40%. (40% of 1000 = 400. therefore: 1000-400 = 600.00. From this, we subtract the deductible -500.00. Therefore, the policy would pay you 100. That is probably not worth filing a claim for.

Before you file a claim. I suggest you price out the cost of replacing the lawn mower with a similar one and then talk to your agent. Depending on the replacement cost, age of the mower and your deductible - it may not be worth filing the claim.

2008-08-14 16:54:08 by Mrs Z

I took the dust covers off the axels and removed the c_clamps but the wheels will not slide off the axels.

You could try to find some kind of puller. Most local autoparts stores rent them out. There's always the hammer method, but i don't suggest utilizing the shotgun method. Seems to not be very safe.

2009-11-15 20:46:26 by bexar48

ok... before you answer read on:
Our riding lawn mower was stolen about 2 months ago, we had insurance that covered it, they gave us $230 for it, but will reimburse us another $1000 upon replacement, so basically they would pay for us to get a new mower, but my husband wants to pay $200 for a used riding mower. Any opinions?
Just to clear up, we don't get the $1000 if we dont spend it, it is not like we are saving money or money in our pocket, we only get back what we spend on the mower, and we both mow.

Tell him people sell their old mowers for a reason. :-| It's usually ready to fall apart. It would be far better and a much better idea to purchase a new one. At least it'll be under warranty, right? If it needs something, the warranty will pay for it.

The old one won't. The old one kicks the bucket, he has to put money in to it for repairs himself, and there's no guarantee that it'll work much longer, then he'll have to put more money in to it. There goes that $1,000+ more he tried to save by buying an old one! Perhaps that's why the previous owners are selling it.

2006-10-01 12:59:26 by stephaniencurtis