PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Mower deck rusting apart, engine still good

gmercoleza · #10 07-01-2009, 01:52 PM

I called on this one in Craigslist:

Used Murray 20" lawn mower.
3.5 hp Classic Briggs & Stratton engine.
Will not run. Needs work - possibly carburetor or spark plug.
I bought a new mower and no longer need this one.
Will take $25.00 or best offer.

Drove about 45 min. to pick it up, with the kids watching movies in the back of the minivan. The mower was still shiny and looked great - seller said it was 3 years old, but stopped running, and he couldn't figure out what the problem was (I noticed a shiny new spark plug). I gave him $20 for it.

Got it home and noticed the cable for the safety shutoff was out of adjustment and the mechanism was not disengaging. I sprayed the mechanism with WD40 so it would move a little better, then I pulled harder on the cable with a screwdriver. It started right up, and runs NICELY. I'll just have to either adjust or replace the cable. But I got a lightly-used mower for $20! This one's staying in the garage, so it shouldn't rust apart like the other one.

Now I have a spare engine...