MESSMAKER
Veteran Member
Was mowing horse pasture that was a bit high but not overgrown since I mowed it in mid summer. I smelled oil so I got off to investigate. A 3 foot branch had speared my oil filter and bent the canister just enough to allow the oil to leak out. I was not really alarmed ,since did not appear to be a huge amount of oil and I recognized the limb from about 500 yards back. I put on a new filter and refilled with oil(1 gallon) which brought it almost up to the full mark, so that left it with about 2 quarts so I was not too concerned. Got it up and running only to have it start clattering, in about five min. I loaded it up and took it home to give it a closer look. Removed the oil filter and opened it only to find metal everywhere. possibly just rod bearings, but I doubt I am that lucky. What to do now?I am thinking new motor, but ouch. I am not a good enough mechanically to do an engine rebuild and don't have a garage either. I could replace the rod bearings and fill it with Lucas and get rid of it, but that is not really my style. What would you guys do?