235 engine light came on, now running very rough

[adegiulio]

I was just outside, beginning to mow, when my oil light came on. I was in a bad spot to just stop, so I started backing up. I heard a loud bang, almost like i ran over a rock (i didnt), then the engine started running very rough. I shut it down and opened the hood. Nothing obvious was wrong. I started it up again, and it still ran rough, and the red oil light was on. Any ideas what the problem might be?

TIA

Anthony

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

sounds like you threw a rod.

 

[Willl]

How's the oil level now ?, did you check it before starting ?

 

[adegiulio]

Yes, it's very unbalanced. I didn't realize it would still run like that. Is this something as simple as removing the valve covers and checking inside the head, or am I going to be disassembling the whole head(s) to find the problem. Could be a learning experience for me..

Thanks for the reply
Anthony

 

[adegiulio]

Yes, I did check the oil, it was a little low, nothing serious. I topped it up, but occasionally the light will flicker on and off...

Anthony

 

[Gator6x4]

Depending on how old the unit is you may be better off to see what the Local John Deere Dealer will give you on a trade. Repairing an engine after a loud bang can get expensive at a dealership or mower repair shop very fast. If you feel comfortable with diss-assembling the engine and doing your own repairs you may be able to repair it. Another thing to consider if you diss-assemble the engine and find extensive damge, buy a short block to replace the short block assembly.

 

[adegiulio]

Well, after a long winter, I finally got around to pulling this thing apart. I took the valve cover off, and immediately saw something was wrong. The pushrod for the exhaust valve was not touching the rocker arm, it was just lying there against the head. I pulled out the rocker arm and then the rod. It was straight and looked fine. I reattached everything, but the rocker arm was still barely touching the rod, with a lot of play. The springs seemed fine. So, I took off the head (this is a real pain in the ***, I might add), but that didn't yield any information.

So, does anyone have any idea what my next course of action should be, or what the problem likely is? Frankly, I'm perplexed.

Thanks for any input
Anthony

 

[mark1]

A friend of mine had about the same thing happen a year or so ago. He thought he had fixed it as the pushrod was bent and valve stuck open. then it happened again. (He didn't see an oil light tho. This time he didn't want to work on it and tried for a trade in. Dealer would only offer 100 bucks. He bought a new machine. I offered him 500 bucks. I found the intake valve guide came loose and held the valve open I replaced the head,cleaned the grass and ?? out of the engines fins.and have a nice GT235 with a B&S engine. Parts cost was about 200 bucks but lots of labor time, as I sort of went through the whole machine. Take off the valve spring and see if the valve is free or if the guide seems to be a bit low into the head (it only needs to hold the valve open a little bit and the pushrod will jump out of the rocker.) If it's the B&S engine the job is not too bad. and a new head comes with valves,springs,rockers etc.
Let me know if you want to sell yours.
Good luck