MTD Lawn Tractor Engine Locked?

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MTD Lawn Tractor Engine Locked?

Clint Williams	I'd just started the engine - notice low air in right rear tire. Filled with air .. now the engine will not turn over. I just had the solenoid & battery replaced. I tried jumping it from under the seat - nothing. When I turn the key the top grill turns 'slightly' very quickly but nothing more. Just a 'clunk' sound. If I keep trying to crank it rotates ever so slowly around - but nothing turns it over. I noticed the oil was low - filled it at the beginning of summer - but it is not completely dry. It was just running! Help.
Clint Williams	I notice as it got quieter outside - that when I turn the key I hear a faint high-pitched whine for about 2 sec and it goes away. I disconnected the two spark plugs - no difference.
Joe	Remove plugs,disengage clutch & mower,try rotating flywheel by hand(screen) 8-10 times,see if eng rotates freely without binding/seizing,if eng binds/seizes or gets tight when rotating,you have an internal mech problem,due to wear/lack of lube,if eng rotates freely with plugs out & eng an ohv,check valve clearances & for sticking/frozen valves due to carbon buildup on stems,also check that starter drive isn't hung up in flywheel.
Joe	Another thing to check/do,try checking battery with a hydrometer & charging same or connect a jumper battery to tractor & see if starter cranks eng,you may have a dead battery either due to a defective battery or you have an alt/regulator problem on eng & battery not being charged,also check wiring harness for a blown fuse on alt output,briggs/mower mfg may have installed one in wiring harness.What was the reason for replaceing sol & battery.
Clint Williams	Solenoid went bad a while ago - replaced it a year ago this month. Battery from old age last Spring. I attempted to jump it with jumper cables - no luck. Same result - "ka-chunk". I'm getting juice - when I jumped if from under the gear box (as I used to start it when the solenoid was bad) I got the same thing - and lots of sparks. I'll check for fuses in the morn...
davey	what happens when you turn the engine by hand with spark plugs out...does engine spin freely by hand?
Clint Williams	No. It does not want to move.
Joe	If plugs out & clutch/mower disengaged & you can't rotate flywheel,then eng seized/something broken in side eng OR if starter drive hung up in flywheel,last time you ran eng,bearings in starter may be seized/burned out,try removing starter,then rotate eng by hand,if eng still will not rotate,problem in eng.
davey	if you remove the drive belts underneath and engine still wont spin freely by hand with plugs out, then the engine is damaged internally. and needs rebuilding/replacing.
Gary	replace the starter, it will be fine after that..

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