Well, I really did it this time (I think). Bought a new Sears Craftsman snowblower with an 8.5-horse B&S motor. I had to assemble it in the garage, and it stated that the motor came filled with oil. Not trusting to chance, I checked the dipstick which was dry. I added oil until it came up to the "full" mark, and she started right up and ran fine - for about ten minutes. Then it started to clatter and I quickly shut it off. Checking the oil level again, it was very low and the motor smelled hot. Now I can't pull it over. I left it in the garage to cool down overnight (after refilling the crankcase to the correct level). What are the chances that it may start tomorrow? Answers other than zero are cheerfully solicited. Lie to me if you have to.

New engine are usually shipped without oil. Some places do set them up and test them. If you added oil before you started it and it still seized up, you may have just recieved a bad engine. It happens. Sounds like a warranty claim to me.

Sounds just like one that got hot and swelled around the crank journal. I've seen them do this and once cool all was OK and the engine give years of service. On the other hand, if there is metal transfer from the rod to the crank its life will be limited. No real way to know this other than a tear down.

Mike

if its new. has a warranty, wouldn't even screw with it, take it back if it has a warranty...was it still within the 90 days as well?

I picked my neighbors tiller and riding mower up for him at Sears. They both shipped with oil which I found odd. I supppose the few that get turned over are worth it because I know they used to have a yard full of tools that came back burned up. Still hard to understand that tiller, broken down, boxed up and FULL of oil. Seems like a serious mess waiting to happen.

Take the blower back.

Mike

Yeah, it's well within the warranty - its exactly 24 hours old from uncrating.

I'm not going to play with it at all - back it goes. Thanks, everyone.

I picked my neighbors tiller and riding mower up for him at Sears. They both shipped with oil which I found odd. I supppose the few that get turned over are worth it because I know they used to have a yard full of tools that came back burned up. Still hard to understand that tiller, broken down, boxed up and FULL of oil. Seems like a serious mess waiting to happen.

Take the blower back.

Mike
guess they got tired of repairing equipment under warranty when someone forgot the oil.....don't know if they still give you the bottle of oil with the pushmowers...... but i know the new rider i got at sears a little back came filled with oil. of course, its hard to miss that (shipped without oil) sticker. that and the fact it comes with its own little bottle of oil with it. it really just isn't worth the trouble if it wasn't your fault and it seized. that and already being full of oil..... they know it wasn't your fault.

Took the blower back to Sears this evening - no problems, they just gave me another new one no questions asked. Hope I have better luck with this one.