Posted by Keith In Washington [108.162.245.30] on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 14:35:48 :
I went out to start my 51 PW this morning after not using it for several months.
First thing I noticed was a slight odor when I got in. I soon found the source. It was mold on the interior cardboard roof panel. Had to wipe the surface down with bleach.
Second was the Starter would only make a clunking sound. After a second or two, I realized that the clutch disk was stuck onto the flywheel and clutch (the starter can't move anything with the clutch being stuck on both sides and the E brake on). The clutch side quickly broke loose so the starter could turn the engine. So I started it up with the clutch in then drop the RPMs real low and jammed it into reverse. After a couple times of hitting the gas in either 1st or reverse it broke loose. I then deliberately slipped it some to clean the surfaces then went for a nice drive to get coffee and take the dog for a run.
Both problems were due to the record rain falls that we had here this winter. We recorded the most rain between October and March since they have been keeping records. I know that at my house we had 13" of rain in Feb. and March.
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