Saturday I finally got my mom's lawn mower into the shop.

I had disassembled it a while ago when it quit working to clean it out. It was gross! I doubt it had been cleaned since it was new in June 2004. When I put it back together it still wouldn't start, either by pulling or electric.

While the cover was off, I had a chance to really look at the guts of the thing. There is a big round gear on top with plastic teeth, all chewed up.



I told the repair man that I thought I knew what the problem was. I said the big round gear thingie that goes around was all chewed up.

"Huh?" he said. I don't know what you mean." I added that it's a big round thing with teeth on it. Next I said it goes around on top of the motor. Last I just said, I'm sure you'll figure it out when you take it apart.

Finally the light went on and he said the thought it was the flywheel. (Duh!) "They used to be made of plastic but they've upgraded them. He showed me an example, "see they're made of metal now. The teeth on yours are probably worn down. They're really expensive though. It's a $60 part."

"Do you want a tune up?" Um, do I need one? Takes the oil dipstick out and looks at the brown oil. "Yup, look at that oil."

Fast forward to today. The estimate is $160, including the tune up. He said a new one like my mom's would cost around $400.

It'll be ready in a week or so.