I pull the exhaust off, have a look and work out if the motor needs to be opened up. If it looks ok its generally OK. When you do start it, if its smokey then it might need rings.
With the 4 strokes, i take the head off and have a look, check the valve clearances. Doesnt matter what you do, you cant fix a motor with a stuffed bore by pulling the carb apart and cleaning it out. Its better to just dive right in. If its super new i might take a punt.


Did that mower need rings???
I highly doubt it needs a piston.
Ive never seen a powertorque fail for any other reason but lack of oil. I have seen one or two that have worn the rings out.



That would be a frame i would fit a rebuilt motor too, then i would ask $250-275 for it with a 12 month warranty.
The price i said about would have been just if i had serviced/repaired to get it going again.


Its entirely up to you, but i think you might be doing way too much and asking too little. Can i buy it and resell it?? lol.

Case in point.
$125 mowers, the one on the left
[Linked Image]
Is the same as this one that i had $160 on.
[Linked Image]


I sold the $125 one first. It had surface rust all over it.
As long as it goes, And its got a warranty.
It actually took a while to sell the better one. I had a few people come and look at it but they would put thier hand a bit further into their pocket and buy a better one.

Have this one here now [Linked Image]
Put $150 on it.


Not trying to tell you what or how to do anything.
Just sharing where it is from my stand point.