[john70t]

It's been a nightmare. Had this 2200psi Troy-Bilt w/Briggs&Stratton for two years, and put it to good use last summer. Wanted to change the gear fluid and oil before using it.
It ran ok from the start but it was no ferrari...I mean porsche.

Stripped out the gear fluid allen-headed gear drain plug(soft plastic), but got it back in there. Used new pump fluid recommended from a dealership store. Only stuff they use.

There's no oil drain plug. The shop said to tip the thing upside down(carb side up). Gas tank was empty then. Did that. Refilled with Valvoline 10W-30(manual specs), and checked the oil level about ten times. It was at "full" on the dipstick.

Started it up, and it ran like crap for about 5 minutes until it sputtered and stopped. Smoke was puffing from the exhaust when dropping to idle. Rope cord/engine was seized. Sniffed the oil fill tube and it smelled like burnt transmission fluid.
Called Troy-Bilt and they said those were classic signs of overfilling the engine oil.
Checked oil level again and it was again at "full" on dipstick mark. Pulled the plug and it was dry.
After the engine cooled, I could get the motor to barely turn, but it would stick in one place.

An ideas? Left over grit? Bad oil?