Small Engine Repair

[godsend1]

So my craftsman mower won't start. It has a B&S 16hp engine. So far I have replaced the battery, starter, solenoid. The same issue remains.

When trying to start , the starter engages but the engine only does a partial turn then stops, it is still trying to turn over but won't . I have by-passed the solenoid and switch and get the same condition. When I pull the spark plug, it turns over like crazy.

My next idea is to connect 2 batteries and try to get it to turn over.

Any ideas? :bang head:

 

[RazoR333]

Turns over good with out the plug ,....but won't with the plug in place ....?

 

[Storloc]

Not familier with that engine but I wonder if the valve timing jumped somehow?

 

[RazoR333]

Start off with the easy stuff ,..check all the grounds.
Is your blade engaged? (Starting under load)
Is the battery fully charged? do you have a charger/ starter? May have the volts ,but not the amp's.

 

[godsend1]

Turns over good with out the plug ,....but won't with the plug in place ....?

Ya, when the plug is in it will get about a 1/4 turn and stop.


This has been a gradual progression, where it started turning over slower and slower as time went on .

I'll be checking the belts and transaxle to make sure there is no drag later tonight.

Ya, the battery is fully charged ,

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[dannymax]

Could the starter be dying?

 

[lankeeyankee]

So my craftsman mower won't start. It has a B&S 16hp engine. So far I have replaced the battery, starter, solenoid. The same issue remains.

When trying to start , the starter engages but the engine only does a partial turn then stops, it is still trying to turn over but won't . I have by-passed the solenoid and switch and get the same condition. When I pull the spark plug, it turns over like crazy.

My next idea is to connect 2 batteries and try to get it to turn over.

Any ideas? :bang head:

hydro lock sounds like...

remove the spark plug and crank it over and see if ya have any fluid spraying out.. if not then ya have either something in the cylinder or stretched rod where the piston is hitting the plug,, look in the cylin is there a ding in the top of the piston... I am betting hyro lock try and get it to where the hole is facing towards the ground and crank it over with NO plug

 

[lankeeyankee]

"My next idea is to connect 2 batteries and try to get it to turn over"

If 2 doesnt work are ya going to try 3? Maybe get ya some diesel truck batteries? Hell why your at it just hook 330VAC to it I bet ya get something cranking...


Why would you feel you need two batteries to crank this.. It was designed to crank with one battery. You have a problem and its not cause you onlyt have one battery... THINK! Troubleshoot dont induce new problems such as burnt wires.

 

[lankeeyankee]

Not familier with that engine but I wonder if the valve timing jumped somehow?

removing the spark plug wouldnt change any clearance issues with the valve train.

 

[naughtyG]

So my craftsman mower won't start. It has a B&S 16hp engine.

Is that a Bull & **** motor? :rofl_200::rofl_200:

 

[KJShover]

I'm thinking hydro-lock, Check your spark plug, is it wet?

 

[clintard]

You need a valve adjustment.

The auto compression release has a thingy on the cam that at slow cranking speeds sticks out just a tad & slightly bumps open the exhaust valve just before TDC to relieve compression. If clearance is too wide, it won't be able to open the valve. If it still cranked ok when hot then the clearance was "just barely" too wide , but when valve & tappet warmed up & got just a "tiny bit" larger (heat expanded), then it allowed it to open the valve a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGkn0jR9RJM

 

[Hatter]

I agree with Danny, I think its a weak starter. My 24hp Kohler did the same thing last year, and I finally got a new starter to fix it.

 

[clintard]

The guy said he replaced the starter, solenoid, and battery already and still has the problem. When the exhaust valves stops opening via the compression release, because its out of adjustment, there is too much compression. I think harleys have compression releases for the same reason. You will fry that puppy trying to give it more amps to compensate.

 

[Hatter]

Check the voltage on the starter, if nothing else for ***** and giggles.

 

[Firewrench]

+1 for Clintard. Compression release probably not working correctly. Time for a valve adjustment.

 

[lankeeyankee]

I think it just needs Seafoam and the V-Boost adjusted, while your at it drill some holes in the exhaust:rofl_200:

 

[lankeeyankee]

I think it just needs Seafoam and the V-Boost adjusted, while your at it drill some holes in the exhaust:rofl_200:

Mark said to adjust the float in the carb

 

[godsend1]

Mark said to adjust the float in the carb

I was just gonna check the float to.

I'll go with Clintard, it seems to load up right at compression.

 

[godsend1]

You need a valve adjustment.

The auto compression release has a thingy on the cam that at slow cranking speeds sticks out just a tad & slightly bumps open the exhaust valve just before TDC to relieve compression. If clearance is too wide, it won't be able to open the valve. If it still cranked ok when hot then the clearance was "just barely" too wide , but when valve & tappet warmed up & got just a "tiny bit" larger (heat expanded), then it allowed it to open the valve a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGkn0jR9RJM

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