swinginscott
Forum Newbie
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2011
- Threads
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- 5
Hello all, I've spent a _lot_ of time searching through this forum post by post, and while I never found my particular problem I'm sure it's in here somewhere. Problem is I can't find it. I am extremely novice at engine repair, so your patience is appreciated.
Here's the problem, I bought a riding mower (Craftsman Dyt4000) that wasn't starting. After some troubleshooting, I narrowed it down to either the starter, or the valves being out of adjustment. So after talking to a local repair man, and watching some youtube videos, I attempted to adjust the valves. I also replaced the starter (an aftermarket one from DB electrical) and voila! The mower started.
So I bring it home after this success, and was mowing for about 45 minutes without issues. Then someone else started mowing, and I started with the weed wacker. They said they shut down the mower with the key, put on the parking brake, and when they tried to start it again it wouldn't.
I tried manually turning the engine by placing my palm on the top and spinning it, and it's STUCK with a capital S. I disconnected and removed the spark plug, but still can't turn it, at all. Not even 1/1000th of an inch. Before I adjusted the valves this would happen on a certain stroke of the engine and not go anymore, only with the spark plug out it would spin freely.
Before all of this I did check the oil and air filter, and this is a brand new spark plug as well.
I assume that this engine not turning all of the sudden is some sort of compression problem, but I'm not sure if there's a way to manually release the compression. I assume that of the two valves one is intake, and one is exhaust so if I can somehow manually open the valve let me know.
I'm just stuck as to where and how to start troubleshooting this particular problem.
Here is the mower information:
Craftsman Dyt 4000, model 917 274632
Engine: Briggs and Stratton 18.5hp model 31P777, Type 0348E1, Code 0409022E
The starter I just put in was part 693551.
Here's the problem, I bought a riding mower (Craftsman Dyt4000) that wasn't starting. After some troubleshooting, I narrowed it down to either the starter, or the valves being out of adjustment. So after talking to a local repair man, and watching some youtube videos, I attempted to adjust the valves. I also replaced the starter (an aftermarket one from DB electrical) and voila! The mower started.
So I bring it home after this success, and was mowing for about 45 minutes without issues. Then someone else started mowing, and I started with the weed wacker. They said they shut down the mower with the key, put on the parking brake, and when they tried to start it again it wouldn't.
I tried manually turning the engine by placing my palm on the top and spinning it, and it's STUCK with a capital S. I disconnected and removed the spark plug, but still can't turn it, at all. Not even 1/1000th of an inch. Before I adjusted the valves this would happen on a certain stroke of the engine and not go anymore, only with the spark plug out it would spin freely.
Before all of this I did check the oil and air filter, and this is a brand new spark plug as well.
I assume that this engine not turning all of the sudden is some sort of compression problem, but I'm not sure if there's a way to manually release the compression. I assume that of the two valves one is intake, and one is exhaust so if I can somehow manually open the valve let me know.
I'm just stuck as to where and how to start troubleshooting this particular problem.
Here is the mower information:
Craftsman Dyt 4000, model 917 274632
Engine: Briggs and Stratton 18.5hp model 31P777, Type 0348E1, Code 0409022E
The starter I just put in was part 693551.