Craftsman T240 starting issue

Scrubcadet10

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The valves won’t help the engine turn over.
Actually they will.
When you try to start it with out jumping it, does the engine turn at all? or just very slowly, or quick then slow, quick then slow.
Just to rule out mower wiring issues, disconnect the mower battery, now get your jumper cables, hook them up to your mower battery, and the other end NEG - hook to a good ground such as a engine mount bolt/non painted surface, then touch your red lead end to the starter + lug.. Don't be alarmed there will be some sparks, but if it cranks normally doing it this way, you have a mower wiring issue. if not, probably a battery issue or engine issue.
 

Dcarter

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I did not start this so move on with your derogatory remarks.
 

Dcarter

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I was respectful till you entered. You are the one that’s not respectful. Enjoy your day. You did not even try to help. Pathetic
 

Elkins45

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Just to clarify: when you say it starts when you jump it are you connecting the jumper cables directly to the battery terminals? If you are and it starts then this means all the wiring from the battery to the starter is still functional. That makes me think the mower battery is bad, or the connections are corroded.

I removed the batteries from both my mowers and put them on a trickle charger in my garage while the mowers were stored in the barn. When I went to start mowing this year I carried both batteries down to the barn and connected them both. Neither would start. So back to the house I went to get a wire brush, and after a few swipes on the terminals and battery posts both fired right up.
 

Elkins45

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The valves won’t help the engine turn over.
Actually if the engine has a compression release it makes a huge difference. My B&S became harder and harder to crank over the years, up to the point I had to spin the flywheel before it would crank. When I adjusted the valves it cranked like it was new. If there’s enough slack in the lifters the compression release doesn’t open and the starter has to work much harder.
 

Dcarter

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Actually if the engine has a compression release it makes a huge difference. My B&S became harder and harder to crank over the years, up to the point I had to spin the flywheel before it would crank. When I adjusted the valves it cranked like it was new. If there’s enough slack in the lifters the compression release doesn’t open and the starter has to work much harder.
This started after a month. Jump straight to the batter. And is always on a charger. Its not a decompression issue.
 
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