B&S 550 EX stopped - won't restart

I’m with the team to drain bowl and tank.
Definitely possible to have a blockage, but after everything is drained a shot of starter fluid should get it to fire.

Have you checked the flywheel key?
 
Tiger Small Engine said:
Don’t throw any more parts at it (two ignition coils so far). You can buy a good used push mower for around $100 if all else fails…
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I don't want the mower to beat me - I need to know what the problem is or I will forever feel bad that I have failed! At least I was able to return one of the coils. But I do appreciate your suggestion.
 
andrewslarge said:
I’m with the team to drain bowl and tank.
Definitely possible to have a blockage, but after everything is drained a shot of starter fluid should get it to fire.

Have you checked the flywheel key?
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I have removed the big nut that fastens the flywheel and the flywheel key looks good. But I have not removed the flywheel.
I am planning to drain gas tank and float bowl and put in fresh gas and see what happens. The gas I used was very new but I suppose it could have been bad.
I did take the carb off and shot starter fluid directly into intake without success. But one contributor questioned the type of starter fluid I was using. The 2 times (out of many) that I did get it to fire, were with the carb off and the direct shot to the intake method. But it only worked twice out of many attempts.
 
There are three primary things you need: spark at the correct time, fuel, and compression.

I use the Walmart starter fluid.
I sometimes remove the spark plug, spray a shot in the hole, reinstall the spark plug, connect the spark plug wire and then try to start. 95 percent of the time the engine will fire. That proves I have enough compression and I have spark at the correct time.

Only two time for a fire? Concerning to me. Is it a coil/spark issue? Could it be the deadman or kill switch? Is it a safety switch?

Lots to work out.
To me, I’d focus on failure to spark and compression.
 
BobbyC777 said:
I have removed the big nut that fastens the flywheel and the flywheel key looks good. But I have not removed the flywheel.
I am planning to drain gas tank and float bowl and put in fresh gas and see what happens. The gas I used was very new but I suppose it could have been bad.
I did take the carb off and shot starter fluid directly into intake without success. But one contributor questioned the type of starter fluid I was using. The 2 times (out of many) that I did get it to fire, were with the carb off and the direct shot to the intake method. But it only worked twice out of many attempts.
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Carburetor cleaner is the best “starting fluid.” Better on the engine and if it doesn’t start after a 2 second burst, you have other problems than fuel related.
 
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