Lawn mower will not turnover

SASLawns · Sep 1, 2019

The past few starts of my lawn mower required a little starter fluid. However, now starter fluid won't even get the motor to pop. I have changed and gaped the spark plug, still no turning over.

I thought possibly bad gas, but I would think starter fluid would get it to pop at least once. I should probably clean the carb, as I have not done so in three seasons, but there as well, I would think the motor would kick over at least a couple times.

Any thoughts before I start replacing parts? Thanks.

My mower:
MTD 11A-02BT706
Briggs & Stratton 300E Series 125cc

Romore · Sep 1, 2019

So it is turning over but won't fire? Have you hit anything with the blade? Check it for damage, maybe the flywheel key is sheared.

bertsmobile1 · Sep 1, 2019

Start by checking that you actually have a spark
Follow that by checking the timing key is intact.
next trick is to check the valve lash
Followed by cleaning the carb , checking that the choke actually closes

SASLawns · Sep 2, 2019

Romore said:
So it is turning over but won't fire? Have you hit anything with the blade? Check it for damage, maybe the flywheel key is sheared.

Pardon for my use of the word 'turnover'. It's a manual pull and I can pull it, so it's turning, but not firing.

SASLawns · Sep 2, 2019

Thanks for the response...

bertsmobile1 said:
Start by checking that you actually have a spark

Assuming this is a simple remove of the spark plug and ground it, then check for spark on a turn.

bertsmobile1 said:
Follow that by checking the timing key is intact.

This is also the flywheel key? Where is this located? Am I checking to see if it's broke/cracked?

bertsmobile1 said:
next trick is to check the valve lash

If I notice the value is stuck open, once I un-stick it, would it be wise to clean and/or replace? I'm not a mechanical guy...is this type of operation pretty straight forward?

bertsmobile1 said:
Followed by cleaning the carb , checking that the choke actually closes

Other than cleaning, how may I check if the choke closes properly?

Scrubcadet10 · Sep 2, 2019

SASLawns said:
Thanks for the response...

Assuming this is a simple remove of the spark plug and ground it, then check for spark on a turn.

This is also the flywheel key? Where is this located? Am I checking to see if it's broke/cracked?

?

The fly wheel key is located under the pull rope, take every thing off until you get to the flywheel, take the nut off (if it's tough to get off, put a clean rope in the spark plug hole to jam the motor and you can remove the nut)
After you get the nut off you should see the flywheel key way, it should make a perfect square, even it's sheared a little bit, that can throw timing off.

SASLawns · Sep 2, 2019

Scrubcadet10 said:
The fly wheel key is located under the pull rope, take every thing off until you get to the flywheel, take the nut off (if it's tough to get off, put a clean rope in the spark plug hole to jam the motor and you can remove the nut)
After you get the nut off you should see the flywheel key way, it should make a perfect square, even it's sheared a little bit, that can throw timing off.

Thank you, I will check this out and report back.

Lawn mower will not turnover

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