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I have a B&S 11.5 hp (model 217902-0015-G1) engine on my Snapper riding mower. During use, the engine just quit and will not restart (note: in the past it's always started on the first pull...never had a problem starting). Here's what I've done so far:

!- Refilled with fresh gas
2- Removed and cleaned the carburetor (although mower is 10 years old, the carburetor was replaced last summer)
3- Installed new fuel and air filters
4- Installed new spark plug and verified that the plug is sparking
5- Adjusted the valves to factory specs
6- Checked oil level
7- Tried using starting fluid

Still will not start. Any suggestions on what to do next would be appreciated.

ecarter312 said:

I have a B&S 11.5 hp (model 217902-0015-G1) engine on my Snapper riding mower. During use, the engine just quit and will not restart (note: in the past it's always started on the first pull...never had a problem starting). Here's what I've done so far:

!- Refilled with fresh gas
2- Removed and cleaned the carburetor (although mower is 10 years old, the carburetor was replaced last summer)
3- Installed new fuel and air filters
4- Installed new spark plug and verified that the plug is sparking
5- Adjusted the valves to factory specs
6- Checked oil level
7- Tried using starting fluid

Still will not start. Any suggestions on what to do next would be appreciated.

Click to expand...

Did you hit anything that could have partially sheared the key?

Nope....key is fine

ecarter312 said:

Nope....key is fine

Click to expand...

The answer...you have gone deaf and the mower is really running.

You have eliminated all the possibilities.
air, fuel, spark, timing, compression...so it must be running and you can't hear it.

I'm stumped...good luck.
Buy a new mower.

Most people spray way too much starter fluid into the carb when trying to start an engine, you only need a touch.
If the choke was closed and you sprayed it down the carb throat then it just evaporates.
So remove the plug and give the cylinder a SHORT shot of starter fluid and crank the engine NO CHOKE.
If it fires & burns off the starter fluid then do the same down the carb throat.

If it dosen't fire then either the
1) plug has fouled, run it in something else till it is too hot to hold and try again, BRAND NEW IN THE BOX PLUGS CAN FOUL FIRST CRANK.
2)the spark is happening at the wrong time
3) one of the valves is not fully closing
4) Head gasket is blown
5) rings are not sealing.

So there is the list.
If it fires with goo down the plug hole but not through the carb then you have a valve problem.

If it fires once, stops abruptly the kicks back the exhaust valve is not opening.