Big mound of soft dirt - now engine won't start

[dragon831]

So my son and i were hauling it through a cane field when we suddenly ran over a huge mound of soft dirt. Dirt flew up from under the seats, it was everywhere. The engine immediately cut off. The air filter was covered with dirt so i took it off and tried starting the engine. Didnt work. After a few pulls, I get a loud bang so im sure the spark and fuel is there. Does the air filter have to be on in order for it to run? What other parts do i need to clean? I looked in the carb and it looks fine.

 

[buckeye]

You may have sheered your flywheel key.

 

[Russ2251]

Does the air filter have to be on in order for it to run?

No.

I get a loud bang so im sure the spark and fuel is there.

Plug may be fouled or perhaps not enough fuel.
As mentioned, sheared key is a real possibility.

Did "bang" emanate from carb or exhaust?

 

[dragon831]

the exhaust, after like every 6-7 pulls

 

[dragon831]

i dont understand what you guys are saying, the engine ddint completely stop as soon as i started going over the dirt. i went probably about 20 feet throwing up a crapload of dirt then it stopped. If it is the flywheel key, that's in the inside right?

 

[buckeye]

Well inside the shroud. Have you pulled your plug? Make sure you have spark. Then fuel. Carb may have sucked enough dirt that the jets are plugged.

 

[dragon831]

every 6-7 pulls it's like a loud backfire, would that mean that the spark is there?

 

[Russ2251]

would that mean that the spark is there?

Yes, but could be happening at the wrong time. 2 or 3 degrees can make all the difference.
Try a NEW properly gapped plug before doing anything.
Start with the simplest fixes first and then work your way up.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

Start with the simplest fixes first and then work your way up.

amen, wish i lived by this.

 

[buckeye]

Exactly. Make sure there is spark. Cheap first or free first. Basic investigation may reveal the issue.