need help please, mtd riding mower will attempt to crank but no start

[lalord69]

i have a mtd riding mower with a 13.5hp tecumseh, i cannot get it to turn over, it cracks or half cranks but it will not turn over.

i replaced the battery with a brand new one and nothing.

i checked and clean all grounds and connections and nothing

i changed the spark plug and nothing

i changed the oil? and nothing

i checked my key switch and it all seems operational

i attempted and i think i did it right, adjusted the valves like the service manual calls and nothing. i did find some oil inside, dont know how much is normal..

i check the solenoid and its good

after about 50 times and about 2 weeks it crank once and it run like a charm, no problems but cannt get it to start again... its like the starter does not have enough juice? but i check my battery and even try to started while jumping it and it does not make a difference...

here is a quick vid i made on what its doing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WFw_2szKVk


any help is welcome, i am lost...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Vid's not working.

Aside from the one time it started, have you actually VERIFIED that it has a good, strong spark?

 

[lalord69]

yes, spark is good.. and i even tried my old spark plug and nothing... its like it has too much compression and the started cannot make it turn...if that is even possible..

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Okay- just got to see video- dunno why it wasn't working for me.

There is still a good possibility that valve lash is not correctly adjusted. Starter could be weak, too.

 

[Maine Mud Mower]

Well first of all That is not turning over any where near the right speed.

Ok first of all remove the spark plug and crank it over and see if its faster.
Secound same thing only this time have some one hold the sparkplag against the block and see if it sparks.

Now if it turns over faster and no spark you have bad safty switch or bad coil or bad coil feed wire

If it still turns slow but you have spark your battery or celinoid is bad. Put your spark plug back in and try this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiIocch0nH0.

If it still will not fire right try video plus starter fluid in carb
If then it runs you are not getting gas

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Another possibility I have seen-

Check your oil level, and smell it. If it's too full and smells like gas, your float valve is leaking, causing flooding and a partial hydrolock. Another indicator of this is if you pull the spark plug out and crank it over- and fuel shoots out the hole. You may be able to see a fuel mist, but not a spray!

 

[lalord69]

i didnt get a chance to try the spark plug tips mention yet but i will as soon as i get home, but i did smell the oil and it does have a smell of gas.. what does that mean? this the valve under the carburator correct? will this cause the engine have a hard time turning? like the video

 

[lalord69]

i try the spark plug and when its removed, engine spins freely, it does not crank though.

the park has a good spark also...

any ideas? i attempted to jump it like the vid and the engine does the same thing.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

any ideas?

Yep! Follow up on all the suggestions we've made so far, and report results.

 

[lalord69]

i replace the solenoid just to make sure and its the same thing.. i charged the battery and its a no go.

Well first of all That is not turning over any where near the right speed.

Ok first of all remove the spark plug and crank it over and see if its faster.
Secound same thing only this time have some one hold the sparkplag against the block and see if it sparks.

Now if it turns over faster and no spark you have bad safty switch or bad coil or bad coil feed wire

If it still turns slow but you have spark your battery or celinoid is bad. Put your spark plug back in and try this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiIocch0nH0.

If it still will not fire right try video plus starter fluid in carb
If then it runs you are not getting gas

 

[lalord69]

i removed my float and everything seems fine and even cleaned it and nothing.

Another possibility I have seen-

Check your oil level, and smell it. If it's too full and smells like gas, your float valve is leaking, causing flooding and a partial hydrolock. Another indicator of this is if you pull the spark plug out and crank it over- and fuel shoots out the hole. You may be able to see a fuel mist, but not a spray!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

How about the starter itself?
Did you have a good look at the oil, checking for an overfull/gas contaminated condition?
Also- Make abundantly sure that the battery, chassis, and engine ground connections are clean, sound, and tight.
It wouldn't hurt to re-check valve lash again. A bit too loose, and the compression relief will not work, making starting harder. Heck- for that matter, you could have a problem with the compression relief mechanism.

 

[lalord69]

i reseted the valve lash for the 4th time and that did it... thank you all for the input and help

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Glad you got it sorted. Perhaps when you set the lash (the first 3 times?) you weren't exactly at TDC on the compression stroke. Either way- Good stuff! Now, onward!