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blindmanbruce

B&S OHV 17hp hard to crank will not start.

blindmanbruce
12 years ago

Murray Tractor - garage kept(about 7 years old). The only issues I've had until now were replacing the battery 5 years ago and the solenoid last year.

This year it won't start at all.

Symptoms: Turn the key (I hear the solenoid click) starter no go. Sometimes I hear a high pitched whine. Every once in a while I get one rotation only.

Suspected battery was bad (5 years old) bought a new one. No luck.

Used voltmeter, have 12.49 vdc at starter but engine not turning over (except one rotation every now and then). Noted gas dripping from exhaust pipe. Read about a problem where stuck float filled crankcase with gas and caused engine not to start. Checked carb... bowl solenoid is working(I can hear it click)... tapped on bowl to free a possible stuck needle. Opened oil plug... crankcase full of gas. Drained it all out (including oil filter) put new oil in.

Tried to start... no go. (On the plus side, no gas leak from exhaust this time).

I was thinking it could be the starter... but after reading posts about valve adjustments and exhaust valve malfunctions I am not sure what it could be.

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