Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

[v1_0]

The riding mower has sat for a while, covered, but inactive for a couple of years.

It will crank nicely when the spark plug has been removed. There is no oil 'hydrolock', etc. It seems to me that the starter cannot overcome the compression. I've replaced the starter, and hit the + terminal on it directly with a jumper cable from a car battery. (Other - jumper goes to the - wire that goes to the frame). The jumper cable 'sticks' to the + terminal on the starter so I'm pretty sure I'm getting enough current.

Is this a valve issue? What debugging steps should I take at this point?

Thanks,
-V

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

I believe that engine has the overhead valves. Check the compression and be sure the valves are working (nothing bent etc). Another problem they have is a leaking carb that will let the gasoline gravity feed and fill up the crank case. Check it for proper oil level and no gasoline. Next step if it still wont crank is to be sure the fly wheel hasnt sliped and thrown it out of time. Last thing is NEVER run it low on oil. It will overheat and seize and then its gone. Had this happin to my last 14.5...Briggs arent what they used to be.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

sorry for double post

 

[Mike722]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

Depending on how old the engine is it may have a compression release that is not working correctly. However, I good car battery and a new starter should have overcome any compression.

Is an old battery still hooked up in the mower? If so remove it completely and hook the car battery to the loose ends. Or replace with a new battery. After that make sure all the connections are tight. I like to loosen the bolts, wire brush the eyelets and retighten. You might also make sure the starter has a good ground.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

The statement that the jumper cable sticks tells me something is pulling way to many Amps. I take it the battery is dead thats why the jumper cables.
With the spark plug out it takes way less power to turn the engine.
I think if it were mine i would spend the 25 bucks and stick a new fully charged battery in then test from there.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

Pull the fly cover off and see if it turns over a couple of times easily with a socket or rope.....if does your electrical connections aren't good or not enough juice in your battery.....if doesn't time to explore

 

[v1_0]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

Based on the previous posts, this is what I have done:

(1) Changed the oil. That way there is the right amount, and no gas (there wasn't, it was stored without gas).

(2) Tried one of those car starter battery packs - hooked it to the -/+ wires, then used the jumper to go from + wire (of battery pack) to the starter's + terminal.

(3) Pulled the valve cover off, spun the engine (without sparkplug), the rockers moved up & down so I don't think a valve is stuck. Didn't check the clearances, though - need to look that up.

Still dosn't spin when the sparkplug is put in. Will spin nicely without the plug, but dosn't run so good that way..

Thanks,
-V

 

[v1_0]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

Another update: pulled the battery out of the boat, charged it up full, moved over to the lawnmower. Then I ran a jumper cable from the battery directly to the starter - one to the body of the starter (-) and one to the positive terminal.

No joy. The starter will turn the engine up to a point, then it stops (with the spark plug in). I can manually spin the flywheel past that point - but it is very hard & goes slow. Once past that point, if I engage the starter it will spin it around back to that point.

I also did a compression test - it gets up to at least 140, but I assume it would go a bit higher if the engine would turn all the way.

-V

 

[Mike722]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

I am still not sure if you have the old dead battery hooked up or not? A bad battery in the tractor will take all the juice of jumper packs and/or jumper cables leaving the starter low on power.

I agree with Gary at this point get a new battery and hook to up correctly, without any jumpers to the starter.

 

[IWELD]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

I don't have a fix for you but my old 2004 craftsman does the exact same thing. I usually get it to turn and start if I give it full choke, dunno why though.

Good luck...

 

[v1_0]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

Just got back from some monkeying: Got 'er.

Did some research in other places on the www. There's a compression release 'nub' on the cam. If the valves aren't adjusted just so... won't work. Too much compression for the starter to overcome - new starter, new car battery, wires directly from battery to starter not withstanding.

So, I adjusted the valves. Spun right around nice. Put in a little gas, couple of spins - started right up.

Woo! Another toy to play with.

-V

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 14.5hp won't crank.

Glad you got it runnin............I told you from the start what to do,did I not? WHOS THE MAN?...............I is