Smallenginesidiot
Forum Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2018
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 3
Hey all, I’m new here and am having a lot of trouble with a mower (17.5hp 42 in deck yard machine MTD) I just picked up. Long story short, it worked when I bought it (when he jumped the battery), we put it in my truck with a forklift, I unloaded it at home, replaced the battery with the standard mower battery found by the mowers in Home Depot, it didn’t start, tried jumping the battery, didn’t start. When I turn the key the engine turns maybe once per second, consistently, failing. Mower in neutral, blades disengaged, seat safety wires disconnected and he showed me the mower starts like that in front of my own eyes. I haven’t messed with the older gas or oil to drain and replace or anything.
This has been my first run in with trying to diagnose an engine, and it’s been a pretty ignorant and in the dark process haha. Things I have done: I saw the wiring from the battery to the engine etc. was pretty old and jacked up, so thinking that was the problem I ran current straight to the starter (I believe) with a battery jumper and turned it on- same thing happened as when I turn the key. Next I talk to my neighbor, get a spark plug tester from him. It lights up in sync with every failed turn of the engine, so the spark plug is good, correct? I poured a tiny bit of gas down the air intake because I read if it starts temporarily it means “yada yada” is the problem, it didn’t start which is why I’ve forgotten what that’d indicate (spark plug?).
I have a multimeter and most basic tools, I’d really like to fix this problem myself I just need a good talk down and pointing in the right directions. I can upload pictures as well if that would be helpful!
I should mention, it’s completely missing an air filter, I obiviously intend on replacing before I go out running the mower, but i didn’t think it’d be preventing it from starting, right?
Sorry for any ignorance and million thanks to anyone who might have a moment to share some advice. Appreciate it
Fin
This has been my first run in with trying to diagnose an engine, and it’s been a pretty ignorant and in the dark process haha. Things I have done: I saw the wiring from the battery to the engine etc. was pretty old and jacked up, so thinking that was the problem I ran current straight to the starter (I believe) with a battery jumper and turned it on- same thing happened as when I turn the key. Next I talk to my neighbor, get a spark plug tester from him. It lights up in sync with every failed turn of the engine, so the spark plug is good, correct? I poured a tiny bit of gas down the air intake because I read if it starts temporarily it means “yada yada” is the problem, it didn’t start which is why I’ve forgotten what that’d indicate (spark plug?).
I have a multimeter and most basic tools, I’d really like to fix this problem myself I just need a good talk down and pointing in the right directions. I can upload pictures as well if that would be helpful!
I should mention, it’s completely missing an air filter, I obiviously intend on replacing before I go out running the mower, but i didn’t think it’d be preventing it from starting, right?
Sorry for any ignorance and million thanks to anyone who might have a moment to share some advice. Appreciate it
Fin