16.5 HP OHV - thought I had a compression problem

[IndyDude]

Not at all. Other reasons.

OK, I see what you did...you secretly agreed with my analysis of the starter being bad, so you saw no need for additional input.:tongue:

On Tuesday, I ordered the new starter off of eBay for $35, shipped. I ensured the one I got had the brass gear instead of the cheap plastic one some offer.
When I came home from work this evening, it was waiting for me in the mailbox.

I put that puppy on, reinstalled the battery and I was amazed at how fast the engine rotated. :smile:

I had never seen it cycle so fast. So, it does most certainly appear that some of the coils were bad.

At least now I have a spare that has a good set of brushes.

Problem solved! :thumbsup:

Thanks to those that gave their input.

 

[romotor]

Try .003 - .004 on the Intake, and .005 -.006 on the Exhaust.
(Watch Donnyboy73 on youtube - this subject).
Hundreds of starters are replaced needlessly.
Romotor in Memphis

 

[upnorth]

you initially stated that some insulation had melted off the winding(s).
this should have been an indication of what was bad. As long as there is no short between the field coils and ground, the starter will spin, however if the windings were shorted to ground, there would be an excess current flowing which would melt more insulation and heat up to failure of the starter.