B&S hard to start when cold.

[brokersteve]

Hello all. I have a Swisher ZT1436 Zero turn. It's old, but I've kept it up pretty well. Has ALWAYS started with full choke right away, then I take choke off immediately, and she runs like a champ. A few weeks ago, I ran the back in to a good size hole, and she started smoking badly, burned the blade belt up badly. I guess the blade was jammed against the wall of the hole. Anyways, I changed the belt, and since then, the mower has been giving a LOT of trouble. First, it just died mid mow and would not start. Newer battery and starter solenoid. Figured it was maybe a safety switch, but after messing around, got it started, but ran very rough. Took to my shop, and went through everything. New plug, oil, filter, air filters. Thought maybe stale gas, so cleaned out tank, replaced fuel filter and all fuel lines. Cleaned carb, and choke, etc. was working properly. Now, it falls flat as soon as I start. While it is dying, I can turn the key to kick it back on for a few seconds, then starts to die again until I bump the key again. This continues until the engine is warm enough, then it will start and runs great once warm. No stalls, no smoke, nothing. I can turn it off and it fires right back up. Sounds like a choke issue, but I verified the choke plate is closing off when engaged. I can't figure this out and it is very frustrating. Today while on the side of a small hill, it puffed a large plume of white smoke, and smelled like a belt. I disengaged blades, and it ran fine Engaged blades again with no problems. I'm thinking when I was in the hole that maybe the transaxle belt burned up partially. Would this belt have anything to do with the hard starts? It's too hot right now to check out the belt, but I did order a new one. I wouldn't think this was my issue though. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[mechanic mark]

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/manuals/engine enter your model & type numbers then click on operators manual & see valve specs. & adjust valves, engine cold, valves should be checked every 250 hrs. I would also inspect drive belt as you suggested as well as pulleys for drive belt. If valves are too loose, compression release on camshaft will not be able to operate properly.

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/manuals/results?NTT=31e577-1596*

 

[Tinkerer200]

A belt is not going to cause the symptoms you describe. Might help if you posted the engine make and model.

Walt Conner

 

[brokersteve]

A belt is not going to cause the symptoms you describe. Might help if you posted the engine make and model.

Walt Conner

I believe it is a B&S Intek OHV 14.5 hp 31E577-1596

 

[brokersteve]

https://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/manuals/engine enter your model & type numbers then click on operators manual & see valve specs. & adjust valves, engine cold, valves should be checked every 250 hrs. I would also inspect drive belt as you suggested as well as pulleys for drive belt. If valves are too loose, compression release on camshaft will not be able to operate properly.

Thanks. I do have a copy of the manual. I had given thought to valve clearance, but it just seemed strange that this happened so suddenly. Running perfect to barely running. I guess the jolt from falling in the hold could have disrupted things. I will check when I get a chance. Hopefully that's the problem.

 

[Rivets]

This may sound stupid, but check the ground cable connectio, where it attaches to the chassis. Make sure it is clean and tight. You may have a cold short, where you are not making good contact until the resistance heats up the connection and you get a good ground. May have been jarred loose when you hit the hole.