Briggs 17.5HP underwater/need help starting

[slydog39]

My neighbrhood had a quick flash flood yesterday. My yard had 3 feet of waer in it in spots. Of course, my Craftsman Lt1000 mower was in the yard and was nearly completely submerged for 15 to 30 minutes.
I have changed the oil, oil filter, fuel, fuel filter, and air filter. I have used some small engine "tune-up" spray (that is sparyed into the spark plug opening to remove mositure and buildups) . I cleaned the plug, but did not replace it.

The mower will turn over quickly. I have checked for spark using a spark tester, and do ha:thumbdown:ve spark. It will not fire off and run. I have tried using quick starting fluid, but it still will not fire off---just spins and spins.

What else should I do to get this engne running? I cannot afford to send it to the shop for "pro" repair.

 

[Rivets]

Rings might be stuck, no compression. Try this trick, spray a rust buster (PB Buster, Yield, Kato, etc.) in the cylinder. Use a lot, and then spin the engine over with no plug to loosen the rings. Then replace the plug and see what happens. Have another tip, but have to go, will check back later today.

 

[slydog39]

I determined that there is still a lot of water in the engine. I am attempting to flush it alll out by competely draining the oil, adding another quart, or so, spinning the engine for a few revolutions and then draining it all out again. I will do this until I think I got most of it out. Is there a better method?

I took off the carburetor and cleaned it out using carb cleaner inside and out.

 

[Rivets]

You should only have to do it twice. If it does not start squirt some motor oil in the cylinder to raise the compression and try it. When you get it running warm it up good and then change the oil one more time to make sure you get all the water out.

 

[EngineMan]

Did you say you had or didn't have a spark. if you didn't have one it maybe that coil/electric's etc had water it them.
Take off the lid and use WD40 on in and around all coil/electric's and leave for half an hour or so to give it time to remove mositure.

 

[slydog39]

Thanks for your help. I got it running finally. Took lots of oil flushing, carb cleaning, and spinning the motor without the spark plug to get mot of the water out. I will run it some tomorrow and then change the oil once more.

More transmission (regular gear--not a hydro) is very hard shifting. I probably need to service it as well. What are the procedures for getting the water out and re lubricating it?

 

[Rivets]

That's going to be a little more difficult. If you can get though the summer, I would use it as is and then rebuild when the unit can be laid up. If not I will see if I can find a manual for it on line. Can you post the model numbers of the tractor?

 

[slydog39]

I will post in the morning. Thanks fo rthe efforts.