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I have an older john deere stx 46 with a 14 hp Kohler engine. Last year my son was using the mower and it started leaking oil really badly. I pulled off the head and had it worked and a valve job done. I reassembled the motor but now I can't get it to start. I don't know how much compression that this engine should have. I spoke to a Kholer tech. last fall and he said that it was probably the valves were to tight. I loosened them and still no joy. Does anyone have a suggestion. thanks Ross

You have like 3 or 4 safety switches - you check them ?

I haven't yet it was running before I pulled the head off even if it was running poorly. Where are they located? Ross

the john deere has 2 or 3 saftey switches, before buying, there is a simple test to see if thats the problem.. first off ... run a test lead from the neg side of the battery to the top of the starter.. it should turn over.. next clean the ground lead on the harness, this is located on the neg side of the battery connected to the frame.. clean the bolt and surrounding area.. the replace back as it was taken off.. it should fire up and run.. if not then go to the key switch.. turn it on, listen for the click of the solenoid, if you hear that.. then take a ohms meter and see how much power thats coming from the postive cable to the one side of the solenoid, it should be 12.65, with the key off.. turn the key to start, check to cable from the other side of the solenoid to the end of the cable attached to the starter. it should have the same output.. if it is a saftey switch, it will be located below the solenoid, that inter-lock switch works when you press down on the brake/clutch.. those are most common in going out.. but run the test that i set out above, before spending any money.. make sure you postive, and neg are hooked up on your post on the solenoid.. that is all I can you, unless you call me,

I havent checked the saftey switches yet but I finally got the battery charged and tried to start it. It turns over but after turning over several times it backfires out of the exhaust and also out of the carb. I don't know if this could be a safety switch issue. thanks for the info so far I am going to check the safety switches now. Ross

Ross, it might one or two things, undo the sparkplug, sometimes compression will make the engine do what its doing.. check it see if the head of the sparkplug is wet, or foul looking.. if so replace it.. check to see if you are getting spark from the coil to the sparkplug.. if you are.. then its your carburator.. bad needle seat and need to be overhauled.. there are so many things that without seeing it.. its a step by step procedure

I overhauled the carb, it is not backfiring as much but it still wont start. I know it is getting fire and fuel. How should the valves and rocker arms be adjusted? I just snugged them up when I reassembled it last year I don't know if that can cause this. The carb was pretty bad but now I know it was not the only issue. Like you said it is a step by step process. thanks Ross I have read several threads talking about the flywheel key? That is how it is timed right? What would be the correct way to check and see if this was the issue?

i am not a pro but i think you need to use a feeler guage for those valves, 004 for intake 006 for exhaust. you have them to tight.