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Hi everyone,

New to the board here. I have a 2011-ish Dixon SpeedZTR30 with a Briggs 31000 series vertical. I recently did some routine maintenance on it. Changed oil, greased all points, changed the in-line fuel filter. After doing these simple items, the engine will not fire off.

The following has been done:
1. Checked plug for spark - good.
2. Checked plug for wetness - wet only after hitting with starter fluid (still nothing - not even a sign of about to fire off)
3. Carb bowl drained a couple of times to confirm fuel making it - good.
4. All fuel lines receiving fuel - pull each after a few crank attempts.
5. Fuel filter removed and straight line installed - good.
6. Yes, fuel is in the tank.
7. It ran like a champ before pulling it in garage to service.
8. Now, not firing off. Everything is working it seems, just not starting up.

Result - no startup. I have a Briggs and also a Dixon manual...not sure what else to do after thumbing through. I spoke to a Briggs rep to no avail.

Any assistance would be great from you pros.

Has it got a low oil pressure cutoff? If it does, unplug it and see what happens.

I am not entirely sure what that is or where it may be located. The engine will spin and respond to the ignition, just not turning over completely to fire off the motor.

Here's a QUICKIE list, to check things over, you can of course eliminate the most obvious ... keep us posted.

.... click to enlarge

This is a nice list. All good on it. Again, everything was perfect before I put a wrench to it as stated. I will try a new spark plug it seems. I replaced it last year and again it has worked like a champ up to when I started working on it.

ZTR30 said:

I am not entirely sure what that is or where it may be located. The engine will spin and respond to the ignition, just not turning over completely to fire off the motor.

Click to expand...

Please explain ?
Are you saying that the starter turns the engine then stops.
If this is the case then the decompressor is not working and the usual suspect is excessive valve lash.
Did you adjust them when you did the service ?
if not you are only doing 1/2 the job.
Need to be done every 2 to 4 seasons.

I would follow (Bertsmobile1) advice, try a valve adjust procedure, IT won't hurt anything if done properly...here's a service manual, see section 1 ...page 21 READ CAREFULLY !

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6NaqjIxWV1ybEN0LWo3azl6OUU/edit

Thanks for asking. I did check/adjust the valves also, but the starter will turn and continue as usual with no hesitations or stopping.

Could a slightly off adjustment that spins the engine normally cause a cycling/vacuum issue getting fuel to the combustion chamber properly? It cycles fine as it did before even now though not firing off.

If you haven't already tried it, squirt some fuel in the carb or down the plug hole, see if it fires, you have fuel, you have fire, timing is next, although there would be no explanation for sheared flywheel key .. ?? checked that ??

The carb is getting fuel. I have emptied lines to check as well as removed the solenoid to confirm full bowl - solenoid functions fine with key turn.

I have this same exact series engine, I can't figure out your issue, the only thing I would do at this point is disconnect the engine harness from the mower harness, use jumper cables... positive right on to the STARTER terminal, negative cable to engine body or CLEAN spot of mower frame and Neg on Batt. squirt some fuel into the plug hole (solenoid NOT op. with harness disconnected, throttle lever wide-open) and connect POS cable to Batt. term , SHOULD rotate and fire at least a few seconds ... this isolates the the engine from the mower, (HOT-WIRE in essence) IF this doesn't work ....... you have a new "boat-anchor" !

Thanks for the suggestions. Power is good, spin off is good, starter good, fuel is good, just not sure if it is making it past the carb. The spark plug comes out wet only after spraying wth starter fluid. The carb is getting fuel, just not entirely sure it is sending to the combustion chamber...it spins and makes all the right noises, just not starting to be able to drive off.

Engine needs 3 things to run,

FUEL : you are using start fluid or gas in the cylinder ...... correct ..??

FIRE : you have spark ...... strong bluish yellow , new correctly gapped plug ..??

TIMING : have you removed the shroud and checked the flywheel keyway ..??


engine does spin freely with no hesitation .... correct ..??

no popping, belching, or attempt to fire ... correct ..??

have you tried the "hot-wire" procedure ..??

have you checked the EXHAUST port for a restriction ..??

finally I would pull off the valve cover, rotate the flywheel BY HAND and watch for proper closing of BOTH valves on the compression stroke when flywheel magnet is at or very close to the coil.

lwalper said:

Has it got a low oil pressure cutoff? If it does, unplug it and see what happens.

Click to expand...

No those do not have that feature..........

ZTR 30......... Squirt some gas in the carb and give it a whirl 1 more time...........

Something went wrong when you did your routine tune up. The plug could have went south on you all of a sudden..... Are you near my area in Louisiana ???

I have a shop here in Eunice..... Helped a few people in my area on this forum..........

Let us know Mon Ami ~!~!

ZTR ..... that's a helluva of a great offer from Bo in Eunice, IF you are still having the issue, I'm sure Bo won't quit till he get's that eng. to sing like a canary ! It would be well worth the trip ! You guy's might even enjoy some of that MMMMmmm- GOOOOOD cajun delicacy together !! .. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the input. I will give it a shot in a bit. When you say to squirt fuel in the carb, where are you all referencing on the carb to actually insert the fuel? I will pick up a new plug (planned to today) and check the valve clearance once more (likely not an issue being I have spin).

Boudreaux - I am in Gonzales. Thank you for that offer. We may be able to talk soon pending.

ZTR30 said:

Thanks for the input. I will give it a shot in a bit. When you say to squirt fuel in the carb, where are you all referencing on the carb to actually insert the fuel? I will pick up a new plug (planned to today) and check the valve clearance once more (likely not an issue being I have spin).

Boudreaux - I am in Gonzales. Thank you for that offer. We may be able to talk soon pending.

Click to expand...

Remove the air-filter assy., and drop about a 1/2 -3/4 of a TEAspoon worth into the intake manifold .. THROTTLE being in wide open position, if you get it to fire at all try again with 1 spoonful, lets see what you get..........

-double checked valve adjustments and adjusted again
-replaced spark plug, checked spark against block, good
-removed intake, fed about a teaspoon or so, no change
-while adjusting valves, I remembered the intake valve (left lower side with spring) did not move when spinning wheel by hand
-removed rocker cover, removed intake rocker, valve did not move. Upon removing retainer ring, valve pressed in normally
-pulsed the valve a few times to ensure function, reassembled...and nothing new.
-photo points to rod which when rotating wheel does not push the valve at all. Even loose now, nothing moves in or out. How to resolve?

Any ideas relating to the intake valve? Perhaps this is keeping from pulling in fuel.

UPDATE: the rod I am pointing to - I opened it up again, removed rocker, and moved the rod around lightly and at one point, noticed it slipped into a different position. I did pull the rod earlier on and must not have put it back in the proper slot. Waiting for battery to charge again to give it a shot after making this adjustment.

Put in back in making sure you in tappet. Set valves to spec. Turn flywheel by hand and inspect while turning. also would inspect flywheel key making sure it hasn't sheared out.

Thanks - both valves and rods are moving now and to spec. Will try again when battery is hot.

Yearly maintenance + incorrect assembly of valve system = closed intake valve/no start

Running as usual. As I expected no less, you all were super helpful. Thanks for being patient with my multiple posts as well sharing information I certainly will know for the future.

Until next time,
Gary

The white smoke might have been from a backfire causing it to bend or throw the out sometimes the rocker arm
Bolts back causing to get loose to where the rods have no chance to operate like they should. Keep us posted

Glad you got it going....... I been to Gonzales many times when I lived in Grosse Tete La.