GVC 160 Model 917.376542 Now Will Not Start

[graybeard47]

This has been a one pull with the starting cord for years. It had some running issues about 8 months ago when a load was put on it. Tried the fast fix using some carb cleaner mixed with the gas. Since it was not helping much, the carburetor was pulled off, completely disassembled, submerging it well in CHEM-DIP solution, good blasts of air into all the passages, Etc. The single pull start was back and no load issues.

Today, any pull on the start cord would result in a couple of pops out of the exhaust. Pulled the spark plug and did a millisecond of stater fluid into the cylinder. Same couple of pops.
Has the cam shaft pulley belt broke? Or is this a much simpler fix in it being a bad spark plug or a bad coil.

Thank you

 

[ILENGINE]

2 rules 1. start with the simple stuff first. 2. never trust a spark plug

 

[graybeard47]

New spark plug installed: As before----"any pull on the start cord results in a couple of pops out of the exhaust."

 

[bertsmobile1]

Mechanical stuff is easy to check first like valve lash and checking for spark with the kill wire removed
While the rocker cover is off you can watch the valves to see if they both are even & move the same amount .

 

[JBtoro]

Agree with Bert; check the valve lash. Here is a video but there are many others on YouTube.