My 18 year old Scotts with the B&S motor didn't want to turn over. Clunk, clunk is all that was heard. Thinking charge battery, which I did but still clunk, clunk. A few attempts to turn and then clunk, clunk. I see whiffs of smoke coming from around the positive terminal on the starter. Ouch --- that starter is hot.
I removed the starter and applied 12 volts. Bendix gear whirls around. Re-install but the same thing.
I am thinking that the starter is tired, it has enough muscle to spin the small gear but not enough to spin the flywheel. A new starter and bendix is about $90.
A tired starter is my thought --- am I on the right rabbit trail?