JD model 31p777 18.5 HP Intek ( Some white smoke puff out )

[duker]

I am trying to find out what to do for the next door lady. She said there was a puff of white smoke from under the hood,then the motor stopped..Starter will not turn over the motor, so far battery is good, Took out spark plug and sprayed WD-40 inside piston area. Let sit for 1 hour and I moved piston back about 2 inches and sprayed wd-40 again. Starter still will not move motor, It is going into flywheel, moves 1/8 of inch or so. Next I guess to remove and test starter. Then if good, then what. Thanks for all your input.
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[bertsmobile1]

check the entire crankcase for a crack or bulge
Could very well have been counter weight coming loose or a loose rod .
Remove the spark plug & rocker cover
turn over the engine by hand while watching the rockers
There should be almost no resistance till the rockers start to move & you are compressing the valve springs
Let us know what you find

 

[duker]

check the entire crankcase for a crack or bulge
Could very well have been counter weight coming loose or a loose rod .
Remove the spark plug & rocker cover
turn over the engine by hand while watching the rockers
There should be almost no resistance till the rockers start to move & you are compressing the valve springs
Let us know what you find

Ok, thanks will try on Thursday

 

[duker]

I checked the crankcase and no crack or bulge, I turned over the engine by hand forward and backwards, ( that's the only way it would move, It would stop and a certain point, it did sound like it hit inside when it stopped when going forward ). So I went backwards all the way around several times.. and the valves move just fine..starter turns over motor fast, too fast I think there's no compression. It will not start, its getting gas and spark, I think motor has damage, oil was below the low line a little.
Do you all think its worth to rebuild it or buy a new motor ? Thanks all.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Pull the flywheel off first.
You will have to do it anyway .
Check that there is not some thing loose like a bit of gravel or broken magnet stopping it from rotating.
Otherwise I would go with a replacement engine
Those Hondas at the Surplus Center are a steal at that price
They don't ship to Australia because if they did all 3 would be on their way to me right now