Kaw FH641v in a 2008 Toro z400 - Hard to start

[Buymymower]

Bought this used about 5 years ago, steadily getting harder to start.

Mower spins slowly but does not fire. Replaced battery, same symptoms.

Has spark, has gas, no air issues

Have a large charger, now have to use 12v boost, which spins the engine 3 times faster than just battery alone.

Will start with the booster

Once started, no issues, could hit 12" weeds and no bogging.

Want to fix the hard start, as I don't want to use the charger and burn up the starter

Spoke to a friend that works on small engines, suggested to check valves

Did so on Sunday, Left side was .007 and .008.

Supposed to be .004-.006

Set both to .005

Right side was .010 and .011
Set both to .005

Did not fix my starting problem, Maybe starts a little faster on boost

Ran the mower through moderately tall grass, and now it bogs down, have to slow to a crawl.

Pulled it back in, checked all 4 valves , seems to be at .005.
Went back out, now I seem to have a slight Popping noise (sounds like a go cart) without blades engaged

With blades on, still bogs

Pulled back to the garage, let sit at idle for 2 min, and it slowly went slower until it shut off, never did that before.

Let it sit for 2 hours, then used the booster to start, still runs, so I'm happy (though popping noise might have killed it).

I suspect I am not getting TDC correct, so tomorrow will try the other valve method (1 valve open, check the other, etc.)

Cheap compression tester arrives tomorrow, but now I read that may not work.

Any ideas?

Thanks for the help!

 

[bertsmobile1]

Bypass the mower battery cables with jumper leads, one at a time then together .
Alos try running the + directly to the starter terminal
Starts as it should = bad cable or connection
Only spins at proper speed conneced directly to the starter , bad cable to starter ot bad solenoid.

 

[slomo]

Load test the battery first.