push lawn mower not starting

[topgun129]

engine model - 120000

Hi All,

I don't know much on the history of this engine but I inspected what I could and the flywheel key, magneto, air filter and spark plug are in good condition. I tested with a spark plug tester and I do get a spark.

I did clean the carb and fuel tank and put in fresh gas. I also sprayed in some starter fluid but no firing at all.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Scrubcadet10]

see if it fires with starting fluid down into the spark plug hole..

 

[topgun129]

will do. i did spray some into the muffler and heard a huge pop when pulling the cord.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

if you do that and find you have spark, make sure the holes in the main jet/bowl screw are clear.

 

[lacrosse_24]

I’d check to see if you have spark, and like scrubcadet said check the carb again.

 

[topgun129]

ok so i checked everything over again. i used my spark plug tester and i do get spark. but the crazy thing is that if i spray starter fluid into the spark plug hole the machine still does not start or turn over. i did notice the machine has a cheap Chinese made armature. its not the original one. could it be possible that it is not the right one for the machine? the previous owner did try changing the armature so that makes sense. he said that the machine was running fine and then all of a sudden it stopped working.

 

[bertsmobile1]

No bang from the engine with fuel down the plug hole that has a good spark usually means either the timing is very wrong, valve is stuck or piston is not moving.
Then we get to exotics like a big hole in the piston, no rings at all

 

[topgun129]

i took the head off the engine and here are some photos. i pulled the cord several times and it seems the valves are opening and closing properly along with the piston going back and forth without issues. could it be the magneto is not providing enough spark? but i did hear a very very faint spark when trying to get it to start the other day when i sprayed starter fluid down the spark plug hole.

 

[StarTech]

It could a valve clearance issue on that 2014 126M02-1525-F4 engine. It also can be a compression issue with the cylinder as it appears to be an oil burner.

 

[topgun129]

would it help if i cleaned all the carbon (especially around the valve seats) and installed a new head gasket? or is it better to just get rid of the machine?