Troy Built Lawn Tractor - Crank but starter sticks and won't turn over?

choinga

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  • / Troy Built Lawn Tractor - Crank but starter sticks and won't turn over?
I have a Troy Built 13W79KT Lawn Tractor. I just had the carbs rebuilt, changed the gas to new, replaced the fuel and oil filters and changed the oil. The engine wouldn't turn over after sitting a while and that seemed to get it up and running. It has always had this annoying problem of the starter engaging and then just sticking. I have to turn the key off and on again sometimes 3 or 4 times before the starter will kick the engine around enough that it will turn itself over. After all my maintenance it started and ran fine at idle for some time but when I started driving it around it stalled on me (my fault) and then would never start back up again - the starter will turn but it's like the engine won't turn with it and after 5-6 times it will spin the engine around a revolution or two but not enough to turn it over. Any idea what could be the problem? I don't think it's battery because I have it hooked up to a jumper system now so it should be getting enough power - the battery may be suspect but it does hold a charge and will turn the starter by itself - no change if on it's own or hooked up to the jumper system. I can manually turn the engine over by rotating it around.

It's kinof always done this - not this bad but even after it was new and I'd start it up from time to time I'd turn the key and hear the engine turn about a quarter rev and then it would just stick. Turn the key a few more times - no movement just stuck...turn it again and away she went.

No idea what this could be - crappy battery, bad starter, something else?

Thanks!

I'm uploading the video now - should be ready to view in 10 mins or so - to give you an idea of what it's doing. http://youtu.be/qGWTrJGRClw

The other thing you can see is that the starter does not recede back down when the engine doesn't catch. The times it did catch, it goes back down - assuming there's something that tells the starter when there's enough RPM to drop so this is normal.
 
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ILENGINE

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  • / Troy Built Lawn Tractor - Crank but starter sticks and won't turn over?
You don't say what engine is on your mower. I am assuming a Briggs single cylinder overhead valve engine. Remove the spark plug and see how it turns over. If it still hangs up then start checking for battery problems, wire connection problems, or starter problems. If it cranks over real fast, then you probably need to adjust the valve clearances.
 

Rokon

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  • / Troy Built Lawn Tractor - Crank but starter sticks and won't turn over?
From the video, he has a Kohler Courage.

Check out valve adjust and other related parts in the valve train.

Also check the engine bolts under the flywheel on the cylinder side, while the cover is off. They are usually loose.
 
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