I have read with interest all the posts about non-starting John Deere's. I have a z425 with a briggs and Stratton engine that started having very low power this season. I did the usual servicing: fuel filter, oil, oil filter, air filter, and spark plugs. This made no difference. I then cleaned the carb linkages with some success. The mower never seems to be running at full power. I finally pulled the carb, but it appeared to be very clean. After reattaching the problem was even worse. I bought a carb repair kit and replaced all the parts, now it will not start at all. It backfires through the carb and that is about it. I did test to see that the solenoid actuated, but have not tested to see if it may be the problem. I have no repair manual and thus have not yet checked the valves or the fly wheel pin. Any thoughts?