17hp Craftsman Tractor just cranks won't turn over/start

[Hawkman2k]

After 2 weeks of this seasons mowing, my Craftsman Tractor backfired and then stalled when I engaged the mower deck. I would not restart.

Engine cranks just fine but does not even try to turn over(start).

Since then I have:

• Changed oil
• fresh gas and plug
• replaced gas filter and gas lines
• installed Brand new carbeurator
• installed brand new fuel pump
• had battery load tested
• confirmed plug is sparking(removed and saw arching)

Any ideas what else I can check?

 

[Egon]

What is the compression like?

Have you or can you make any adjustments to the carb?

Is it possible to pull the valve cover and see if all is good?

 

[tcartwri]

Bent/broke the pushrods in one of the heads. Clean the valve covers well and pull them off. With the plugs disconnected, spin the motor over while watching the valve movement. Report back.

 

[ray66v]

If it is cranking, it is turning over. That is the same thing.

What it is not doing is firing, or running.

Remove the spark plug and spray some ether, or WD-40 in there, reinstall the plug and see if it fires.

If it fires, it's a fuel issue, if it doesn't, it could be spark, timing, or compression.

If it doesn't run on the starting fluid, and you're really lucky, it's just something simple like the key for the flywheel is sheared. That would cause the timing to change, and not allow it to run.

 

[SSdoxie]

Check for sheared or severely worn key in the flywheel. Sounds like ignition timing jumped.

 

[Blaneypark]

Have been through the worn key problem on two engines. It doesn't take much to knock off the timing.

 

[Baby Grand]

Have been through the worn key problem on two engines. It doesn't take much to knock off the timing.

One good backfire used to do it on our Craftsman.
The backfire started when the fuel shut off solenoid on the carb bowl started to die.

 

[sox3]

Seen that sheared key a lot on the Kohler engines after backfire.