Hello TBN,
Tl;dr: Motor turns over via starter but won't catch -- don't have combustion. May have flooded it? Or need to replace carb/plug/solenoid...?
First time poster and new to small engines so bear with me, I have used other TBN posts to get this far..but I'm stuck. I bought a used, but supposedly previously working, tractor from a friend for use on half an acre I just bought. It was stored in a shed for 2-3 years following the manual's storage instructions. Worked on it for two days cleaning it up and replacing all the parts the manual instructed. However, now that I've completed this, the engine will not start. As I'm not very familiar with the operation of a small engine I could use help either diagnosing this issue or an explanation (links) of how they work? Thanks for any help!
Stats:
Mode: Craftsman EZ3 15.5hp 917.259340
Spark Plug: RJ19LM
Oil: 3.0p SAE30 (10W30 currently)
Gas: 1.25g capacity (0.1 currently)
Batt: 25A/hr 190CCA (30A/hr 325CCA currently)
Items fixed -- Notes:
New battery -- which is in correctly installed and more power than spec'ed in the manual.
New spark plug -- the one removed, however, had 10mm more thread on the screw as did the replacement, albeit was darkened. This was very difficult.
Replace oil -- old oil was very dark, used 10W30 and 87-rated gasoline.
New fuel filter -- the one removed was different (larger w/ more visible filter).
New air filter and cartridge - old was in good shape.
Tuned throttle cable -- as per manual to ensure proper choke
Also replaced the badly frayed V-Belt, a rusted blade, and greased most moving parts accessible (were rusty so needed it even if not recommended).
Long desc of issue:
Once items above were replaced, I tried starting about 15 total times over 3 minutes following the procedure in the manual (sit on seat, disengage mower, depress clutch w/ parking brake, shift to neutral, throttle to choke, crank < 15x/minute). The starter would spin the flywheel but nothing would catch, no combustion. There was fuel dripping on/near the solenoid and where the fuel line connects to [it/something] nearby -- not clear where this was from (wasn't the fuel filter). After the second attempt fuel was dripping from within the air filter area (but not yet soaking the filter) -- I assume this is flooding. The starter's gear seems to be engaged even when not starting and had scentless white smoke for a moment on the last attempt. Lastly, I stupidly removed the engine cover after these attempts to ensure the flywheel wasn't stuck, spilling oil on the floor with the dipstick being removed, apparently a previously good level of oil had suddenly expanded a few inches past the fill mark to spill out. The was other fuel nearby so couldn't tell if the oil smelled of fuel.
Tl;dr: Motor turns over via starter but won't catch -- don't have combustion. May have flooded it? Or need to replace carb/plug/solenoid...?
First time poster and new to small engines so bear with me, I have used other TBN posts to get this far..but I'm stuck. I bought a used, but supposedly previously working, tractor from a friend for use on half an acre I just bought. It was stored in a shed for 2-3 years following the manual's storage instructions. Worked on it for two days cleaning it up and replacing all the parts the manual instructed. However, now that I've completed this, the engine will not start. As I'm not very familiar with the operation of a small engine I could use help either diagnosing this issue or an explanation (links) of how they work? Thanks for any help!
Stats:
Mode: Craftsman EZ3 15.5hp 917.259340
Spark Plug: RJ19LM
Oil: 3.0p SAE30 (10W30 currently)
Gas: 1.25g capacity (0.1 currently)
Batt: 25A/hr 190CCA (30A/hr 325CCA currently)
Items fixed -- Notes:
New battery -- which is in correctly installed and more power than spec'ed in the manual.
New spark plug -- the one removed, however, had 10mm more thread on the screw as did the replacement, albeit was darkened. This was very difficult.
Replace oil -- old oil was very dark, used 10W30 and 87-rated gasoline.
New fuel filter -- the one removed was different (larger w/ more visible filter).
New air filter and cartridge - old was in good shape.
Tuned throttle cable -- as per manual to ensure proper choke
Also replaced the badly frayed V-Belt, a rusted blade, and greased most moving parts accessible (were rusty so needed it even if not recommended).
Long desc of issue:
Once items above were replaced, I tried starting about 15 total times over 3 minutes following the procedure in the manual (sit on seat, disengage mower, depress clutch w/ parking brake, shift to neutral, throttle to choke, crank < 15x/minute). The starter would spin the flywheel but nothing would catch, no combustion. There was fuel dripping on/near the solenoid and where the fuel line connects to [it/something] nearby -- not clear where this was from (wasn't the fuel filter). After the second attempt fuel was dripping from within the air filter area (but not yet soaking the filter) -- I assume this is flooding. The starter's gear seems to be engaged even when not starting and had scentless white smoke for a moment on the last attempt. Lastly, I stupidly removed the engine cover after these attempts to ensure the flywheel wasn't stuck, spilling oil on the floor with the dipstick being removed, apparently a previously good level of oil had suddenly expanded a few inches past the fill mark to spill out. The was other fuel nearby so couldn't tell if the oil smelled of fuel.
