Small Engine Help

[carambola]

I have a problem.

I have a craftsman riding mower that i refuse to give up on.

A while ago the ignition switch fell apart so i tried to reassemble it and fried the electrical system. i finally got her running again, really rough, and mowed a bit of the lawn. I neglected to change anything but electrical, but i did drain the gas.

A drive belt worked her way off the pulley, in a fit of rage i just picked the mower up and then turned her on her side to put the belt back on. I then attempted to start her up and she wouldn't turn over, just rotate slowly. Today after thinking about it, i pulled the spark plug and rotated her by hand. I say rotated because it not even close to turning over. oil came pouring out of the plug hole. i rotated a bit more and mainly cleared the cylinder. i then tried to start her and the only thing that would happen is the ampmeter would go negative, 80%.

I jumped the starter and she would almost turn over.

what is my next step?

[Zeke]

When you turned it over on its side, oil ran into the cylinder. That's why the slow, tight feel. Now oil should not run into the cylinder all that easily. I think you've got some problems that are going to require a tear down. At the very least, use compressed air to get all the oil you can out of the cylinder and install a fresh plug.

Don't know why your meter is acting up the way it is. The ignition should be a magneto. You don't meter a magneto. Unless you have some kind of battery, points, condenser ignition. I'm OK with small motors, but I don't know all the types.

[carambola]

A briggs and straton, 18.5hp, ohv

[johnsjmc]

I think you have a hydraulic lock. The oil in the cyl is not compressible and the engine won,t turn over because of it. Remove the plug and try starting with the starter If it spins the motor fast it will blast the oil out through the plug hole(good idea to cover it with a rag to minimize the mess) .Put a teaspoon of gas in the cyl and then blow it out to get the remainder of the oil out. A new plug and it should start. I would also clean out the air filter because that is probably the path from crankcase to cyl thru a crank vent when turned upside down.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by johnsjmc

I would also clean out the air filter because that is probably the path from crankcase to cyl thru a crank vent when turned upside down.

Good thinking there. But, man, he would have had to had things just right. Intake valve open, turned on the correct side, etc.

[carambola]

i don't know how i did it, but leaked out both holes.

i washed the filter off and blew it dry and i jumped out the starter to clear the cylinder.

never thought about the gas to clean it, thx.

[johnsjmc]

And don,t forget to check the oil level. You could have lost as much as 1/2 qt.

[Evans, Marv]

Just went through the same thing with my 34 cc gas weed whacker. Had it stored on its end for several months. Tried to pull the cord & it wouldn't budge, and the thought came to me it might be hydrolocked. Removed the spark plug, turned it over & oil ran out of the plug hole. I ended up draining the combustion chamber & rinsing & draining with gas, draining the crank case & replacing the oil, and completely disassembling & cleaning the carb & air filter. I learned to never store it like that again. Ran like a champ after that though like it always has.

[LWJ]

18.5HP? Is that a single or a twin?

Advice is right on above. I am wondering if there is a second cylinder that needs the same treatment? B&S engines are simple. Common sense goes a long way.
Larry

[carambola]

So I got her running again.
It seems that when i turned her over after turning her over i burned out the starter solenoid trying to compress a cylinder with oil in it.
The 18.5 is a single in this case. I added a bit of Techron as per this board to help with the surging issue before i had to rebuilt the carb, she is running smooth now.