Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): B&S 14.5hp OHV wont fire, rocker arm, rocker arms


Question
QUESTION: Hi Robert
The mower be came difficult to start, and finally quit all together. After several attempts it will drain the battery and the terminals become warm. I've adjusted the valves to 0.030", replaced the starter and the solenoid. The main fuse is good. I pulled the spark plug and the engine spins freely under power. After loosening the magnet; allowing it to move to the flywheel, I connected the plug to the wire and the spark was an orange/white color. It didn't appear to be very strong, but I have nothing to gauge it by. When I replace the spark plug, the engine will spin a couple of rotations and stop. Remove the plug and it spins free again.

What's the next step? Thanks!


ANSWER: Hi George
 The correct valve settings are as follows: Intake .007-.009  Exhaust .017-.019. The magneto gap specs are .010-.014. Sparkplug gap .030. Check your magneto arms and the flywheel magnet for rust and trash buildup. This can cause a weak spark. Set your engine up with these specs and see what you have. Let me know how it goes.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Robert
Thanks for the correct specs. I set the valves accordingly, when both were in the open position. I cleaned the rust off of the magneto and flywheel and gapped it at 0.012". The spark improved minimally.

I still have the same problem of the flywheel stopping at one rotation, while both valves are in the open position.
Next step?
Thanks, George

Answer
I am hoping you mean the valves at the closed position, both rocker arms up. Remove the rocker arm cover. On the intake valve, decrease the gap slightly. Remove the plug wire and turn the engine over. It may take a couple of times doing this but it works. Let me know.