Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 19 hp kohler, hp kohler, minor glitch

Question
After mowing a few days ago I shut off the engine and heard a loud backfire , just assumed gas was too lean or some other minor glitch.  Two days later I went to start the mower and all it did was crank, and crank, and crank, I did all I know, not much, Made sure theren was spark, fuel, in nuetral, deck not engaged,even changed to new plug,Still nothing, I did read about a fuel soeniod, but am not sure where it is?  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hello Lee:

Sorry for the Delay. This Question was Located in the Question Pool and I can Only Answer Questions from the Question Pool when I am Not Answering Questions here or at the Other Site I am Located At. From your Description it Sounds like 1 of the Following is the Cause of your Problem. You Say you have Fire at the Plug/s, so; 1- The Carburetor Solenoid is Bad and Not Allowing the Gas Into the Carburetor Jet. The Following is a Basic Instruction File I made for Checking the Carburetor Solenoid. Any Input is Appreciated. **Check for Current/Voltage (10.5 VDC Minimum) to the Carburetor Shut Off Solenoid. If the Carburetor Shut Off Solenoid has Current, then On Some Solenoids you can Remove the Needle and Replace the Solenoid to Test them. ****PLEASE DO NOT OPERATE THE MOWER WITH THE SOLENOID BYPASSED IN THIS MANNER. THIS IS "ONLY" FOR TESTING.**** For Others, Remove the Carburetor Solenoid and Go to the Hardware Store. Purchase a Bolt of the Same Diameter and Threads.It Needs to be 1/2" to 3/4" Long for the Horizontal Mount Solenoids and 1/4" Long for the Vertical Mount Solenoids. Put this Bolt in Place of the Solenoid. If this Corrects the Engine Problem, then Replace the Solenoid. ***NOTE: THIS IS FOR CHECKING THE SOLENOID ONLY I NEVER SUGGEST YOU OPERATE THE ENGINE WITH THE SOLENOID OUT OF THE CARBURETOR EXCEPT FOR TESTING PURPOSES*** Sometimes the Plunger is Moving, Just Not Far Enough to Allow the Gas to Enter the Jet.**  2- The Engine Backfiring Damaged the Flywheel Key. The Following is the Instruction File I Made for Removing the Flywheel from Most Mower Engines.  It is the Basics and if you have a Question, Please Ask. Any Input to Make this File Better is Appreciated. ***Disconnect the Coil Wire from the Spark Plug. Remove the Blower Housing (metal engine cover). Remove the Coil. Remove the Flywheel Nut or Starter Clutch (Depends on the Model). Now Attach a Steering Wheel Puller to the Flywheel Using the Threaded Holes in the Flywheel. Tighten the Puller. Now Hit the Puller with a Hammer. Repeat this Procedure Until the Flywheel Pops Up or can be Lifted Off the Crankshaft. On Some Models you Can Not Use a Puller and Must Use a Pry Bar and a Pipe Cap that is Slightly Larger than the Crankshaft. Place the Pipe Cap Over the Crankshaft to Protect it. Place the Pry Bar Under the Thick Section of the Flywheel and Pull Up Against the Flywheel. **BE CAREFUL  DO NOT PUT A HOLE IN THE BLOCK UNDER THE FLYWHEEL** Now Hit the Pipe Cap that is on the Crankshaft (covered with the Pipe Cap). Repeat the Procedure Until the Flywheel can be Lifted Off the Crankshaft. Replace the Key Between the Flywheel and the Crankshaft. *** Be Sure you have the Flywheel Torqued to the Proper Torque ( I Require the engine Model and Spec Numbers to Provide you with the Proper Torque of the Flywheel Nut/Clutch) and Set the Coil to Flywheel Gap to .020in..  The Following is an Instruction File I Made to Replace the Ign Coil. **Using the Provided Site Addy, Locate the Breakdown for the Engine to Assist you in Doing this Repair if you Require it. Remove the Blower Housing (metal engine cover). Under this you will See the Ign Coil (has the Lead to the Plug Attached to it. Unplug and Unbolt the Ign Coil and Remove the Coil. Use a Section of a Soft Drink Carton (example: a Mt Dew 24 pk Side Panel Cut to 3" x 6". Turn the Flywheel so the Magnet is Facing the Ign Coil and Place the Cardboard Section Between the Ign Coil and the Magnet. Let the Magnet Pull the Ign Coil to the Flywheel and then Tighten the Ign Coil Mounting Bolts. Turn the Flywheel and Pull the Cardboard Panel at the Same Time and Remove the Panel from between the Flywheel and the Ign Coil. Connect the Wire/s to the Ign Coil. Replace the Blower Housing and Any Other Hardware you Removed to Remove the Blower Housing. Attach the Plug Lead to the Spark Plug. Now Start the Engine.** If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John