QuestionQUESTION: I have an 01 Craftsman Modle 917.271631 and have been having starting trouble for two complete seasons. I have replaced the starter twice, battery twice, and this week replaced the wiring harness, checked the flywheel key. When i go to start it the starter will start to wind the motor then slow down on the compression stroke then surge again. Monitoring the Voltage during this at the battery it goes from 12.5 down to 9.5 . then parallel with my truck and it goes from 14.3 to 10 volts. jump strait to the starter with heavy duty jumper cables dose same thing. Occasionally it will get past the first compression stroke and will keep going and start. pulled spark plug and it sings with no problems. even with spark plug in i can palm the flywheel cover and overcome the compression stroke with moderate effort. the oil is new as i change it at the start of every season. any ideas or suggestions. THanks. wEaRy LaWn BoY
ANSWER: Hello Josh:
This Problem is Common on the OHV Engines. Reset the Valve Clearance. **I Do Not Use the Setting Called for by the OEMs. I have Found that the Following Works Best. Remove the Valve Cover (on the Dead Cylinder for Twin Cylinder Engines). Set the Cylinder you are Setting the Valves on to Top Dead Center (Both Rocker Arms will have Play in them when the Engine is at TDC) on the Compression Stroke When Setting the Valve Clearance. Now Loosen the Valve Adjuster Locks and Set the Intake Valve Clearance to .004in -.006in and the Exhaust to .007in - .009in. I have had Better Performance Out of the Mowers and Less Burnt Valves Using these Settings. Be Sure the Piston is at TDC on the Compression Stroke.** 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
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Ok that is done and still too much compression to overcome. first i did it with feeler gauge the i actually did it old school with the cover off and tried to adjust while turning over to no avail even with truck parralled on battery system. starter didnt start to get hot for 15 min of trying different things. whats next, pull the cam? like i said it runs great once you get it going but that has become nearly impossible. also found a cool PPT presentation on reassembling B&S which kinda helped me. http://www.tarleton.edu/~mcgregor/A%20EN%202013/2013%20Labs/Reassembly/OHV.Reass
AnswerHello Again Josh:
Thanks for the Site Addy. I will Look at it and Include it in my Files. One Quick Thought and Question; Is the Crankcase Oil Level Correct? If the Crankcase is Overfilled, you will have this Problem. If Setting the Valve Clearance Did Not Correct the Problem and you are Sure the Piston was on TDC of the Compression Stroke, then the Compression Release on the Cam is Broken. This Requires Opening the Engine and Replacing the Compression Release or the Cam (Depends on the Type of Release System Used in this Engine). You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Engine at this Site Addy; http://www.briggsandstratton.com/maint_repair/manual_and_more/doclist.aspx?categ and Enter the Model Numbers (310707) and Type Numbers (0137) in the Appropriate Boxes and Click GO. Then Select Download PDF. According to the Breakdown, this Engine has the Cam and Release as a Single Component. 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
