Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deer Sabre 1538 Hydro, breather vent, crankcase breather

Question
Hello I will try to be as brief here as possible.. I bought a used John Deere Sabre Riding mower 1538 Hydro last week it seemed very sound and ran well at the guys house I purchased it from. I got it out of the barn today for the first time to cut grass and it smoked some when I started it (I figured because it had been sitting for a few days I dunno) I was cutting the front yard and it would smoke when I would hit a patch of taller grass or go up any elevation .. I cut for about 20 minutes and it just stopped..no noise no nothing. Now it will not start or even act like it wants to start. Hoping you can help me out here...Please don't tell me I bought another lemon..
Diana

Answer
Hello Diana:

The Smoke May have been From the Crankcase being Overfilled Slightly with Oil or the Crankcase Breather/Vent May be Sticking. Remove the Spark Plug and Replace with One you Know is Good. Wrap a Wire Around the Threads of the Plug and Attach the Other End of the Wire to the Engine Block. Turn the Engine and Look at the Plug. Does it Fire? If the Plug is Firing, then Remove the Air Filter and Pour a Small Amount of Gas Into the Carburetor Throat (Approx 1 oz). Try to start the Engine. If it Starts and Quits, Then the Carburetor May Need to be Rebuilt. If it Doesn't, then the Valves May need to be Reset. If the Plug is Not Firing, then a Safety Switch May have a Bad Connection or Just Went Bad. Jumper the Seat Safety Switch First. Do Each Safety Switch Until you Locate the Bad Switch. If All the Safety Switches are Good and the Plug Still Doesn't Fire, then Remove the Coil/Armeture Shut Off Wire from the Coil and Check the Plug for Fire (the Coil/Armature is Under the Blower Housing where the Flywheel is). If the Plug Doesn't Fire with the Cut Off Wire Disconnected from the Coil/Armature, then the Coil/Armature is Bad. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower and Engine at this Site Addy, http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.H... and Enter the Model Numbers and Click Find. Then Click on the Model in the Results Area. Then Select Sectional Index. Then Select the Section of the Mower you Wish to View. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John