Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawnmower Start Problem, briggs stratton, compression issue

Question
Hi there, I am wondering if you could help me out? I have what I believe is a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower. Now I thought of cleaning it a but so I took some of it apart. I opened the head and just wiped off any carbon etc.. on the top of the cylinder and valves. I also cleaned a but of the valves underneath as much as I could reach. I didnt take the valvues or the cylinder out I just wiped the top and put it back. I then took off the muffler and the gas tank. Along with that I took off the air filter and anything that connected to the intake pipe. I never took out or opened anything else. Now I try to start my lawnmower and well the 1st try it started up and dyed out in 30 secs. After that it didnt really start. I was checking the spark plug afterwards and well I felt the shock of it but I didnt see any spark show up. This is when I tested it to see if it was the problem. I've also checked the oil level and it is a bit high then max so I will drain some. COuld you please advise me of something? I havent touched any of the internal parts of the engine. I'm not sure why it wont start? If you need more info let me know. Thanks

Answer
You first need to check if the spark plug comes out wet or dry. If it's dry, there is either no fuel or you have a compression issue (should also hear a whisping noise from the exhaust while cranking engine). If the plug is wet, there is either a fuel problem (flooding) or a spark issue. You need to determine this first before we can proceed. Hope this helps.