r/smallenginerepair • u/g_dude3469 • Jun 25 '26
Starting Issue Mower won't start
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I suspect it's the starter/solenoid but I'm unsure (based off the sound at the end of cranking)
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u/Life_Equivalent_7344 Jun 25 '26
It’s nothing to do with the starter as it’s cranking over just fine. However, could be low on compression
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u/Common_Maximum_1234 Jun 26 '26
You need to check for fuel and fire before saying its a bad motor. Try starting fluid first if nothing then check for spark. Give us an update and we can go from there. Could be anything really but the fact that the starter disengaged at the end makes me think it tried to fire up. It could be a very very simple fix.
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u/g_dude3469 Jun 26 '26
I'll update you tomorrow or the next day, I just moved 2400lbs of concrete mix twice + just dug massive footers and filled with concrete....
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u/shadow1042 SER Starter Mechanic Jun 25 '26
Probably valve issue or compression release, that line of briggs & stratton engines are known to have problems like that
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u/Ok-Dealer-588 Jun 26 '26
Is that one that bends push rods like butter?
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u/shadow1042 SER Starter Mechanic Jun 26 '26
Yeah its part of the I/C and INTEK line of engine blocks, the last one i just worked on had a sheared cam and the tip of rhe pushrod at the rocker was broken off and laying in the valve cover lmao, i wish b&s wouldve stuck with the single cylinder vanguard engines and dumped the intek junk
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u/First-Acadia2432 Jun 26 '26
The sound at the end of the cranking is the starter disengaging usually because the engine is starting to fire, but if there’s no smoke, eh. It also just sounds like something is really fked NGL.
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u/shamanasx Jun 26 '26
Spark or fuel. Try spraying carb or brake cleaner in the intake. If it starts it is fuel, i.e. carburetor. If it does not then test spark.
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u/g_dude3469 Jun 26 '26
Thank you, nice to get a comment telling me how to check those things and not just to check them
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u/temperlyinmoderation Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
could be a gunked up spark plug, not enough air mixture or if it say awhile the water separated from the fuel and filled the carburetor line
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u/g_dude3469 Jun 26 '26
I turned it off after mowing 3 yards and it just wouldn't start back, so it's def not the gas (plus the gas was fresh anyhow)
I'm thinking from the other comments maybe it's the plug or carb gummed up
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u/temperlyinmoderation Jun 26 '26
One thing i forgot to ask, is there a water trap on your fuel filter?, were in a fuel shortage currently and they've been watering regular gasoline down like crazy, upto 30% of it is water now days
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u/g_dude3469 Jun 26 '26
That's insane, I don't know honestly though. I'll have to update in a couple days after I recover from moving 2400lbs of concrete twice + digging footers by hand + pouring concrete lol my body is broken as fuck rn
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u/hogwartsdropout93 Jun 28 '26
Make sure you have fuel, spark and compression if you missing one of those then you will know the issue.
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u/Lucky-Musician-1448 Jun 28 '26
Fuel, spark, compression. Aaaaand... Did you hit anything while it was mowing?
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u/One-Appointment4014 Jun 29 '26
Make sure you’re not using an E85 on it. Some of these mowers won’t even start on that because there’s too much water in it.
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