Craftsman riding mower flywheel wont rotate after valve adjust
#1
05-11-12, 03:32 PM
Craftsman riding mower flywheel wont rotate after valve adjust
I HAVE A CRAFTSMAN RIDING MOWER WITH A 17 HP MOTOR. I ADJUSTED THE VALVES AND THE ENGINE FIRED RIGHT UP. I REPLACED THE COVER AND TRIED TO START ENGINE AGAIN AND NOW THE FLYWHEEL WONT ROTATE. CANT EVEN ROTATE BY HAND. CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP
#2
05-12-12, 05:46 AM
First, do not force the flywheel to get it to turn. then take the valve cover back off and check the push rods to see if they're all in place. They may have fallen out and are causing the problem.
If they are in place at both ends of the push rod, loosen the rocker nuts and see if you can turn the flywheel. If you can, readjust the valves, double check everything to make sure it's all in place and stick it back together.
If they are in place at both ends of the push rod, loosen the rocker nuts and see if you can turn the flywheel. If you can, readjust the valves, double check everything to make sure it's all in place and stick it back together.
#9
05-18-12, 06:52 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Your flywheel turns now? If the bottom push rod isn't moving, it isn't in place. Use a flashlight and look.
#10
05-19-12, 11:44 AM
Yes the flywheel is moving and I actually got the bottom one to move but now it wont start it turns about a half turn and stops. I readjusted valves again and still the same thing like it has to much compression or something.
#13
05-19-12, 08:19 PM
they should be about .004 (that's 4 one thousandths of an inch) and are you doing it with piston 1/4 inch past top dead centre compression stroke. .406 is almost 1/2 inch unless if the .406 is in millimeters then I think it's still too much as I calculate .004 inches to be .101 millimeters
#14
05-20-12, 05:57 AM
I was told to adjust each when the top was completely closed and the then adjust bottom then vice versa. This is in millimeters. I will try .004. I'm knew to this stuff and I appreciate the help
#15
05-20-12, 10:20 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Put the engine at top dead center on the compression stroke, then turn it clockwise enough to put the piston 1/4 inch down from top dead center, then adjust the valves to .004" (four thousandths of an inch).
#16
05-20-12, 02:21 PM
Briggs says to do it as Cheese said and I did a test and did it your way and Briggs way and the readings were different so I advise doing it as Cheese and Briggs say. Remember the .004 is in inches.
#17
05-22-12, 04:14 PM
Ok readjusted valves again still does same thing but I noticed that it's the top valve that is causing it to hang up. The bottom is smooth and easy to move when it gets to top thats when it hangs up and hard to rotate by hand.
#18
05-22-12, 08:48 PM
Do you have the plug in when rotating by hand? It's going to be hard to rotate by hand when you have good compression. How did you conclude that the top valve was causing it to hang up. It will be hard to turn just before the top valve (exhaust opens) because that is the compression stroke as the piston hits top dead centre. As piston heads down on the power stroke to bottom dead centre then the top valve will begin to open for the exhaust stroke. Things actually seem normal.
#20
05-23-12, 09:52 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
I'd say it's one of four things:
The battery is low,
There is oil and/or gas in the cylinder,
The valves are still not properly adjusted,
The compression release on the camshaft is broken.
The battery is low,
There is oil and/or gas in the cylinder,
The valves are still not properly adjusted,
The compression release on the camshaft is broken.
#21
05-23-12, 11:35 AM
Ok guys got it started mowed my front yard and now all of a sudden I have a new problem. It is like the gears have went out it now can't go forward or backward. Any suggestions? I checked the belt it's not broken seems maybe a little lose. When I'm moving the gears it's not engaging the pulleys. What would cause this?
Last edited by Lora466; 05-23-12 at 12:28 PM.
#23
05-23-12, 06:16 PM
I took the spark plug out and adjusted valves again let it rotate a few times without compression on it then hooked jumper cables to it and she fired up... Thanks for your help on that... Where is the transmission belt? I checked the one on top the deck.
