I recently got a used Craftsman lawn tractor with 15.5 HP turbo OHV Briggs & Stratton engine. It does not start - it cranks, engine turns (when I take out the spark plug, I can feel puffs of air coming out), but the engine does not catch on.
I have put in a new battery, cleaned air filter, put in a new spark plug, siphoned out the old (probably stale) fuel and put new fuel in. No luck.

Reading other postings on similar topics, I get the impression that I may have to replace the starter. Any test that can tell me this is indeed my problem? Is this an easy DYI? Would this be my next item to check, or am I missing any steps?

Anything else that I can do to rule out the obvious (the tractor has not been used in a year, and had gas sitting in it all this while). Thanks.

Hello aknj:

From your Description it Sounds like there May be Several Problems here. Depending on the Engine Model and Type, the Starter Turning the Engine Slowly can be; 1- the Valve Clearance Requires Setting. 2- the Starter is Bad and Requires Replacing. The Not Starting Problem can be 1 of the Following; 1- The Carburetor Requires Soaking and Cleaning. 2- The Carburetor Solenoid is Stuck and Requires Cleaning, Lubrication or Needs to be Replaced. All the Above Causes are Dependent on the Model and Type of the Engine. I can Supply you with Instruction Files for Making the Repairs and Doing the Diagnostics if you Require them. Send me the Model and Type or Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. The Model Numbers May be Stamped Into the Blower Housing (metal engine cover) Above the Spark Plug. Many horizontal shaft, overhead valve engines have these numbers stamped into the OHV rocker cover. However, on certain overhead valve powered generators, the equipment manufacturer installs a decorative chrome rocker cover OVER the Briggs cover. If your engine has a decorative cover, it may be necessary to remove it in order to locate the Model, Type, and Code. You can Also Use this Site Addy; http://www.briggsandstratton.com/mai...eltypecode.pdf for Assistance in Locating the Model, Type and Code Numbers of the Engine. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Site Addy, Small Engine Parts Warehouse - Parts and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM and Enter the Model (5 or 6 Digits) and Type Numbers (first 4 digits Only). Example: XXXXXX-XXXX. Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. Select Sectional Index. Now you can Select the Section of the Engine you Wish to View. 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. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

John, thank you for responding to my question, and in detail.
The engine model is 20N707
Type: 0173-01 and code is 970514ZE
Thanks again,
Ak

Well, I got the tractor to work. In case this will be of help to someone else,
Here goes:

Turned out, the stale fuel had gummed up the carburetor.
To test this hypothesis, I removed the air filter, sprayed some
Carburetor cleaner into the air intake of the carburetor
And tried to start the engine. The engine caught on, i.e. started,
But quickly stalled. This confirmed that the problem was a gummed up
Carburetor.

Next, I sprayed the carburetor cleaner into the air intake,
Started the engine, and kept spraying one burst of the carburetor
Cleaner every time the engine was about to stall.
After about 5-6 such sprays, the engine started running smoothly,
Without stalling - problem fixed.

I left the engine running for a while after this, to recharge the battery
And hopefully burn up any old fuel that may have still been in the system.

With 20/20 hindsight, you will now use something like Sta-Bil fuel additive when the gas is expected to sit for 3 months. It must be used in new fuel.

Hello aknj:

I am Glad you Located the Problem.

Respectfully
John

Hi, about 6 yrs. Ago I bought a Craftsman LT1000 tractor with a Briggs&Stratton Intek 18hp OHV engine. Up until a year ago it ran good . Now I am getting a bad cloud of white/blue smoke out of the exhaust(looks like I'm fogging for bugs). When I turn the engine off, I get a back flow of smoke through the air intake. I have changed the oil,new air filter,and new gas,and it fouls the spark plug frequently. I have put 2 new plugs in, in the past month. When first starting up I can use it about 30-45 minutes. Before I start losing power and becoming overwhelmed by the smoke. Can you please help?

I am not an expert. But, it sounds to me like you are burning oil.
May be the gasket is blown. There are synthetic oil-additive products that reduce the friction
In the cylinder (and are claimed to improve gas mileage in cars).
You may want to try that and see if it makes a difference.
If the seals are broken, the fix may be expensive.

I had the same issue, it turned out to be a bad fuel pump diaphragm, I replaced it and was fine.