I'm unable to start my engine after a routine shut down. The flywheel does not turn at all. When I turn the key I can see the starter engage but the engine won't turn. Please provide feedback.

Does the engine turn with a breaker bar on the crank? If the answers yes, you likely have a starter that's defective. (open winding)

Faulty over-running clutch in starter motor.

You said stater engages... but does the starter motor actually run when it engages? I had assumed bendix engages but starter not turning. TxGreaseMonkey assumes it engages and is spinning but engine not turning.

I have seen both situations at different times.

The starter is good. The engine does not turn at all. I can tell the starter is trying to turn the large gear (I guess the crank) but it does not budge.

I tried turning the drive pulley underneath the tractor which is normally driven by the engine but it does not move at all. Is that normal or should the pulley (and shaft) turn freely?

How do you know the starter is good? If the engine isn't locked up... it should spin the engine if its getting as far as engaging the bendix (overrun clutch).

They can and do develop a deadspot... personal experience on more than one occaision on different cars. SInce you never answered the guestion I presented in Post #2. Can you manually rotate the engine by any other means (only in the correct direction of rotation).

No, I cannot turn the engine at all. I tried turning the drive shaft/pulley underneath the tractor which is normally driven by the engine but it does not move at all.

BUT the driveshaft is typically AFTER the engine and attached to the rear differential. Its not likely to turn if both wheels are on the ground without moving the tractor as well as working against whatever the mechanical multiplication of the gear its in. And if its in Neutral... its not going to turn the engine at all.

How about at the crank pulley, there is always a large nut holding that on... with it in neutral... can the engine rotate at all.

I apologize, I'm not an expert like you. What I called the drive shaft I guess is the shaft that comes from the engine and has that pulley at the end of it which turns the main drive belt. I tried turning that pulley with the drive belt removed and the engine does not turn at all.

Ok... that means you have real problems. Is this a gasolene engine or a diesel? If its Gasolene, take the spark plugs out and try to crank it. It was never discussed what type of tractor this is... I assume its liquid cooled. If it is... this discount the possibility a head gasket failure could have hydrolocked the engine. If that is the case coolant will spray out of at least one of the spark plug holes when its cranked (and if it was hydrolocked after shutdown it would crank with the plugs out.).

I was finally able to turn the engine using the large nut at the top of the engine. I started the engine and let it run a few minutes. However, there was a weird sound coming from the engine and then it suddenly stopped. It sounded as if there was some sort of obstruction. Now it won't turn on again. As I turn the engine by hand, I cand here something rattling internally. I removed the "engine head cover" exposed the valves and piston. Nothing unusual, just carbon build up which loked "normal". I believe the noise is coming from the other end of the piston. The tractor is a craftsmen DLT3000. Your thoughts?

Note, the piston moves up and down smoothly.

Ok... I thought you had something MUCH bigger because of the forum you posted this in..


V twin aircooled briggs and stratton engine, vertical shaft.

I assume your flywheel isn't loose. Under the top cover. If its is you likely have a sheared woodruf key as well.

Check that out. If its OK... thats a bad sign something is very wrong inside the engine.

The flywheel is not loose. As I turn the flywheel by hand, I can hear and feel something inside sort of rattling and at some point the flywheel reaches sort of a hard stop. I'm not sure how to access the area behind the piston and underneath the flywheel as I'd like to see if there actually something loose or broken inside. Any suggestions?

With all this other info... I'm convinced you have serious internal engine issues.

To get to that you have to pull the engine off the tractor frame, flip it over and if I'm not mistaken on that type engine, the bottom mosty portion comes off. Yeah it MIGHT be something that could be fixed reasonible cheaply, but odds are if you have to pay a small engine mechanic the repairs can easily come close to the price of a new engine off eBay.

My understanding of these twin cylinder Briggs engines is that they are really sensitive about proper oil changes and being run low on oil unlike many other small lawnmower engines.

I'm guessing its either the writspin end (where it connects to the piston) of a rod that's essentually gone... or even worse the crankshaft end that's gone.