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redman32m · Jan 31, 2007, 07:46 AM

I have a Craftsman 42" Riding mower that's approx 5-7 years old. It runs great when it runs, but when I try to start it up is when I run into trouble.

Ive replaced the battery... brushes in the starter... fuel filter... cleaned all the battery connections including the ground on the frame.

It cranks slow like a car would ,if the timing was not set properly.

Once the mower is running... it will start right up and go. Its when it sits for a period, that the problem with the slow cranking starts. Ive checked the battery level ,after sitting and its fully charged, so I don't think its an electrical problem.

Please offer some advise to keep this mower running.

Thanks!! Rich

ballengerb1 · Jan 31, 2007, 07:55 AM

Check you oil level to be sure you don't have raw gas leaking past the float bowl into the crank case. I ran into this recently on a mower with a Kohler engine. It cranked slow because the gas filled the crank to the point that the parts had no place to move. Just a thought.

redman32m · Jan 31, 2007, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Check you oil level to be sure you don't have raw gas leaking past the float bowl into the crank case. I ran into this recently on a mower with a Kohler engine. It cranked slow because the gas filled the crank to the point that the parts had no place to move. Just a thought.

I checked the oil level as you mentioned... The oil level looked fine. I didn't smell any gas in the oil?

Any other thoughts

eclectic · Feb 4, 2007, 08:53 AM

Rich
I think your problem is the 15.5 briggs engine and the soft camshaft that were in the early engines. Replacement is the answer. Check with small engine repair person about this.
Nolen

thebriggsdude · Feb 5, 2007, 11:40 PM

Is it a OHV engine? Have the valves (rocket arms) gapped per that engines specs (usually in the engine owners manual, from the briggs website... ) while your there you can check and see if your getting good valve travel (the pushrods opening the valves all the way)

mrfly · Oct 8, 2007, 02:10 PM

Sounds like a bad cam shaft or on some briggs engines there is a compression release tab on the cam that goes bad

MOWERMAN2468 · Oct 9, 2007, 06:18 PM

Well, it could be the camshaft compression release, or it could be the valves out of adjustment.

boxblade22 · Feb 28, 2008, 08:02 PM

When your mower sits and all the oil has run back down to the oilpan the older and spread piston rings are creating more friction on start-ups. Try using a synthetic oil or adding Slick-50 to existing oil to always keep all parts lubed during non use times and off season. Good luck, Paul T.