14.5 B&S won't start witout a jump

[Daveegt]

I have a riding mower with a 14.5 B&S motor. It has a new battery and the starter was taken apart and cleaned. When you try to start it the first rev it seems to stop and moan, the rest of the rev are a little faster but not enough to start. The starter gets warm soon, draws 180 amps and the voltage at the starter is only 7-8 volts. It will start with a jump from a car. I tried using jumper cables to bypass all wiring with same results.
What could be the problem?
Dave

 

[c39er]

Adjust the OH valves carefully to .003-.004" cold. Rotate flywheel CW 1/4" past TDC. It will crank right over fast and steady after a proper valve adjustment! When the valves get out of adjustment the compression release feature designed into the engine fails to function correctly and causes to engine to crank over with great difficulty.

 

[Daveegt]

Adjust the OH valves carefully to .003-.004" cold. Rotate flywheel CW 1/4" past TDC. It will crank right over fast and steady after a proper valve adjustment! When the valves get out of adjustment the compression release feature designed into the engine fails to function correctly and causes to engine to crank over with great difficulty.

Thanks, I had heard that the valves could be the problem, but didn't know any more about what to do. You have been a great help, I will do this later and post it!
Dave

 

[Kevin54]

Is the battery a brand new battery or is it just new to the tractor? What makes me wonder about the battery is that it will start when you jump it, but not by itself.

I would recommend having the battery checked out on a battery checker and under a load if you have someone around that can do it.

 

[Bob C]

I agree with both answers. The jump from a car is a lot more cranking amps and can overcome valves out of adjustment as well as compensate for a weakened battery.

 

[Consaka]

Agree with c39er. Those engines have a marginal starter/battery. I have one and what a pain in the A@@ till I took it down to the local small engine shop and they adjusted the valves. ran like a top ever since.. weeelll till the governor came apart inside.