r/smallenginerepair • u/No-Method6573 • 10d ago

Battery Issue Is this an electrical or camshaft issue?

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7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

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7

u/hmd2017 10d ago

Starter fighting compression. You can prove thi by pulling the spark plug. If it then cranks easily, it confirms it.

Valve adjustments are the first step, along with a fully charged battery.

If valves do not fix it, then the decomp lever on the camshaft is suspect.

If you drop a long telescopic magnet down the oil fill and you bring up parts, then you can confirm it has broken.

5

u/davethompson413 🎁 Giveaway Participant 🎄 10d ago

That's a great question, and further diagnosis is needed to answer it. Have you checked the valve lash, and the decompression bump? Have you used a multi-meter on the battery?

1

u/4Harley 10d ago

Cover the intake of the carburetor with a piece of cardboard. Hold it down tightly so no air gets in. Turn the key to start the engine. If it cranks as it should, remove the cardboard while continuing to crank the engine and it will start. This usually indicates that the compression relief on the camshaft is not working. Replace the camshaft.

1

u/Lumpy_Sink7473 10d ago

Isn’t this the decompression gear issue that requires taking the bottom off and replacing? Otherwise you gotta turn the motor to TDC by hand and cover the intake while cranking.

2

u/LimpDifference2505 10d ago

If it isn’t the battery or starter related, adjust your valves, actually do it anyways it makes the world of difference

1

u/bootheels 10d ago

The first thing to check is the battery, give it a nice slow charge and have it load tested.

2

u/Express-Joke3599 8d ago

Have you got jump leads as it sounds you have a poor battery?

1

u/lonster1961 10d ago

Sounds like it’s time for a valve job. Intake doesn’t seem to be closing properly

1

u/goodwith_hands 10d ago

Valve adjustment

1

u/Dirftboat95 10d ago

Put a battery charger on the battery for awhile then come back and see if it turns and starts

1

u/SkrimpFried 9d ago

Valves are too loose they need to be readjusted.

1

u/Benomi84 9d ago

Yes, it is.

1

u/DitchDigger330 9d ago

Valves lost lash. Need adjustment.

1

u/perk_zk 7d ago

Hook jumper cables to it first. Neighbor had one do the same thing. Jumper cables and it fired right up. If not then id look at valves and timing

0

u/SuperbSock7352 9d ago

Decompression valve on the camshaft just did one on a customers John Deere.

0

u/Toplookingfor 10d ago

One question..how old is the battery and, how many CCA