D130 will not start, tried every bit of advice already- Help needed -Hero opportunity

whizdbiz2 · Sep 23, 2015

ZaqAttack said:
Thanks for your information..it was very thorough and informative..The tractor is up and running, I did have to go back and replace the head gasket,so one pushrod and one head gasket and a lot of cleaning... Now full to the top with premium gas and she is running like new...thanx

Are you quite sure that the valve guides are in place and will stay there? I had the bent exhaust push rod problem on my B&S twin. I replaced several rods (about $6 ea.) before I saw a post about the valve guide issue on a small engine forum. You had to look real close to see it, you might want to try to move it if this happens again (and I hope it doesn't) and stake it in if it does move. I just used a small cold chisel to do that. It's been running fine for several years since. Sure had me going crazy for awhile. I also had an issue with the starter gear breaking, the starter was slightly misaligned to the ring gear, a few wacks with a hammer cured that (the mounting bracket was just stamped metal).

ZaqAttack · Sep 23, 2015

I di bare eye the valve guides as a comparison(did not use calibers)and they appeared identical in each cylinder and I suspected they had not moved. Reviewing the incident - the tractor was sitting for a week at least before the no start, and on the first attempt had a huge backfire, and I am of the belief that the gas varnished things up so tight, that the pushrod broke on that first attempt - so thought is that the valve guide and valve never moved at all.. so far it is running very well with the premium gas - but I am listening very acutely for any odd sounds - my mind can imagine sounds at this point.
If I do get another pushrod bend then I will check again as to value movement - and then may take your cure into consideration, since it worked well for you - otherwise I can always go for the new head..
thanks for you ideas

JRobyn · Sep 24, 2015

You KNOW that as long as you are over-zealously watching it for any subsequent problems, it will perform perfectly. Let down your guard just a little bit and get comfortable with it and BAM!!

At least that's how it usually goes with me.

- Jay