Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Post back with the results. Also does it just spin slowly, or does it spin quick to a point and then "Hang up" like it's fighting the compression?
Picked-up Free Murray!
- Thread starter shortlid
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Tig
Veteran Member
Wow, two years later still with the slow start Murray. 
So am I. I did find a bit more information about these mowers and this problem. It may not be the starter. Pull the spark plugs and see how it turns over. If it spins well then you should search the forums for another thread on this subject. The gist of it is that as the valve wear the valve gap gets larger causing the valve to open very late on the compression stroke. This means higher compression when starting which will bog the starter. I do believe that this is the problem with my Murray, but being an L head B&S engine there is no adjustment. One of these days I may tear it down and see if I can help things out by lapping the valves so they will seat a bit deeper and close the gap on the stem somewhat.
So am I. I did find a bit more information about these mowers and this problem. It may not be the starter. Pull the spark plugs and see how it turns over. If it spins well then you should search the forums for another thread on this subject. The gist of it is that as the valve wear the valve gap gets larger causing the valve to open very late on the compression stroke. This means higher compression when starting which will bog the starter. I do believe that this is the problem with my Murray, but being an L head B&S engine there is no adjustment. One of these days I may tear it down and see if I can help things out by lapping the valves so they will seat a bit deeper and close the gap on the stem somewhat.
joes_427_vette
Veteran Member
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Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Here's a good thread about checking the valve clearances... http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/general-lawn-garden/123770-decompression-valve.html
If that's the problem, it's an easy fix.
Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Napa, Checker, Pep Boys, Carquest. It's all about the same.
zman007007
Platinum Member
Shortlid, the easiest way to see if it is the starter, is this way, It bypasses everything including any safety switches and switch, etc. You can use booster cables or a good battery charger. On the mower hook one positive cable to the post on the starter where your battery cable goes. Make sure you get the clamp on the nut on it and not on the threads of it. Make sure the cable is not touching anything else. Then all you have to do is touch the black cable from the booster cables or charger to a good ground on the engine. You do not want to use the hot cable for touching the post on your starter, because it may arc off and ruin the threads on your starter. If you can"t get a good grip with your cable on the starter, get a small pair of vise grips and clamp them on the nut on the starter, then clamp your red cable on them. Again make sure it touches nothing else. If your starter turns the engine fine like this, you will know the starter is good. If not then you need a new starter. The ground cable will arc off probably when you touch it to ground, so don"t ground it anywhere near the gas tank, or carb. Sounds like to me your starter is just dragging. You may be able to get it rebuilt by a starter or alternator shop. Good luck, zman Pete
