Engine help please , hope this is ok to post ?? Just totally lost

[wiggy]

Hi guys
I just bought a 2nd hand MTD Sprinto garden Ride on mower , needed a starter , now fixed but can’t get it to run or even fire even with fuel in the plug hole , checked and the safety switches all seem to be ok , carb cleaned , fresh petrol, was getting a weak spark now none, no readying with multi meter on coil and lead , could a safety switch stop the readying ?
Sorry hope this is ok to post just been messing with this for Days now and totally lost .
Stay safe in these hard times 👌
Thanks Richie

[racerone3]

there should be a black wire coming out from under the flywheel shroud. it will connect to a terminal somewhere on the block. remove the wire from this terminal... you will need a 5/16 nut driver for the nut on the terminal. once removed, keep it at least an inch from any bare metal and see if you have spark... let me know what you find

[wiggy]

Hi
Thanks for reply
I have two small wire both black plus hot lead , one come from middle of the coil ( spade connector )and the other comes from anther type of coil ( copper wire ) that is also fitted on the same coil mounting ( wired into it unable to remove)

[wiggy]

Taken the black wire from middle of the coil and have a spark now, but not tried to start it yet

[wiggy]

Reconnected the black wire and still have a good spark , still will not fire up , even with a bit of petrol in the plug hole, and then I get a bit of white smoke from the exhaust and coming out of the air filter under pressure ����

[racerone3]

next check that the flywheel key is in good shape. if you remove the flywheel nut you should be able to see if the key slot and crank are lined up

[wiggy]

Thanks just checked how tight the head bolts are and was not that tight , oil coming from the top gasket , when you remove the oil dip stick it’s like a steam train same coming out of the air filter

[wiggy]

Is that the head gasket blown??

[racerone3]

does it have compression? if so it isn't head gasket. Did you check the flywheel key? if it is sheared and the flywheel is not aligned you will have spark but at the wrong time. you may get some ignition of the air fuel mix but will have a lot of blow-by causing the "steam" effect. it can also cause major backfires through the carb and potentially actual fires

[wiggy]

Hi
Yes key was ok

[racerone3]

$ stroke engine needs
Air
Fuel
Spark ( at the proper time)
Compression

Air is a given. fuel is a given if you dump it straight in the carb. Spark timing is correct if the key is good. That only leaves compression. causes of bad compression are head gasket, worn valve seats, stuck open valve (chunk of carbon in the seat is one possible cause). Do a compression test. you can also put compressed air in the spark plug hole and see where you hear it coming out ( carb, exhaust, dipstick tube, other...). Only other things I can think of is cam to crank timing is off. someone would have had to take it apart to screw that up, or a intake valve not opening (worn Tappet, or bent pushrod. Is this a flathead or OHV engine?

[wiggy]

Thanks ��