Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Mower wont start

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racefan
03-22-08, 11:42 AM
I have a Craftsman riding mower,It will not start.I checked & it's getting good spark & it's getting gas.It turns over but will not fire,I tried a small shot of starting fluid & it won't fire that way either.

j HOWARD
03-22-08, 01:23 PM
Did you take plug out & spray start fluid into hole-install new plug & try again?
racefan
03-22-08, 03:54 PM
No I have not.I will pick up a plug & try it.

puey61
03-23-08, 06:58 AM
Even if that does work you will need to address the problem. We can't help you well without ID numbers. Both the chassis and the engine will have their own numbers. Post back with all such numbers.
racefan
03-23-08, 12:33 PM
The mower is older than the hills. The only number I have is a model number. 917.257281 12 hp Briggs & Stratton
puey61
03-26-08, 08:28 PM
I would first take a compression test. It should be at least over 80 lbs. Then I would test the ignition strength with an inline tester...you may have spark but it may not be strong enough. We'll go further if need be but i don't think we'll need to. The Craftsman number provided no useful engine information but i see that it is a 12-horse flat head engine but, if needed to further diagnose and repair, look for the engine ID numbers on the flywheel shroud just above the spark plug and post back with these numbers.