Craftsman Lawn Mower Won't Start. Can We Fix It!

Free Craftsman YTS 3000 riding lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine won't start. Can we figure out what's wrong with it?

[@icedad9]

Magneto/magnets will need attention. They are easy to replace. Great work and video getting that old gal going. Just worked on one to use as a softball field dragging tractor. Enjoyed it greatly.

[@GaryAhl]

Thank you for the kind comment I appreciate it.

[@twisterdude100]

Nice job! Would love to see that old snapper in the background running!

[@GaryAhl]

Someday I would like to do a full restoration on the Snapper riding mower. I think they are pretty neat machines. Thanks for the kind words!

[@PaulHira]

People never give nothing for nothing in NZ you guys are so lucky in the states

[@GaryAhl]

It’s not that common here in the states anymore.

[@johnnytuttleii3242]

If you look at the u.s. as the haves and the have nots and you cam tell the difference by the wasteful spending and lack of effort they put into fixing things or just buying new. Every spring the curbs are loaded with big flat screens that still work but one house got a new one so everyone got a new one. And people are getting lawn service so mowers aren't needed as much. It's funny they will give some things away but sometimes they'd rather push it off a cliff rather then let someone else have it.

[@chipmeister111]

Thanks for this. I've got the yt4000 and I've learned a thing or 2 from your video.

[@GaryAhl]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@MrCountrycuz]

adding 1 ounce of two stroke oil per 5 gallons of gasoline will keep these platinum engines running forever and they will not use any oil. I have a YT3000 that runs like its been charmed since 2018. I bought the machine used for 200.00

[@GaryAhl]

We used to add 2 stroke oil to the gas in our demolition derby cars back in the day. Certainly can’t hurt the mower when mixed properly .

[@TheRealWilsonn]

I have a very similar mower that just took a dump. It sounded like i hit something and sheared the flywheel key. The engine died right away, although i couldnt locate anything i might have run over, maybe a rock, but its seemed pretty low in the ground. Anyways, I replaced the sheared key and it still won't start. Could it be a crankshaft issue like yours if the engine is freely turning over with the spark plug in place? I have fire, and im pretty sure i have fuel. There is an air leak sound coming from the oil canister, and i have yet to check compression.

[@GaryAhl]

I suppose if the decompression mechanism fails and falls into the gears it could jams and cause the engine to stop. However, if your engine turns over freely, I doubt that's the problem. If the engine seems to spin over faster than it normally does, than you may have a broken camshaft gear. Unfortunately, you may have to pull the sump case off to find the problem.

[@timr31908]

I know what the problem is.. it's a GMC. ... I mean a MTD

[@GaryAhl]

Lol

[@PapaMav]

I luv Jersey ! Graduated college from there.

[@GaryAhl]

What part of Jersey ?

[@PapaMav]

@@GaryAhl Drew University in Madison. You sound like a South Jersey guy.

[@GaryAhl]

@@PapaMav Yep, South Jersey surrounded by farmland.

[@PapaMav]

Spotted a Taryl mug !

[@GaryAhl]

I do enjoy watching Taryl. Thank you for the comment.

[@PapaMav]

@@GaryAhl me too. Thank you.

[@johnnytuttleii3242]

Mine had the exhaust popping back up thru the intake plastic pipe. I adjusted valves and runs fine. Well its being dropped in a stiga park president. Motor up from 12.5 to this 21. By brain cant follow wire looms so i squealed like a lil girl when i saw the key switches are the same. I just swapped ignitions and hooked up the stiga loom. Then the party was over again because of the clips on the motor are different. So no i have to figure out where to plug the magneto wire, the fuel solenoid wire, the kill switch wire and i need to add a pto switch. Im at the head scratching stage now.

[@GaryAhl]

It doesn’t always go as planned but there’s nothing more satisfying than working through it and getting it running.

[@charleshill3789]

Nice work getting it back going

[@GaryAhl]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words!

[@philliphall5198]

Low voltage??? Check valve lash before replacing camshaft

[@philliphall5198]

I think I would superglue the cracks in the magnets and see if it helps

[@GaryAhl]

I’ll keep your suggestion in mind for the next time I come across broken magnets. Thanks

[@Darjan_Spasojevic]

How does the lawnmower charge the battery without a generator?

[@GaryAhl]

Not very well.