Will this Craftsman ZTS7500 need an engine swap? | Garage Story

[@bigsonslawncare]

The infamous Courage crack 😮

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Just got a great idea from you, buddy! I recently purchased a couple of small inspection lights, hoping that one would do what I need. The larger one has worked really well so the really small one with the swivel clip has been sitting on my bench with no job to do up until today. Just saw you wearing your hat with the penlight on it and it finally came together! Ran downstairs to my shop with a had and clipped on the light and BOOM - there was light, right where I was looking! This is a total game changer for me, so thanks a lot! 🙏🔧👍

[@garagestory]

I’m glad I was able to give you an idea! I use my flashlight on my hat a lot.

[@ljmproductions1]

Love the video! So cool to see the o.g. zero turn with the infamous tire drop 😂 from the first video

[@garagestory]

Yes, that was a fun beginning!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Well THAT’S a bummer! Sorry about that cracked block, dude. All I can say is what I already mentioned earlier today - close visual inspection first will allow you to pick up on issues ahead of time. Most of the time I wash down machines first for this reason - nothing is hidden under oil or dirt so it’s easier to spot problems right off the bat.

[@garagestory]

Either I missed the crack, or it was as very small before I ran the engine. I’m not sure. I thought I had inspected it, but sometimes you learn by doing - the crack wasn’t really where I expected an issue.

[@robertmailhos8159]

It's real fun trying to move a ztr mower especially when the engine is not running garage story

[@garagestory]

Yes, they are a bit of a pain!

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@garagestory I've been there did that on the snapper z t.r we had at the place where I use to work I would have to show how to unlock the hydro drive system so it could be towed

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

At 7:26 I had to pause and leave this comment because you were driving me crazy!! 😉 The owner told you he thought it was a valve issue. You saw the valve cover bolts were loose! Since the engine had a difficult time turning over but everything else seemed okay I would immediately have assumed the valve clearances were way too big and checked that. I think you consider engine swapping so much only because you have so many, but this seems to end up causing a lot more work instead of really diagnosing issues correctly.

[@garagestory]

I thought the difficult time turning over was not enough power to the starter, because that’s what it sounds like… but hind sight is 20/20 as they say, looking back maybe that was obviously the wrong conclusion.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@garagestory Yeah. I’d like to help if I can. Towards that end I can share one thing which has helped me the most in the past 3 years since I’ve been learning small engine work. KZbin!!! I’ve logged well over 5K hours in that time - most of it on diagnostics. If you dedicate a set number of hours to it every day and AND watch the right channels, you’ll be much more successful with diagnostics and end up saving a whole lot of time in the end. I’m subscribed to maybe 50 channels and get notifications to close to 20 and manage to watch all those videos every week except when I’m really stumped and have to start searching hard to find answers. For any given topic I probably watch 6-12 different videos so I get enough opinions and technique to be able to address an issue reasonably well. I bookmark every video which teaches me something and file them in a very organized way so I can refresh my memory pretty easily about something.

[@IsaacSchuler]

no better feeling then when you come back around to working on a project you picked up awhile back. ive had mixed luck with the kohler courage engines.

[@johnsmith-wd5sq]

You should build something like a Push bumper that you can hook over the front of the John Deere to push the broken machines around!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Raley’s Small Engine channel always advises close visual inspection first. In your case you should take this to heart.

[@Andy-nm9dw]

This style starters are prone to poor ground contact. Remove the mounting bolts and wire wheel. I believe that is why you’re having starter issues.

[@Dieselcustoms-b1z]

You should see if you have a john deere x300 in your yard or hunt down one mine has 789.83 hours and they last a lifetime with well maintenance

[@garagestory]

I had an X320 that I fixed up and sold last year. Very nice machine!

[@Dieselcustoms-b1z]

@garagestory yeah I know there bullet proof

[@keegancplays5782]

I wish I could have one of ur zero turn mowers

[@brianeastman3547]

I recommend using non ethanol pump gas from SUNOCO

[@garagestory]

I do use non ethanol gas, but not from SUNOCO

[@brianeastman3547]

It's probably your starter silinoid

[@jaysanchez7577]

Just put some jb weld on it and it will be okay 😅

[@fightdhr8866]

Don't lube ya starter..Ask me how I no..I had to break out the air line and blow it all out...😊

[@garagestory]

Yes, on the Briggs and Stratton engines it doesn’t seem to be a problem, but on this one it was…

[@zanderraymond7570]

I know how the brigs starts work thares a spiral piece on it but that starter looks badly designed

[@garagestory]

I agree! I’m used to the Briggs starters with the bend-ex or whatever you call it.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

What is your name?