Ramanonos 17 #1 Posted October 22, 2015 You may have read my previous post convincing me to keep 2 wheelhorses... I'm going to! I acquired a "Workhorse" GT1848 for an attachment package for my C-125, but i decided to keep both and restore the GT. That said, I need help getting down to some basics. IThe GT has an 18HP B&S twin that was dead when bought but turned over with ignition. The old plugs were dirty and greasy. Flushed tank properly, sprayed carb and changed plugs as a first step and she fired up. Changed oil after. My 11yr old confirms the GT was very fast and awesome after an hour circling the field. --although the next day my mowing test showed lacked significant uphill power and stalled out several times and difficult to restart. Fast forward a week sitting. Now it doesn't start... Swapped battery and wires to be sure . Next, did a compression test. Not a single PSI in either cylinder. Huh? How did it possibly start before? Am I being dumb about the compression check? I simply pulled off a plug while other plug was in, full throttle on & choke off, 4-5 sec turn. With a car I'd pull the wire off between the distributor and coil and bank it off the block. But this tractor obviously doesn't have a disti. Just want to confirm my problem isn't operator error before embarking on either blown head gasket, valves, rings or all 3... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 616 #2 Posted October 22, 2015 It ran fine and then all of a sudden there is no compression from either cylinder? Now that is interesting.I would do a finger compression test next to see if I can feel anything.If none, i would probably remove the front head and see how the valves behave as I turn the motor over by hand.Then report back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,629 #3 Posted October 23, 2015 If you have zero compression the starter should spin it over extremely fast, is this the case? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,645 #4 Posted October 23, 2015 drop a capful of oil in the cylinders and retest? doesn't sound like rings can go that quick, but it is a quick and easy test.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #5 Posted October 23, 2015 Maybe stuck valves??? Had the same thing happen in an old engine that sat for years.Ran fine,let it set a few days,zero compression.The great gas we buy today somehow coated the intake valve stems with a gooey crap and the valve springs weren't enough to close them.I had to pull the intake valves and clean the stems on a wire brush wheel and clean the valve guides with carb cleaner.Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #6 Posted October 23, 2015 Stuck valves is my first guess as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marv 845 #7 Posted October 24, 2015 Agree on the stuck valves.Marvin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
