Will Crank, But Will Not Start... 417A with a 17 HP Kohler Engine

[the jeep driver 29]

Hello.   My 1985 Wheel Horse 417A with a 17 HP Kohler Engine will turn over, but will not start.  It looks to be getting fuel, I can see gas in the carb...   I did try starting fluid, no start.  I changed the spark plugs, as the old ones were due anyway, and used an inline spark tester to verify spark.  I don't know what to test next.  Any help is appreciated!  

[ri702bill 12,767]

Fuel, air, spark, & compression. Ya need all four to rave it run.  The spark - is it a strong blue-white color or pale yellow? Is the timing correct ? - right spark at the wrong time in the cycle equals a no run condition.

Edited 17 hours ago by ri702bill

[953 nut 68,377]

This manual should be helpful.

 

[the jeep driver 29]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

 The spark - is it a strong blue-white color or plae yellow? Is the timing correct ?

The spark is blue/white, I don't know about the timing. 

 

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

This manual should be helpful.

 

Thank you.

[Ed Kennell 46,885]

9 hours ago, the jeep driver said:

The spark is blue/white

 

14 hours ago, the jeep driver said:

I can see gas in the carb.

That leaves air and compression.         Has the tractor been sitting for a long time?    Do you have compression?    Possible stuck valves.

[peter lena 10,000]

@the jeep driver  how does the carb throttle plate , easily fit / sit  in its  closed position ? done a lot of  that  detailing , made for instant  starts , now regular on my 3 horses . pete

[the jeep driver 29]

6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

 

That leaves air and compression.         Has the tractor been sitting for a long time?    Do you have compression?    Possible stuck valves.

No, the tractor was last used 8/22 or 8/23 and it ran fine.  The only difference between that mowing and prior was that I had to mow in the rain for about 20 minutes.  I parked it in the garage, and didn't clean it off as normal... I usually blow all the debris off when finished.  When I wanted to mow on 8/30 it wouldn't start and after messing with it for a while, I borrowed my neighbors mower.  
I do not have a manometer for compression testing... I did see on how to make on in the manual 953 posted, haven't had time to make it... I may see if anyone I know has one.  

[oliver2-44 11,678]

Most auto supplies loan out compression gauges.

They require a deposit but refund it when you return the gauge. 

I'm not that familiar with the Kohler twins, so I checked and best I can tell the Kohler twins DO NOT have a compression release like the single cylinders.

So you should be able to get a good compression reading. 

[Ed Kennell 46,885]

5 hours ago, the jeep driver said:

No, the tractor was last used 8/22 or 8/23 and it ran fine.  The only difference between that mowing and prior was that I had to mow in the rain for about 20 minutes.  I parked it in the garage, and didn't clean it off as normal... I usually blow all the debris off when finished.  When I wanted to mow on 8/30 it wouldn't start and after messing with it for a while, I borrowed my neighbors mower.  
I do not have a manometer for compression testing... I did see on how to make on in the manual 953 posted, haven't had time to make it... I may see if anyone I know has one.  

I know you said you have a good strong spark, but it surely smells of an electrical problem.   Could the spark plug wires be old and wet enough that they are shorting before the spark gets to the plugs?       Remove the air cleaner and try cranking it in the dark while you look for fire in the plug wires.

Edited 1 hour ago by Ed Kennell