I have a 16.5 hp Murry MOD 42a707 type 2653 e4 code 990220b5 and it was running fine then it started losing power. It acted like it was out of fuel and I pulled the choke and headed for the barn. Well I discovered a spark plug that was loose and I tighten it up. Thinking that sloved the problem I left it to finished later. Well later is now and I went out this evening and it started right up...BUT it was only running on 1 piston. black smoke was coming out of the exhaust due to it running rich, why the (sitting on the tractor) left spark plug boot was off. DUH! I put it back on, fired it up and it STILL was running on only one piston. I pulled the right boot while running and it died. I pulled the left and it kept running. The right side was warm and the left was cold. So I thought the left side was not getting fire. No it is getting fire TRUST ME...ouch! So, has fire...not running on both pistons...fuel problem. I pulled the air cleaner cover and it was covered in gas. I started the motor and as it would cycle through with the govenor fuel was spraying OUT of the carb and not being sucked in. SO should I pull a compression chech and see if I have dropped a piston or does anyone have any suggestions.

Thanks

Joe

A compression check wouldn't hurt.... just to see if its still moving or not.

is it the wire you were getting the shock from or did you check for spark by grounding the spark plug out on the head and sturning the motor over,, may need a new spark plug

I put the plug on the head and it had good spark. Thats why I am scratching my head.

I will try a compression check tonight and see whata happens.

I have good compression...i will try to change the plugs but i know they are firing because i held them by a ground.

Any suggestions?

I had a mower in that was running on one cylinder, the plug sparked ok outside, but it was the plug that was the problem.

I will get a new set and try! Thanks!

What brand plugs are you using jkpell.... also what brand plugs was the guy using in his kbalona?
Champion?

OF COURSE Bugman...Champions are the best!

Now for my humble voice...what would you recommend?

Anything BUT chamion..... Ngk or autolite....

I will give it a try...thanks

I tried the new plugs but still nothing....SO with nothing to loose I pulled the head. I see a little carbon build up up the exhaust valve and around the top of the piston and piston wall. I scratched of some of the carbon from the valve and off the head. I spun the flywheel and was watching the piston when I saw that the exhaust valve was NOT moving. A push on it and nothing. I then "tapped" it with my ratchet and I heard a small "pop". Now when I spin the flywheel it is moving like it should. I replaced the head and fired up the tractor. She was RUNNING! and now TICKING. Does anyone know if I can adjust the valves? Do I need some new valves?

Thanks!

Side valve? yeah by grinding the stems.... how bad is the tap sound?

Is this an overhead or L head engine? If an ohv, did you readjust the valves by the book specs? Either way, If the exhaust vale stuck and you did not clean the valve stem, it will probably stick again soon. That is because of carbon build up on the stem. You may want to try this easy way out, which worked for me on my 5hp tiller. If L head and the head removed, turn the engine over by hand until the exhaust valve rises enough that you can catch the vale head with pliers, then pull the valve until it is overextended and give it a good twisting motion. This will wipe off the carbon on the stem. If an ohv, then push on exhaust stem until the valve head can be caught with the pliers and while pulling slight more out than where the valve usually stops twist it also. It should then pop back in when you puul and release the valve. A short cut way out.