^yup clean the cables connections or re crimp the ends or even replace all the cables if need be... also check your ground at the frame..

If not that it can be the small solenoid prolly located under your seat bolted to the frame.. follow the power wire until you find it...

Other than this older briggs are really bad about throwing valves out of time. The factory specs and feller gages will let you know that quick

Sticking valve maybe if every one elses suggestions don't work. Had a similar problem with the generator after it had old, bad fuel and sitting to long, one valve was stuck when I got it from the seller. Runs like a top now.

If the engine turns over with the spark plug removed, this would indicate all valves are free, except perhaps with one stuck in the open position. I suspect what you guys are referring to is a valve stuck in the closed position that's keeping the crankshaft from turning, thereby freezing the starter. IMO, this is far more likely to occur on a cold engine that's been setting idle for a long period of time.

I have to agree with those who recommend checking the electrical connections first that would limit current to a hot starter.

As for a timing issue, my experience has always been that of shearing the pin on the flywheel after hitting something and throwing the flywheel out of time. I've learned that when this happens and you replace the pin and reinstall the flywheel, you better hammer torque the bolt if you want to keep from shearing the new pin as soon as you try to restart the engine.

Dan, the genset would run, even with the stuck valve, essentially ran like a single cylinder, rough and smoky (v twin style) According to the guys at smokestak .com, pretty common now with ethanol fuels and small engines left to sit. Compression test told me which side to open the head on.

All,

I am having issues with my riding mower. Originally, I could get it started but once it was killed the engine would flood and no longer turn over until the gas was drained and the spark plug removed.

I fixed that issue by rebuilding the carburetor and cleaning out the electric fuel solenoid. I also added a fuel cutoff so I could avoid issues if my solenoid got stuck again.

However, I still have the issue of the motor not turning over sometimes. If I removed the spark plug (which does not have gas in it) and then hit the starter it turns over fine. I can then put the plug back in and start it up with no issue. It is like the motor is hydro locked, but there is no fuel in it.

Any ideas?