Hi everyone, new to the forum. Looking for some advice on a 1975 David Brown 885 that I bought about a year ago. It was pretty well maintained by previous owners. Last night I went to mow my pasture and it wouldn't start. Usually it starts after 2-3 tries, very reliably. First try I do no choke, and it did try to turn over. Went for try #2 and ready to add choke. Nothing - totally dead except for a click. Light on the dash does come on. I tested battery and it read 12.75. I don't feel like it's the battery.
I am not a mechanic. I did a little googling on engines not starting. Possibly a solenoid? Or a starter? Is there any way to tell before I start ordering parts? ( Installing them will be another issue.. ) Looks like a solenoid isn't very expensive, but the starter is more. I have an I&T manual but it isn't very helpful to a non-mechanic. And the owner manual doesn't cover this.
Last couple times I used it I felt like it had less power. Would a bad spark plug make it not start suddenly like that? Previous owner told me it would tend to burn out the plug nearest the gas tank faster than the other two. He had tried a different type of plug on that one to see if it did better. I tried to follow wires and it looks like plugs may be up under hood on top of engine? I wasn't able to get the hood off, think I need another pair of hands since it has to be lifted straight up.
Any advice appreciated! My pasture really needs to be mowed, ugh.
I am not a mechanic. I did a little googling on engines not starting. Possibly a solenoid? Or a starter? Is there any way to tell before I start ordering parts? ( Installing them will be another issue.. ) Looks like a solenoid isn't very expensive, but the starter is more. I have an I&T manual but it isn't very helpful to a non-mechanic. And the owner manual doesn't cover this.
Last couple times I used it I felt like it had less power. Would a bad spark plug make it not start suddenly like that? Previous owner told me it would tend to burn out the plug nearest the gas tank faster than the other two. He had tried a different type of plug on that one to see if it did better. I tried to follow wires and it looks like plugs may be up under hood on top of engine? I wasn't able to get the hood off, think I need another pair of hands since it has to be lifted straight up.
Any advice appreciated! My pasture really needs to be mowed, ugh.