I have a 6 y.o. Troybilt riding mower with a 19 hp B&S engine. When I
try to start it, it wouldn't start but was able to jump start.
However, it runs very rough with lots of smoke for a few seconds and
then stops. I can repeat the same thing again.

It seemed fine the last time I used it a week ago. I do change oil
(synthetic) and filter at end of every season, and I have only 1/2
acre to cut once a week. What could be the problem? Is the engine
blown? I never changed the spark plug but it doesn't look like a spark
plug problem does it?

panabiker wrote the following:
I have a 6 y.o. Troybilt riding mower with a 19 hp B&S engine. When I
try to start it, it wouldn't start but was able to jump start.
However, it runs very rough with lots of smoke for a few seconds and
then stops. I can repeat the same thing again.

It seemed fine the last time I used it a week ago. I do change oil
(synthetic) and filter at end of every season, and I have only 1/2
acre to cut once a week. What could be the problem? Is the engine
blown? I never changed the spark plug but it doesn't look like a spark
plug problem does it?

It has a combination alternator/starter. Sounds like the alternator part
has gone bad and the battery is not getting a charge. You can jump start
it, but won't stay running because the battery is not charged. You can
put a charger on the battery and that might help it keep running until
the battery gores dead again, but you'll have to change the
alternator/starter part.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:51:56 -0700 (PDT), panabiker
wrote:

I have a 6 y.o. Troybilt riding mower with a 19 hp B&S engine. When I
try to start it, it wouldn't start but was able to jump start.
However, it runs very rough with lots of smoke for a few seconds and
then stops. I can repeat the same thing again.

It seemed fine the last time I used it a week ago. I do change oil
(synthetic) and filter at end of every season, and I have only 1/2
acre to cut once a week. What could be the problem? Is the engine
blown? I never changed the spark plug but it doesn't look like a spark
plug problem does it?

What color is the smoke?

See:

http://www.repairfaq.org/samnew/lmfaq/lmsmoke.htm