The $50 "Bender" style GT16 with varidrive I got started at the auction but cranked slowly. The engine ran great, no smoke or noises, but barely turned fast enough to start.
Figured it was the battery for that price, but switching in my newest battery from my Toro 0 turn didn't help, niether did another known good battery. So I figured its the wires. Added a new ground cable from the battery to the block, still no change. Jumped the starter directly to the battery, still slow cranking. I'm talking rer....rer....rer half a turn at a time very slowly. Cranks ok by hand a little at a time and cranks ok with the plug removed. Belt is off pulley. I remove starter, clean brushes, lube bearings, no change.
So I buy a used starter off Ebay, put it on, and it still cranks the same.
I have about given up. Hate to part a good running engine, but if I won't crank it's not doing me any good. It seems to have about 100lbs compression. Hard to check it when it won't turn over but half a turn at a time.
It isn't the ignition since it isn't even hooked up right now, and if it was a sheared crank key, it wouldn't have run so perfectly when it did run. I'm thinking repower unless anyone has any other ideas?