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engines,although usually its overhead valves out of adjustment
instead of starter problems.
Especially on briggs engines.Kohler usually if it seems to be the
starter then most of the time ,it is the starter.
Most briggs and tecumseh starters have brass bushings at the
top the armature that wear and cause starter windings to drag
against magnets, thus causing a dragging starter so to speak.
First before deciding you have a bad starter,check to see if
battery is fully charged,if so and starter still turns slow,take the
spark plug out and spin the engine, if it spins fast and starter
does not get hot to touch,then its possible the valves need
adjustment if overhead valves are on your engine.SEE
OVERHEAD VALVE ADJUSTMENT IN ARCHIVE SECTION.
However if its a kohler, kawasaki, honda or an engine other than
briggs or tecumseh, most likely it will be a bad starter.
Some starters will collect heat from the engine as the engine
runs, they will crank fine cold and when engine builds up heat
and you stop engine and then try to restart, they will drag.A
simple way to check this is to take a common water hose and wet
starter until its cool to the touch and then try to start engine, if it
starts you have a bad starter or at least bad brushes inside
starter.This test eliminates a bad battery or questionable
charging system.
If starter fails to turn when you turn key,look for discharged
battery, blown fuse between switch or a possible bad safety
switch or solonoid.
Usually a bad bushing or brushes fail in most small engine
starters.Rebuild kits for the various starters can be
purchased,but usually its a special order part from most local
parts dealers, since they would rather sell a new starter, which is
faster and easier to install, but more costly.
For more on safety switches and checking safety
switches,solonoids see troubleshooting guide.