Well as it turn out it was the ignition control module. I replaced that and the rotor at the same time. Put her all back together again and presto it now runs like new as it should with all the other new parts. Well now its good for another 25+ years. Thanks to all the advice. It all helped Dick

garydewater: That's about 1/2 the price as a new one and 135 hours is about 3 years of average homeowner use (about 40 - 50 hours/year). If it is in good condition and not been abused it sounds like a pretty good deal. You did not mention what year model it is. I have an acre and 1/4 myself and usually rack up about 40 - 50 hours/year depending on what projects I'm working on. I mow, dethatch, aerate, overseed, pull a cart loaded with rocks, firewood, etc... and mulch my leaves in the fall pulling a lawn sweeper to collect them. You can usually save a bunch of $$$ buying a good used quality tractor. Just make sure it has been well taken care of by the previous owner. If it looks rough it probably is rough. An engine coated in oil, grass clippings, etc..., faded paint, cracked seat and weathered plastic components typically indicate that it was left outside in the elements and not well cared for. Good luck!

The long and the short of it is that what you have is "highly collectable" and that's why your friend got his stolen. What's at issue here is the age of the pedal tractor, the model of it, the maker (ERTL???), how rare it is to come across the one you have and the condition of it. In other words, all the things that apply to a collectable, old garden tractor also apply to your pedal tractor. The best way to test the market is to gently clean it up. DO NOT alter it, paint it or change a thing on it. You will diminish the value by doing so. It is what it is. Put it up for sale on e-Bay in a 10 day auction to give it the widest exposure. Offer it for sale with an opening bid of $9.99 with no reserve. Don't worry.... it won't stay at ten bucks for very long and the real action will happen in the final minute of the sale anyway. I saw a 30 series Case pedal tractor in well-worn condition bring around $500.00 on e-Bay not so long ago. Would that be enough money for you? Yours might bring less but it might bring more.

I'm not familar with that kolher engine, But, here what I would check if the engine cranks over fast enough to start. First I would see as suggested if it getting fire to the plug or plugs when it won't start. Next I would use carb. cleaner down the carb. venturi if it's getting fire and if it cranks over fast enough to start (carb. cleaner is way more safer than gas IMO and you get a side benifit it cleans the carb some)(IMO dumping raw gas down a side mounted carb a fire hazzard especially right over a hot muffler not to mention a back fire). I would also check the cooling air venting under the cowling and I would also remove the cooling shrouds around the engine and check the cooling fins on the block. With everything clean and getting proper cooling air you should be able to determine if it is a spark problem or fuel delivery problem. still the same problem I would remove the head or heads and see what's going on inside the combustion chamber. I would look for carbon build up, burnt valves and piston slap.