Briggs and stratton woes

[Mickwhitt 4,638]

Hi all, been so busy over herewith multiple projects on the go. Had solar panels installed on the roof amongst other things.

 

I got a countax rude on mower to look over as it wouldn't start or run.

 

Single cylinder B&S powerbuilt engine.

 

Virtually no oil in it but the guy said he had topped it up only yesterday. 

 

Took off the valve cover and the problem was revealed.  The aluminium push rods were bent. 

 

Could this have been the result of low oil level? The rocker adjusters are locked onto the studs with a grub screw into the central threaded hole, these were slack as you like so could that have caused the issue?  Its been running fine for a good while before the sudden failure. But I do suspect a lack of oil. 

 

I straightened the rods, rebuilt it and set the valve clearance and it now runs fine.

 

Is the engine scrap? Or living on borrowed time, or just keep on running it till it goes pop. 

 

Mick 

 

 

[lynnmor 7,307]

Some of those OHV Briggs engines would blow head gaskets because of the considerable distance between head bolts next to the pushrod opening.  With a blown head gasket they will use a lot of oil and smoke considerably.

[Handy Don 12,233]

Well, I can only point out that aluminum (or al-u-min-i-um) does not like being bent and it has a high coefficient of expansion.

 

If the rods expanded from the heat of low-oil-friction, then they likely left part of themselves on the guides when they "stuck". The location of the bend in each rod is now of a different strength than the rest of the rod and may have a different diameter, and the rods may have slightly lengthened overall, too.

 

Resetting the clearance took care of the lengthening. Using oil with the right additives will help postpone the friction. 

 

My guess is it was low oil that caused the issue and unless run hard or with low oil, you'll do ok with it.

Edited September 28, 2022 by Handy Don

[squonk 41,141]

Pushrod abd head gaskets  issues a common thing on OHV Briggs & Scrap Irons

[kpinnc 12,080]

I would replace the pushrods. If they bent, they are gonna bend again.

 

I agree with lynnmor- head gaskets are the weak spot in OHV Briggs engines. When they blow out, it's not uncommon to blow all the seals because of the blowby getting into the sump. 

[Wild Bill 633 846]

The new B&S engines are designed to be disposable. They come with plastic lobes on the camshaft and sealed crankcases. The crankcases come filled with synthetic oil and never needs to be changed. Needless to say, that is why I have 14 of the old B&S cast iron single cylinder engines along with the parts to rebuild every one of them stored under my basement stairs.

[kpinnc 12,080]

1 hour ago, Wild Bill 633 said:

The new B&S engines are designed to be disposable.

 

On some of the versions, I would agree. Commercial level engines however are very good, and rebuildable to boot.

 

FWIW- New Kohler engines use plastic gears and cams as well. It's across the board unfortunately. Sad to say, but many foreign-built engines now are constructed with more steel than domestic products. Consumer grade being disposable might be more accurate.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

1 hour ago, Wild Bill 633 said:

new B&S engines are designed to be disposable.

 

Taryl calls them

 

" BREAKS & SCRAP'EM "

 

[Mickwhitt 4,638]

Well it's running for niw but if the owner neglects it again it won't last long. For a guy who earns his living with these machines he really doesn't appreciate that they need looking after. I'm not talking polishing them after work, just a wioe down and lubricate would be a start. 

I think the equestrian saying would be appropriate here  .... ridden hard and put away wet. 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

28 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said:

the owner neglects it

 

My new next door neighbor was GIVEN a commercial ZT mower by a friend of his.

 

I can not believe that he won't walk around the property and pick up the branches... some 4" thick!  that are laying all around after he removed a bunch of the trees.  He simply runs them over, again, and again, and again, and again... sometimes they actually STALL THE MACHINE OUT!  The guy is a total friggin ID10T !  

 

I wonder if he would try to cut his grass with a chipper / shredder ?  Or maybe he doesn't even know the difference ?

 

I mean... can he really be THAT stupid?

 

 

[lynnmor 7,307]

1 hour ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

I mean... can he really be THAT stupid?

 

Typical throwaway mentality, they always have programs to back them up after they destroy all of their wealth.

[Dakota8338 115]

On 9/29/2022 at 10:05 AM, Jeff-C175 said:

 

Taryl calls them

 

" BREAKS & SCRAP'EM "

 

I hate B & S with a passion.  I have never seen but one that I felt lasted anywhere near a normal life, and for the life of me, I do not understand how the factory let that one escape!

[Wheelhorse#1 1,666]

13 hours ago, Dakota8338 said:

I hate B & S with a passion.  I have never seen but one that I felt lasted anywhere near a normal life, and for the life of me, I do not understand how the factory let that one escape!

 

I like the older model engines, some are decent actually. 

Edited October 2, 2022 by Wheelhorse#1

[Handy Don 12,233]

14 hours ago, Dakota8338 said:

I hate B & S with a passion.  I have never seen but one that I felt lasted anywhere near a normal life, and for the life of me, I do not understand how the factory let that one escape!

These are, to me, like most products. Understand the strengths and weaknesses and don't ask more of them than they are designed to deliver. I take care of five older B&S engines (both horizontal and vertical) and am getting good service from all of them with just routine maintenance. Regular oil changes, clean air passages, clean and lubed linkages, clean fuel, clean air filters.