Learning to handle Briggs And Stratto small engine repairs properly can save you time and money. This expanded guide provides a more in-depth overview of Briggs & Stratton engine basics, troubleshooting techniques, maintenance tips, and DIY repair instructions.
Read on to become proficient at identifying engine parts, diagnosing issues, performing scheduled upkeep for peak performance, tackling common repairs, and sourcing replacement components. Equipped with this knowledge, you will keep your outdoor power equipment running efficiently for years.
Types of Briggs & Stratton Engines
Briggs & Stratton makes three main types of small engines, each designed and optimized for different outdoor equipment applications:
Vertical Shaft Engines
These single or twin-cylinder engines sit upright and have a vertical crankshaft designed specifically for mowers, lawn tractors, tillers, and other wheeled equipment that requires power delivered parallel to the ground. Standard sizes range from 20hp for riding lawnmowers to 3.5hp for standard push mowers. They are engineered to produce ample rotational energy to drive belt-connected cutting blades and drive wheels.
Horizontal Shaft Engines
Also referred to as “side valve” engines, these compact powerplants feature a horizontal crankshaft configuration suitable for generating pumping pressure in pressure washers, turning electrical generators, powering hydraulic pumps, and running various other stationary equipment with mounted drive shafts.
Intek & Professional Series
Briggs & Stratton distinguishes their advanced professional duty models as “Intek” and “Commercial Turf Series” among their vertical and horizontal shaft engines. These heavy-duty engine lines feature durable cast iron cylinder sleeves, a larger intake, exhaust valves for optimal flow, and specially shaped combustion chambers designed to allow more efficient fuel burning for up to 20% more rotational power.
Essential Parts of a Briggs And Stratton Small Engine
All modern Briggs & Stratton engines consist of the same essential components and systems working in concert:
- Fuel delivery system (carburetor, fuel filter) providing proper gasoline vapor flow
- Ignition system (spark plug, magneto) generating timed high voltage spikes
- Combustion chamber (cylinder head, valves) where gasoline vapors ignite and burn
- Crankcase (houses crankshaft, connecting rod, and bearings), which converts linear to rotational motion
- Lubrication system (oil sump, oil filter) evenly dispersing oil to prevent metal wear
- Cooling and air intake system (recoil starter, fan blades) regulating operating temperature
Familiarity with each subsystem’s function and maintenance needs is crucial in diagnosing and preventing issues through proper upkeep.
Air Filter Maintenance
The air filter guards against abrasive particulate ingestion into the engine’s delicate internal components. Over time, accumulated dust and debris can clog the air filter element, restricting airflow into the carburetor. This results in an overly rich fuel mixture, which causes performance loss, including uneven running, sputtering, power loss, and black smoke emitting from the exhaust.
Cleaning or replacing air filters every 25 hours of equipment operation helps maintain adequate airflow. Service involves removing debris from the old filter or using compressed air to blow out particulates. Also, apply a few drops of new engine oil on the clean element before reattaching it to improve moisture resistance and filter excellent dust.
Changing Spark Plugs
The high voltage spark generated by the ignition system initiates power-generating combustion by arcing across a precisely calibrated spark plug gap. You should replace your Briggs & Stratton spark plug as scheduled every 100 hours of engine use. Over time, normal combustion byproducts accumulate on the spark plug electrodes embedded deep in the combustion chamber. This insulating residue prevents reliable sparking, leading to hard starting and rough running symptoms.
Replacement involves using a proper spark plug socket wrench to remove the old, fouled plugs. Then, each new plug’s gap is set to the engine’s specifications, usually around 0.030 inches for small engines, checking with a wire feeler gauge before reinstalling it into the cylinder head.
Oil Changes
Clean oil is essential for adequately lubricating internal moving parts in not just Briggs And Stratton machines but all small engines. But gasoline byproducts inevitably mix with oil after prolonged use, forming sticky residues and corrosive compounds rather than slicking metal surfaces. That is why DIY oil changes every 50 hours of run time to help remove contaminants before oil oxidizes and turns thick and black with age.
The drain plug location differs between engine models but is often accessible at the base of the crankcase. After warming up the engine:
- Shut it off and carefully drain used oil into a catch pan through the dipstick tube or dedicated drain outlet before refilling the recommended capacity with fresh oil of the proper viscosity.
- Replace oil filters if equipped at this interval; prime new filters with oil beforehand.
- Always dispose of old DIY oil properly at approved recycling centers.
Troubleshooting Common Briggs And Stratton Small Engine Problems
Instead of immediately paying a small engine technician when equipment fails to start or runs poorly, there are several do-it-yourself troubleshooting steps you can perform to identify and resolve basic issues yourself:
Engine Won’t Start Troubleshooting
First, confirm the fuel tank contains fresh gasoline at the proper fill level. Inspect the fuel petcock valve for blockages before tracing the fuel delivery line to check for crimps or cracks that could cause vapors to leak out. Verify fuel is reaching the carburetor by detaching the line to observe the flow.
If fuel delivery is adequate, examine the spark plug next. Remove it and check for fouling deposits or improper gap spacing, which require replacement plugs. Reattach the plug securely and test for the presence of an electric spark by grounding the plug tip while pulling the recoil cord. No spark indicates issues with the magneto system wires or failed ignition armature coils.
As a further test, spray starting fluid into the air filter intake while attempting electric starting. This helps bypass fuel delivery problems to check whether ignition failure is the root cause. If the engine combusts briefly off the starting fluid before stalling again, focus troubleshooting on fuel starvation rather than spark issues.
Loss of Power Diagnosis
Engines that start quickly but then lag or bog down under load demand may have one of several underlying issues impeding peak performance:
- Dirty or improperly serviced air filter leads to insufficient airflow and overly rich fuel mixture
- The failing spark plug no longer fires correctly inside the cylinder
- Thick, oxidized engine oil from delayed oil changes increases mechanical drag
- Sticky valve deposits in the combustion chamber prevent proper exhaust flow
Methodically tackle essential maintenance items like air filters, spark plugs, and oil changes before investigating potential parts replacements involving the carburetor or valves. Confirm fixes restored full RPM range before addressing other lingering issues.
Overheating Failure Modes
Aside from insufficient or contaminated lubrication oil, another primary cause of catastrophic overheating in small engines is restricted airflow through the critical cooling system components.
Excessive debris, dirt, and grass clippings can accumulate on external metal cooling fins, engine blower housings, or the internal flywheel fan blades, which all typically dissipate heat via forced air convection. Carefully inspect and remove built-up debris with compressed air or low-pressure water. Also, check cooling fan blades for any visible damage, like missing chunks or bent fins, which prevent hot airflow ejection.
If overheating damage is severe enough to warp the cylinder head or melt internal parts, extensive engine disassembly and professional machining work may be required.
Diagnosing Unusual Engine Noises
Intermittent tapping noises indicate overly tight or bent valves that are no longer sealing properly against the combustion chamber. This exhaust leak allows hot gases to blow through valve seats continuously. Confirm suspicions through a cylinder leak-down test before reseating valves by manually regrinding rough edges or hard carbon deposits on the valve stem end.
Knocking or rattling noises that change with engine RPM usually signify low oil levels or wear inside the crankcase bearings, spinning the connecting rod. Top off oil immediately if low while tearing down the engine further to inspect bearing raceways for damage.
Loud grinding noises accompanied by shaking are the most serious, indicating catastrophic engine seizure, typically from insufficient lubrication or connecting rod failure. This requires complete engine disassembly and replacement of damaged parts like the crankshaft, piston, cylinder sleeve, etc.
Performing Common Engine Repairs
With the right mechanical skills and proper caution around safety issues inherent with small engines, many DIY repairs are very achievable for motivated owners. Here are few common Briggs And Stratton small engine problems and fixes.
Cleaning Gummy Carburetors
Carburetors mixing precise air and fuel flows are sensitive to small dirt particles clogging narrow passageways. Symptoms of a restricted, gummed-up carburetor include occasional sputtering, flat spots during throttle adjustments, difficult cold starting despite repeated pulls, or even complete failure to combust.
The fix involves complete removal, disassembly, and careful cleaning of the carburetor body and all rubber gaskets with spray aerosol cleaners and wire brushes if needed. Ensure to flush all passageways thoroughly with fuel additive before reattaching the carburetor.
Replacing Recoil Pull Cords
After years of use, the thin nylon rope coiled inside manual pull-start recoil mechanisms often fray and snap unexpectedly. Replacements matched to the exact engine model are readily available. Carefully observe how the old rope feeds through a series of pulleys and starter pawls before unknotting and gently pulling out all remnants. Feed in the new rope following the same path through all pulley guides in the casting, avoiding any kinks. Finally, wind a fresh cord around the pulley spindle, securing it at the handle attachment point.
Fixing Compression Loss Issues
Engines plagued by difficult cold starting, sluggish acceleration, and significant power loss often suffer from low cylinder compression due to worn piston ring seals or leaked head gaskets failing to contain combustion pressure. Use a screw-in compression tester gauge to measure pressure levels in the combustion chamber before tearing down the top end.
If compression is over 20% lower than factory spec, remove cylinder heads and scrape any debris around head mating surfaces with a razor. Check the head gasket closely for cracks or blown-out sections that allow compression leaks. Also, inspect the piston top and cylinder wall for abnormal scuffing wear patterns. Replace any worn parts before reassembly.
Tuning Up for Peak Performance
To keep older equipment running like new, engines occasionally need complete tune-ups covering all systems:
- Drain and replace oil, filters, and grease fittings if equipped
- Replace air filter and spark plug
- Reset valve clearances, checking intake and exhaust gaps
- Check ignition timing between coil and magneto
- Remove debris buildup around the blower housing and fins
- Confirm blade sharpness on lawnmowers; replace if severely worn
After all is adjusted and corrected, your Briggs & Stratton engine should feel as responsive as when first purchased. Tune-ups extend usable lifespan.
Sourcing Replacement Briggs And Stratton Small Engine Parts
With scheduled maintenance and minor repairs, single-cylinder small engines often log over 500-1000 running hours in their usable lifespan before core components like the crankshaft eventually reach fatigue limits. When major parts replacements become necessary, here are the best methods to source compatible Briggs & Stratton parts online:
- Search official Parts Lookup diagrams using your engine Type and Code (model number) for guaranteed fit. Exploded views show assembly.
- Consult your silver Model-Type-Code tag adhered to the engine or stamped markings.
- Local dealers stock common replacements like starters, alternators, and fuel pumps.
- When labels are worn off, match physical dimensions and shaft lengths.
Stick with genuine Briggs & Stratton replacements, when possible, although compatible third-party components made by reputable firms can significantly cut costs on expensive parts like cylinder heads while providing equivalent functionality and warranties.
Safety Best Practices
While providing independence around equipment repairs, small gasoline engines also introduce hazards if improperly handled. Review these safety guidelines:
- Carefully read user manuals before attempting unfamiliar DIY servicing or fixes.
- Always wear OSHA-rated impact goggles and ear protection when engines run
- Use fitted work gloves and avoid loose clothing risks of catching in spinning parts
- Ensure adequate workshop ventilation to dilute toxic exhaust gases from indoor operations.
- Frequently check fuel lines and filters for cracks, allowing volatile vapor ignition by sparks.
- Allow hot components to fully cool before handling to prevent severe burns.
- Secure engines firmly in custom mounts or commercial workbenches before tearing them down to avoid dangerous tipping accidents
- Maintain all protective housings and shields around high-speed components like mower blades.
- Keep an ABC fire extinguisher and complete first aid kit nearby for emergencies like fuel spills.
- Follow local environmental regulations for proper hazardous waste disposal after oil changes, solvent cleaning, etc.
Stay safe while saving money through DIY service and repair!
Conclusion
With proper care, Briggs and Stratton small engines provide years of reliable service. Learn preventative maintenance patterns tailored for your individual usage hours and operating conditions. Build mechanical confidence with basic DIY fixes before attempting more complex troubleshooting. Always emphasize safety precautions around hazardous equipment and fuels. Mastering small engine care pays dividends through greater independence and lower costs than repeated technician servicing and repairs.
Don’t waste time struggling to fix that broken small engine yourself. Greg’s Small Engine Service & Repair has the parts, expertise and great customer service to solve your problems. Request convenient pick-up and delivery seven days a week, call us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should I change the oil in my small engine?
For optimal performance and longevity, you should change your Briggs & Stratton engine oil every 50 hours of running time or at least once annually before winter storage.
2. What weight oil is best for my outdoor power equipment?
Most Briggs & Stratton engines work well with standard 30W motor oil for temperatures above 32°F. Using 10W-30 oil allows easier to start during chilly weather. Check manufacturer recommendations in your equipment user manual.
3. Should I use premium gasoline in my small engine?
Regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline is suitable for typical consumer equipment, while commercial Briggs & Stratton Vanguard models benefit from 89-93 octane gas formulated with fuel stabilizer to prevent varnish deposits over longer run times.
4. How do I know if my small engine spark plug needs replacement?
Inspect spark plugs every 100 running hours. Look for a light brown dusty color vs. wet black soot covering electrodes signaling oil burning. Use the wire feeler gauge to check that the exposed metal electrode gap matches the specs stamped on the plug.
5. Does water in the gas tank cause engine damage?
Gas contaminated with water separates ethanol from suspension and can corrode steel components like carburetor jets. Drain the fuel tank immediately if water is observed before attempting to start. Disassemble and clean the carburetor if issues persist.
6. Should I disconnect the battery before a small engine repair?
Yes, always disconnect the negative battery terminal lead on equipment with electric starter motors or integrated ignition circuits to prevent accidental electric shocks or short circuits.
