Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: muntjac on March 20, 2007, 23:59

Title: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: muntjac on March 20, 2007, 23:59
try here for a simple tip or trick that may solve your starting or running problems with small engines on mowers rotavators etc

http://www.small-engines.com/
Title: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: richyrich7 on March 21, 2007, 09:21
Cheers Muntjac nice link, very useful  8)
Title: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: jack russell on March 21, 2007, 17:47
cheers munty good link added to favs :D

cheers

jr
Title: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: taildragon on June 15, 2007, 17:11
For Briggs and Stratton engine manuals and parts lists:

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/display/router.asp?DocID=78498

For generic information on small engine repair:

http://www.repairfaq.org/samnew/lmfaq.htm
Title: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: muntjac on November 13, 2007, 13:04
brilliant post mate,,,  :D
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: reggyboy on April 26, 2009, 15:50
New to forum so this might have been covered but here goes,everytime iv'e come across a briggs and stratton mower that will start and only run for a few seconds it has needed a new carburettor diaphragm,hope this helps.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: richyrich7 on April 26, 2009, 20:47
Cheers reggyboy tips are always welcome
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Buzzy bee on May 24, 2009, 22:58
Hi

Another tip, if ti is not giving a very good spark, scratch a pencil on the electrode.  As an emergency thing but a switch in the ht lead, will double the spark.  Not good to do this for long periods though!

Cheers

Dave
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Kopite on June 11, 2009, 14:12
Hi

I have a Ride on mower and today when i got on it there was on overwhelming smell of petrol but no leak the fuel tank was full yesterday but was now empty.  I took the filter bowel off and air filter and found the filter full of petrol and noticed a small leak coming from the exhaust pipe i took the pipe off and found the engine full of petrol obviously a seal has gone but which one? and where do i get one from?

Any help is greatly appreciated
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Kopite on June 11, 2009, 14:19
Briggs and Stratton
Model 28T707
type 1154E1
Code 970730ZA
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: slider on June 12, 2009, 23:15
hi sounds like the carb float needlestuck open,strip carb check floats not punctured and clean out with carb or brake cleaner.fit it back together and give it a try.leave the spark plug out over night for the excess fuel to evaporate.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Kopite on July 05, 2009, 11:09
Hi Slider,
Thanks for that, i overhauled the carb with new bits and this seems to have cured the problem.
Many thanks
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Rewari on July 13, 2009, 19:52
Hi All,
           I have a Wolsley Major Rotovater, can't get a spark at the plug, I have cleaned the coil, still no spark, it has a Pulsa -Jet Carburetter.
Can Aynone help ?

Bill
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Auntie Rain on September 13, 2009, 08:35
Ignition system in small magneto engines (coil inside flywheel) consists of two circuits, low tension (LT) & high tension (HT).

LT is a coil of wire which is 'charged' by the magnet in the flywheel. The HT is a coil which is 'charged' by the collapse of the charge in the LT.

How does LT charge collapse? - The points. These open & causes the charge in the LT circuit to collapse. This induces a charge in the HT circuit.

Now that the HT coil is charged, it jumps across the spark plug so it too can discharge.

Simples....  Two circuits, each will light a torch bulb if connected with a battery. (assuming points closed). No light, no circuit - magneto coil dead - replace. (Coil slides off armature).

Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: ihusker on October 13, 2009, 00:14
This is a tip which may be  useful to others. I have an old lawnmower with a pulsa jet carb. It has been playing me up for some time . Sometimes it would start first pull, then next time it wouldn't start. I found that if I put a bit of petrol down the carb it would usually start then stop, pointing to a fuel problem. I had taken the carb off previously and cleaned it all out but still wouldn't go. Today I got a new diaphram for the carb and fitted it. More importantly , it came with fitting instructions which tells you to hold the choke open by 3/8ths inch before tightening the screws to pretension the diaphram. Obviously last time I took it off I just bunged it back on and tightened it all up and the diaphram wasn't pumping up petrol. Since I've changed it , the engine has started first time every time, so I probably didn't need a new diaphram, but it was worth it to get the installation info.and cure the problem. Hope this is off interest to others with old B and S engines.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: smud6ie on March 29, 2010, 10:26
This is a tip which may be  useful to others. I have an old lawnmower with a pulsa jet carb. It has been playing me up for some time . Sometimes it would start first pull, then next time it wouldn't start. I found that if I put a bit of petrol down the carb it would usually start then stop, pointing to a fuel problem. I had taken the carb off previously and cleaned it all out but still wouldn't go. Today I got a new diaphram for the carb and fitted it. More importantly , it came with fitting instructions which tells you to hold the choke open by 3/8ths inch before tightening the screws to pretension the diaphram. Obviously last time I took it off I just bunged it back on and tightened it all up and the diaphram wasn't pumping up petrol. Since I've changed it , the engine has started first time every time, so I probably didn't need a new diaphram, but it was worth it to get the installation info.and cure the problem. Hope this is off interest to others with old B and S engines.
Handy site to go with this post:
http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_pulsa-jet_horiz_adj.asp
smud6ie
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Anxious Annie on March 30, 2010, 12:21
Hi Muntjac, cant get site you receommended - small-engines.com? Anxious Annie
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: agapanthus on March 30, 2010, 13:22
Hi Muntjac, cant get site you receommended - small-engines.com? Anxious Annie
Apparently it's now shut down....due to lot of aggravation :(
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Slowgrind on March 31, 2010, 13:33
For your own good!
Never stand near an engine with petrol poured into the carb!
A mate at work spent three weeks in hospital after priming the carb like this. The engine back fired spraying him with burning petrol!
NASTY!
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Buffyrose on April 22, 2010, 13:52
try here for a simple tip or trick that may solve your starting or running problems with small engines on mowers rotavators etc

http://www.small-engines.com/

Hi - apologies in advance if I'm not doing this correctly - I've never written on a forum before so don't quite know how to.    Couldn't get the 'small engines' link to work.

I have a Flymo rotovator, B&S 5hp engine.   It is in virtually mint condition having been looked after v well but is c 20 years old.   It has always been a so and so to start but once going does a fantastic job.  We normally have to 'prime' it by using a bicycle pump to pump air into the vent hole in the top of the petrol tank .......... and then it normally starts.  Last year it finally wouldn't start so ........... we renewed the points; spark plug; condenser; diaphragm on carbuerettor ........... and it worked beautifully.   This year, we 'primed ' it as usual and it started.  We did half the veggie garden and it stopped.  Well, we've since spent 4 hours over 2 days trying to get it going again.  Will it start ........ no it won't.  Do you think its had its day? 
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: richyrich7 on April 25, 2010, 21:53
No I don't think it's had it.
1) welcome to the forums :)
2) create a "new topic" in the engine room section and I'm sure the small engine gang can work this through with you.
3) check the filer cap make sure the vent hole's not blocked  ;)
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: TheEnglishman on August 12, 2010, 13:58
Ignition system in small magneto engines (coil inside flywheel) consists of two circuits, low tension (LT) & high tension (HT).

LT is a coil of wire which is 'charged' by the magnet in the flywheel. The HT is a coil which is 'charged' by the collapse of the charge in the LT.

How does LT charge collapse? - The points. These open & causes the charge in the LT circuit to collapse. This induces a charge in the HT circuit.

Now that the HT coil is charged, it jumps across the spark plug so it too can discharge.

Simples....  Two circuits, each will light a torch bulb if connected with a battery. (assuming points closed). No light, no circuit - magneto coil dead - replace. (Coil slides off armature).




Succinctly put   8)

I've had the points get clogged with dirt so they never close.  Still, the 30 mins of exercise pulling the cord was cheaper than joining a gym!

I had to get a flywheel puller from Halfrawds, so win, win (just popping out for some tools, dear...) to get at the points though.


BTW - never check for a spark by holding the spark plug.  Well, if you do you'll only do it the once.  ;)  DAMHIK  ::)
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Guzzik on August 23, 2010, 18:12
New to forum so this might have been covered but here goes,everytime iv'e come across a briggs and stratton mower that will start and only run for a few seconds it has needed a new carburettor diaphragm,hope this helps.

Another tip is for ALL small (1.5 to 4.5 hp)petrol mowers is if it starts to "hunt", as in accelerates then cuts back, accelerates, then cuts back all the time.  The diaphragm is knackered.  Strip carb back, replace and away one goeth again.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: slider on January 09, 2011, 22:45
my rotavator was playing up i found a good peice on you tube.theres a guy on there has  videod striping,checking and rebuilding a briggs an stratton engine.i followed his step buy step guide .first pull she fired up and i ve had no probs since worth looking at if your machines playing up
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: AlfieD on April 30, 2012, 21:20
I have just found this web site and ordered spare parts for my 1978 Mountfield with a Briggs & Stratton 3.5 HP model number 92902 they appear to have everything including the service manual.
briggsbits.co.uk hope it is of use
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: adal on July 26, 2012, 19:04
If any member would like any information on Briggs and Stratton engines I have a Service Manual for Out of Production Engines 1919 – 1981 all is in pdf format
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Grimbles grower on August 17, 2012, 10:29
Hi all, can anyone help. I have just inherited a Merry Tiller Titan with a 5hp Briggs & stratton engine, cannot start it. I have replaced spark plug,checked gap,stripped carb & cleaned,replaced diaphragm,checked magneto(ouch)&cleaned points,full tank of clean petrol and still no go :(
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Gwiz on August 17, 2012, 12:29
How does the compression feel? is it very easy to turn over?
Are you putting it onto choke when you start it? (I've got to ask!)
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Grimbles grower on August 17, 2012, 14:53
Turns over easily and seems to have enough compression, choke out and throttle set to fast as per instruction manual. Its a 130202 model manufactured in 73 if thats any help.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Dopey113 on August 18, 2012, 00:32
pull the plug out, with a pair of plastic handled pliers, look at the plug (re attach the lead) and get someone to start it up, see if you have a spark at the plug
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: bluedog on August 26, 2012, 00:09
 ???
hi got to admit that I am becoming a rotavator junkie I now have four one echman 2x norlett power spades and just sorted a big rotavator with a robins engine on it
oh what fun small engines

love peas and carrots
martin  :tongue2:
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: jancapel on May 05, 2013, 18:51
If any member would like any information on Briggs and Stratton engines I have a Service Manual for Out of Production Engines 1919 – 1981 all is in pdf format
  I would love a copy having issues with throttle cable on our little Merry Tiller
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: pjs on May 22, 2013, 12:11
Hello,

I've an odd problem with my Briggs & Stratton engine.  It recently ground to a halt and while fiddling around with it found an odd problem.  The engine will start and run without the spark plug lead on, but when I plug it in nothing happens - it's dead.  I don't know a huge amount about engines but know that this is a little strange. 

Here's a video clip r5iTajoInKs

Any ideas ?

Peter
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: grendel on May 22, 2013, 12:46
have you by any chance put diesel fuel in it?
Grendel
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: pjs on May 22, 2013, 13:52
Nope....  but I've had it to bits again and quite sure it's a problem with the lead or magneto so will look at replacing that
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: smud6ie on May 22, 2013, 15:56
Tie the plug lead away from the top of the plug and if it starts I would be shocked. ;) :)
smud6ie
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: coleman1 on July 07, 2013, 13:46
The magneto coil sometimes need re adjusting as they work loose and need to bee loosened off and re we putting a business card between the flyweel and the magneto and let the magnetic force pull it tight up to the flyweel and re tighten
Regards
Robin
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Steveharford on September 11, 2013, 18:11
Hope someone can help with this strange one: firstly I know it should go back to the dealer, as I bought it new this Spring,  but it means half a day off work to get it there and half a day to get it back. This relates to a Maspro mower with B and S engine. It reliably starts first pull from cold with choke as you'd expect. It also restarts while warm after the short time it takes to empty the catcher, with no choke necessary. However if I leave it for a few minutes it just won't start with or without choke. I sometimes get it to fire a little bit but it doesn't pick up and I know then that the only thing to do is leave it for an hour then do the normal choke start whereupon it starts first pull again. This would be frustrating enough if it was happening on my own lawn but it occurs when I do customers lawns which costs me time and also doesn't look very professional. I have asked the dealer about it but he couldn't understand what it might be.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Swed on February 02, 2014, 21:08
Hope someone can help with this strange one: firstly I know it should go back to the dealer, as I bought it new this Spring,  but it means half a day off work to get it there and half a day to get it back. This relates to a Maspro mower with B and S engine. It reliably starts first pull from cold with choke as you'd expect. It also restarts while warm after the short time it takes to empty the catcher, with no choke necessary. However if I leave it for a few minutes it just won't start with or without choke. I sometimes get it to fire a little bit but it doesn't pick up and I know then that the only thing to do is leave it for an hour then do the normal choke start whereupon it starts first pull again. This would be frustrating enough if it was happening on my own lawn but it occurs when I do customers lawns which costs me time and also doesn't look very professional. I have asked the dealer about it but he couldn't understand what it might be.

Modern top-valve Engine?
You need to Clean the carburetor and the petrol bowl/cup... it is filled with dirt and grass...

Older models have this problem with the petroltank.
...kind of surpriced about your dealers reply... this is typical for the B&S lawnmower Engines...
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Steveharford on February 02, 2014, 21:51
Well I explained the problem to another dealer who immediately recognized the problem as a defective plug cap. Something to do with the suppressor within it I think. Anyway he sold me a simple rubber covered cap to replace the dodgy metal one and I have had no trouble since. Why the manufacturer continues to use these problematic caps is a mystery to me.
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Nobbie on April 15, 2014, 10:05
Before I start fiddling and making things worse :nowink:, I'd thought I'd ask for some advice. I've just bought a rotavator with a B&S 3hp I/C engine. It's starts ok and runs ok until it is put under heavier load such as digging quite deeply when it stalls. There are two controls on it, one is choke and the other seems to be an adjustable throttle, but doesn't run very well at anything above the default low setting. Any ideas? Does it just need a mixture adjustment? I'll check the plug this afternoon for sootyness.

Edit: I've just found that the small engines website is back up, so will try the advice on there unless anyone knows the problem.

cheers
Title: Re: fixing problems with briggs and stratton+small engines
Post by: Kevin67 on October 27, 2014, 12:14
Don't know if this helps: B&S manuals galore here:

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/manuals