Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

[sloopy]

Hi guys my briggs and stratton outboard has a problem. When I try to start it acts like it has low compression (when I pull the starter cord feels as if I am starting it without the spark plug in.) The spark plug is in and the valves (ohv) are working. What can be causing this problem?

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Hi Sloopy: You didn't say whether or not the motor ran. If it doesn't run, or runs very poorly, I'd say either bad valve (as in burnt), bad head gasket, or heaven forbid a hole in the piston. I've got a couple of aircooled motors but they are both two strokers. Two questions: l. Is your engine still under warranty? Lawnmower type engines are pretty durable and I wouldn't think you'd be having trouble with it this soon. 2. Are these B&S engines sold in stores or just in catalogs and online? I'd like to see one and check it out, but no one down here has ever heard of one. Oh, one more question. Is the B&S engine totally air cooled that is no water pump at all, or does it have a water pump for cooling the lower leg? If it has a water pump your impeller may have gone out and your engine overheated. Good luck!

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

It is totally air cooled, no water pump at all. It is a great engine and is very quiet. It does not run.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Do you have spark and gas in cylinder?<br /><br />Have you run it recently?

 

[ob]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Sloopy,Based on your description of the ease at which your engine pulls over ,I recommend you perform a compression test and post the results.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

A stuck valve or broken connecting rod are what I have found to be the most likely culprit on B&S motors with a freewheeling feeling upon pulling the rope.<br /><br />Has it passed it's warranty period?<br /><br />I doubt it's the rod as it will usually make a clacking sound just prior to ka-pow.<br /><br />If it's overhead valve I suppose you could pull the valve cover to take a look for excessive valve clearance.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

yes it has gas and spark, it was running four hours ago

 

[paulgp6022]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Those motors have a compression release mechanism. Check to make sure its functioning properly.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

where is that?

 

[Dogger CDN]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Hi guys,<br />I'm a B&S dealer/repair shop, so I guess that helps. The compression release on this engine is not a mechanism, it is just a small bump on camshaft exhaust valve lobe that releases just eough compression at pulling speed to avoid kickback. It isn't noticable above about 800 rpm.<br />This engine is the same as used on most newer push mowers of the same hp. They just stuck it on a very simple outdrive, added some safety measures, and had themselves a great little outboard. Especially for $1249 Canadian dollar.<br />I would pull off the valve cover and check the valvetrain. I have seen the rocker pedestals push sideways in head casting, and stick open valve. Also check that pushrods didnt get installed wrong at factory. It can happen, but not very likely. If the 2 pushrods are the same, no problem, but if 1 aluminum, and 1 steel then steel must be on exhaust valve and aluminum on intake valve.<br />If everything is OK under valve cover then you should pull the head for what I figure is your most likely problem. A blown headgasket. If it is, clean old one off, install new $8.29 gasket, torque it down to 200-225 in.lb, set valves, and go.<br />I would retorque head after it has been run, and had a chance to cool down.<br />Good luck

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

they have a two year warranty, and havent been out for two years yet, have they?<br /><br />I would hound em for a repair job<br /><br />I wonder if one of the boating mags would go for an extreme test of the Briggs, running a narrow beam cruiser ( I forget what they called em, skipjacks or something, 22 feet long, about 4 feet wide, had a 4 to 6 horse engine, used up north for fishin when all they HAD was a mighty five horse motor!) on The Great Loop of America ... cough up two of em, ten horses, a couple of thousand miles WOT all the way

 

[steelespike]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Not likely on this motor but Ive had 2 motors get gummy valves the valves worked but were so gummy they couldnt close fast enough at cranking speed so there was no compression.Not likely on your motor unless the oil was cooked somehow.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

yes it is still under warranty. I am going to check the valve clearance today and see if they are correct. The repair manual (part number 275110-3/03) has all the information I should need to adjust them. I also already have the repair manual, from another briggs outboard problem I have had.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

be careful you don't void the warranty by tearing<br />it apart yourself Sloopy....<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

yeah really, mellowyellow has a good point there<br /><br />let them fix it, but how can they get gummy? no oil to gum things up, and a half a gallon an hour at WOT, you are using mid grade name brand fuel right? As a former Petroleum Transfer Engineer, I can tell ya that the good stuff is in the booster tank, the regular base is el crappo, its when you get mid grade and premium that you get the additives for cleaning the carb/injectors and the propagation inhibitors (anti-knock compounds)

 

[jasperpso]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

it is a four stroke, it definitely has oil..

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

true, oil in the crankcase, but not to mess the carb up ... I just dont understand, a mower plows thru a few hours of running every few days for years ... I dont cut my grass when it DOESNT need it, do you?<br /><br />point is, if you have it as a kicker, you NEED it to run all the way home, not crap out on ya halfway in, what sorta deal is that?

 

[sloopy]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

I fixed it! The plug was cracked! I put a new briggs and stratton platnum plug in and it started on the first pull! Now my next question.... Is it normal for a plug to crack like that?

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

didnt it come with one from the factory? (platinum series)<br /><br />and well, yeah ... one of the problems with those little guys is they often have the plug jutting out very much in harms way, gotta be careful with em, I cracked a Champion on the Gamefisher, replaced it with a Motorcraft (!) plug(what can I say, I like Ford!), never a problem, just wire brushed it and gapped it again<br /><br />and again<br /><br />and again<br /><br />always cleaned up like new, always worked flawlessly<br /> <br /><br />congrats on the fix, now go run that sum biotch!<br /><br /> <br /><br />PS ... get a good plug socket, cheapo sockets can **** ( c o c k, for christ sakes, NAZI TYRANTS, whaddaya want, TILT?) over on you, and that will crack an insulator in a heartbeat

 

[Squeakit]

Re: Briggs and Stratton outboard problem

Congrats Sloopy on fixing your engine! Know you must be very relieved. Sometimes the simple cheap solution presents itself and I know I am sure grateful when that happens - didn't think your lawnmower engine would crap out on you so soon. B&S engines are pretty bulletproof. I'll ask this again to you or anyone else. Where can I go to see one of these engines?? I thought they were going to be widely available, but no one here has ever heard of a Briggs & Stratton outboard motor including the local small engine shop! Are these engines sold in stores or is it just online and thru catalogs? Are they still too new to be available thru mainstream sources? Would appreciate any info. Thanks.