Briggs and Stratton sticky valve fix

[@doglegjake6788]

i also do small engine repair and run across something new every day that stumps me and i work 7 days a week ,, take some time off the project and think about it ,, when ya get frustrated ya tend to work backwards ,, you did a great job figuring it out and i learned something here !! thanks for the info ,,,,, i have ran across that before and before i did a teardown i sprayed sea foam in the motor while it was barely running , i let it sit over night and did the same thing the next day and it broke loose all the crud around the valve stems and that motor ran perfect , ive also mixed berrymans b12 in with the gas on an old start cold start and it works great on valve issues , hope this helps ya !! thanks again

[@ZippoVarga]

Thanks Jake! I'm constantly learning my self. If we stop, we can only do so much right? I love a challenge, and this engine had always ran great. It started this symptom while the tractor it was in was at my Brothers for an extended stay. He didn't use it much, and as I'm sure you have experienced, the exhaust valve was stuck open for an extended period of time. It was just odd to me that it freed it self well enough to run, but once the engine warmed to a certain temp, it would hang up again. My mixture of choice is a 50-50 mix of transmission fluid and either kerosene or diesel. I can't count how many engines have come to me with "broken connecting rods" only to discover the valve or valves are just stuck. Cheers! Zip~

[@RonThompson-pugsly69]

Mr. Varga, I have greatly enjoyed watching your videos, and have learned quite a few little tips and tricks along the way. I would like to say thank you for putting yourself out there, and sharing your knowledge and information. In your video about stuck valves, and one way to free them up by using transmission fluid. I agree with your tip, and would like to offer an additional tid-bit of info you might find useful. For quite a few years, I have relied on Marvel Mystery Oil for several lubricating needs, especially in small engines. I'm an avid fan of LawnBoy & Toro 2-cycle mowers, and have used MMO as my oil mix product of choice for years, in place of traditional 2-cycle oils. My engines are spotless inside and out, give peak performance, no traces of ash or carbon build-up, and always start first pull. And yes, I admit, I am very meticulous about my equipment...lol. On a side note, one of my favorite penetrating oils is a 50/50 mixture of brake fluid and MMO. Give it a shot, and give us your opinion. Thanks, and keep blogging! Respectfully, Avid watcher

[@ZippoVarga]

It's my pleasure Ron! And please....everyone calls me Zip~ We're all friends here ;-) Cheers! Zip~

[@ZippoVarga]

+Ron Thompson Thanks for the prop's on my channel Ron. MMO, if you check the MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) will reveal that it is very similar to Automatic Transmission Fluid. As for using brake fluid, I may give it a try! My only concern is that I don't know its composition or what causes painted surfaces to be subjected to damage. I buy transmission fluid in bulk, so it's always around and cheaper than MMO. Again, thanks for the compliments on my channel!! 👍

[@haneyoakie14]

Just got a $20 5 hp Briggs Dayton generator today. No compression. Head off, exhaust stuck open. Trans fluid soak right now. Will report results. Thank you Zippo. Tom

[@haneyoakie14]

I had to take the exhaust valve out to clean it well to unstick it. Valves lapped in, new head gasket, it runs. Gas tank derusted, carb rebuilt all good there. Next step appears to be the governor adjustment. Someone has been here before me. It looks like they either messed up the governor adjustment, or the internals on the governor failed. It appears their “work around”was to use the idle stop screw to “idle” the engine at something close to 3100 rpm. Will report back the outcome. Thanks Zippo for your guidance and teaching. Hands on learning is the best style for me.

[@CraigArndt]

Hey Zip. I may be buying a Briggs 9hp from a snow thrower, its for the log splitter I'm building. Stumbled on this video from a couple years ago, glad you did it, in case I run into this issue.

[@ZippoVarga]

@ristin59 I like showing my mistakes so others won't make them. I'll never claim to be perfect and I always laugh at my self when I don't follow my own good advice. Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

[@CraigArndt]

Great stuff as usual. So dog gone humid the past two weeks I wish I had a decent fan for my garage. This video is giving me a idea!

[@ZippoVarga]

Can't beat a Briggs Cast Iron engine for dependability! Like to see the log splitter once you get her done up! Cheers!!

[@jaylenskyler8721]

pro tip : watch series at kaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using them for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@daxtonkeaton1180]

@Jaylen Skyler Yea, I have been watching on KaldroStream for years myself :)

[@not2fast4u2c]

This has to be what is wrong with my 16 hp on the alliss 716.. Last fall it acted just like you described .I put my old carb on it and ran a little better ..But kept dying when I tried to drive it and mow ..I fiddled with the carb and it ran enough to finish mowing ..Got it out of the shed a few days ago and got it to run but it was belching soot and smoke out the EX when it was trying to stay running then it seemed to come out of it but same problem when I throttled up and got the blades kicked in to mow..I ordered a head gasket and am going to pull the valves and at least lap them and set the clearance....Like a Fool I forgot about EX valves do rotate and after getting the exhaust pipe out and looking in there ..It is just caked full uf soot around the valve stem and guide area

[@waynecherry5301]

On a break from my backed-up paperwork. I will be shortly applying your advice asI get the "princess" 2110 That stalling we spoke of some time ago, may just be a sticking exhaust valve. There is no doubt the governor will still be a problem to address. BUT NOT til I possibly replace this A/C 12 HP with the 14 HP from RayS. Tx for the reminder on the "lazy" valve.

[@edzgarage]

Good job Zippo. I use PB Blaster all the time. It's great stuff!

[@BlackFlagHomestead]

Hey Zippo, ive just purchased a model 23 to rebuild and use in a sawmill project. My cylinder is very worn and i suspect it will habe to be bored. Where should i look for an oversized piston? I suspect it will need many bearings as well.

[@ZippoVarga]

email me at the address in the description below the video with a photo of the model tag. I've most likely got the manual I can send you which has all of your part numbers in it. Zip~

[@BlackFlagHomestead]

@@ZippoVarga im gonna send you an email now, i can't find a tag or stamping in any location. Ill send you the photos i habe. Thanks so much for a response!

[@ZippoVarga]

@CornfieldCraziness It really is great stuff! Thanks for the great comment!

[@ZippoVarga]

@oologahan Are they Cast iron horizontals or aluminum verticals? I've got a bucket of take off parts from an aluminum vertical shaft Tech powered Murray I swapped a Briggs into a couple years ago. No need for them here. Let me know buddy!

[@Mopjockey1234]

Would you know if a sticking valve could cause backfiring when trying to start an 8hp Briggs? Had been sitting a long time (probably 10 years plus) but only had about 4 hours runtime total. Had no spark so I did an electronic ignition conversion and also a new keyway while it was apart. Just backfires when pulling the starter cord, sometimes intake and sometimes exhaust. Any ideas?

[@ZippoVarga]

If you upgraded to a breakerless Coil, they require the flywheel be re-polarized to work correctly. But, you can also put the coil on in reverse. Meaning, engine side facing outward instead of against the cylinder. The Coil should be marked "Cylinder Side" or some variation of that. I believe what's happening is the coil is firing at the wrong time. Zip~

[@Mopjockey1234]

@@ZippoVarga ok thanks so much!! Will investigate this tomorrow at some point and see what I find, hopefully a nice simple fix so I can get my chipper operational again.

[@ZippoVarga]

Keep us posted Timothy. Zip~

[@zerobudget2649]

Can I re use the head gasket

[@ZippoVarga]

It's not advised, no. Zip~

[@ristin59]

Excellent diagnostic video!

[@MrZorrack]

Amen Zippo, America the Beautiful....Love it or Leave it ! great instructional on a baffling problem ,no doubt countless engines got thrown away due to this same condition, hope I find some of them !

[@ZippoVarga]

@mbyr31 I wanted to be sure I posted this video showing that I make mistakes, and often!! lol Hope all is well Brother!!

[@nathanpelletier8953]

How many foot pounds did you torque the head bolts to?

[@ZippoVarga]

196 inch lbs

[@LawnGardenFun]

Love learning from your vids.

[@ZippoVarga]

@ismokewead420 Thanks Weed!! I love doing them and my viewers appreciation really makes it easy to keep making the videos. Cheers!!

[@timmyweller7607]

I have a engine that seems to have to much compression how can i fix it its not a ohv its just the 12 hp ic engine

[@GrincheyOne]

I'm glad to see this video, before I proceeded to attack through the breather. I see you also like to use the magnetic parts tray. lost ine of the head bolts down the main shroud, and had to pull the engine to get it out. No need to detail the effort \that was.. AND everything I was mumbling under my breath

[@ZippoVarga]

@enfieldpolice Thanks my Friend! I hope things have been good with you!!

[@francislang5075]

the intake valve was stuck on my 10hp and i used seafoam spray and it worked

[@todds7614]

just bought a mint arines 28" 9hp mower for 100$ that ran but idled terrible cleaned carb no luck . checked valve lash and there was none on the intake it was touching . popped off keeper and grinded tip of valve with dremel until i had .005 clearance go to put keeper back on and valve wont come back down ?? pull motor off mower and pull head and the valve seat fell out . mouse nest in engine overheated enough take out the seat

[@toddosborne9838]

where can i get a head to fit that motor? I have a spark plug strip out and used a helicoil to fix and screwed up the head. are they available?

[@ZippoVarga]

They are available through certified Briggs and Stratton dealers. Just take the three sets of numbers from your engine and call any of your local independent dealers or contact Brenda at Sandylakeimp dott comm and she can get you hooked up with what you need. Cheers! Zip~

[@toddosborne9838]

Thanks, appreciate it

[@Hambone_777]

great vid Zip.....good info bro!

[@markimbesi4791]

I've been watching your videos, very interesting. I'm wondering if you could help me with my Briggs 243431 valves, intake spec is .007-.009 mine is .12 exhaust spec is .017- .019 mine is .21. How is the worn part determined, cam,tappet or valve ? It seems most info out there is on how to fix tight valves. Thanks Mark

[@ZippoVarga]

+Mark Imbesi You are on the right track in thinking it could be the lobes on the cam being worn. However, unless you have had this engine since new, there is no way to tell if a previous owner performed clearance maintenance on the valve stems and over did it. It will not hurt the engine to run it like this. If it is worn lobes on the cam, this can be determined by the amount of lift you get with the valves. I don't have the specs handy for this measurement, but they are available in the Briggs and Stratton Repairmans Handbook. You're only out .003 and ,002 of an inch...In the grand scheme of things, this is a very minuscule/negligible amount. .003 is less than the thickness of a piece of common note paper. Nothing at all to be concerned about. Just keep check as you use the engine (like a yearly maintenance check). I think you'll find that the gap will come into spec on its own as the engine is used. I hope this eases and helps the concern. Cheers!! Zip~

[@markimbesi4791]

It's on a Dayton generator that I can't get enough steady rpms for volts and Hz even after a carb rebuild and electronic ignition change. Since measuring I've taken the head off removed the keepers and valves cleaned them and lapped them to bring me way closer to spec. Just waiting on gasket. If I understand correctly I'm going to have to run high rpm ( not exceeding 3600) to generate and get the idle electro magnet working. I'll rewatched the governor series and go from there. Thanks

[@ZippoVarga]

+Mark Imbesi Be aware that I made a mistake in the setting of the governor. In the last step, OPEN the throttle all the way while holding the governor arm down. I showed this process with the throttle butterfly CLOSED by mistake. Cheers!! Zip~

[@ZippoVarga]

@oologahan lol....I fix all the Tecumseh engines that come through here with a sledge hammer. I've only found the old cast irons to even be worth re-selling. Then it's to the Sears guys who are rebuilding their Custom 10/12 xls. So you're one ahead of me by even having one in your possession! lol

[@ZippoVarga]

@1968hambone It's also taught me to listen to my own advice! lol

[@Parlusk]

mcclure as in mcclure va?

[@ZippoVarga]

@23mrcowboys Well my Friend....I like to keep my mind working so it doesn't go sour on me...lol. As for mastery of all of my interests....nah....I may have a couple that I consider "mastered", but.....there is always something new to learn, even if you think you've seen it all. Cheers Brother!!

[@macknumber9]

How come you don't look at the camera when you talk?

[@ZippoVarga]

It depends on the video Mack. Many, I am focusing on the work, other times I'm talking directly to you, my viewers. Zip~

[@macknumber9]

@@ZippoVarga cool thanx for the reply and great videos

[@ZippoVarga]

I'm glad you are enjoying them! I'm just everyone's neighbor, even on here. Chat any time! Zip~

[@macknumber9]

@@ZippoVarga quick question while I got ya...i have a mower that has very little compression. Read about 10psi when it even shows any reading...I figured it was the valves so I checked them and they seem fine...i didn't year down engine to check camshaft lobes yet but they do appear to be closing and opening just like they should viewing them with the valve cover off... Now when I did the compression test I also did a wet test and put some oil in the cylinder and it came back at 30 to 35 psi...so I'm thinking that the rings are shot...maybe even seized up...what do you think? Problem with rings and/or cylinder wall?

[@carlwhite2166]

what year is that motor

[@ZippoVarga]

It's a 1965 9hp. Zip~

[@ZippoVarga]

@23mrcowboys What's the old saying? Jack of all trades, master of none? That's ME!!!!! Lol Thanks Ben!!

[@ZippoVarga]

@GrincheyOne I've got your back, so long as I follow my own advice! lol

[@cableTVcutters]

great video !

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Oh, the engine is Briggs, just like the one you are working on here.

[@ZippoVarga]

@W1WEASEL I often learn as well!! lol Thanks!!

[@douglasbattjes3991]

I love the U.S.A., and who doesn't can leave anytime. Zippo, can stuck valve cause a engine to act like carb is messed up. Only runs on full choke. From tank to engine every thing has been cleaned or replaced.

[@justinhess7342]

I have a stroker 5hp flathead briggs bord .30 over built big but when i pull it the intake valve rases n sticks then slams back down on the cam its alcohol powered

[@ZippoVarga]

Sounds like you need to lap the valve guide to valve stem clearance. Or, it could just be sticky from residue. Take a little transmission fluid and drip it down the stem with the valve open so you can access it, then with the spark plug out, rotate the engine over until the valve no longer sticks. Also...The Valve isn't hitting the cam, it's dropping onto the valve tappet which is between the cam and valve. If you want to take the head off, it will make cleaning the valve stems much easier. You can also inspect their movement more readily. They should rotate as they raise and fall. If they don't rotate, rotate them by hand quite a few times to get them loosened up. Zip~

[@harryharry3193]

cool vid however, I dont think pb blaster has trans fluid in it. rwsidley.com/MSDS/the%20blaster.pdf looks like some pet distillates and naptha(lighter fluid) i saw another guy (65 ford) put atf on the valve too, after using pb.... great ideas. thanks man.

[@ZippoVarga]

The PB Blaster "LMT" has has a simila hydraulic type fluid in it. Not standard PB. Check the MSDS sheet on that Harry. Cheers! Zip~

[@ballzmahonee5645]

no oil in em

[@ZippoVarga]

No oil in what? The valves? When any of these old Briggs sits for an extended period of time, like this engine did, they tend to cause sticky valves, either due to dry conditions or varnishing on the valve stems that heats up and causes the valve to stick. Using a release agent will clean the valve stem and remove the varnish. I can only assume you're referring to the valve not being properly lubricated, which is sort of true for an engine that sits idle for a long time. No oil is circulating so it can certainly cause a dry condition. But it's more likely the varnish build up that causes the sticky valves. Thanks for stopping by Steve!! Zip~