Briggs & Stratton runs after SEIZED PISTON and BROKEN VALVE - How to unseize a small engine

In this video we take a look at a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower engine which has a seized piston. As we dug into this thing, we realized it also had a broken valve. This is not a problem as it is easy to unseize the piston on Briggs & Stratton, Tecumsa, Honda, and other types of small engines.
In this video we will also cover how to replace a valve in a small engine and set valve lash properly on any lawn mower, generator, power washer, or other machine with a small engine.
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We hope you enjoyed this video and will keep in mind that all information included is intended to be purely academic and in fact is only the opinion of D&E. We are not professionals, nor are we qualified to knight you a professional. D&E want to ensure that anyone modify or fixing their own vehicle does so in a safe manner which leaves the vehicle in a legal, roadworthy state. In short, DON'T BE A MONKEY WITH A TOOL BOX! If you don't know what you are doing, leave it the professionals!

[@larrypuckett5291]

I tell you what. I am so impressed I will never junk another lawnmower until I have checked everything. And I mean everything. Thanks for a great video

[@jessebalser2771]

Glad to see I'm not the only freebee salvager

[@hroman5]

My lawnmower maintenance guy said my mower wasn't worth repairing after the piston seized. After watching your video, buying a can of Blaster, applying and waiting 2 hours, I worked the piston free, put the spark plug back in and started her right up! It was a little smokey at first, but it cleared up after a minute and my mower is running strong again! Thank you gentlemen! I didn't want to throw this mower into a landfill.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Good for you! That mower tech should find another occupation if all he wants to work on are perfect machines with nonissues

[@maradavila4400]

I have the same problem…told the motor locked up. Which do I try, the starter fluid or the other one Blaster PB??

[@tyronebiggums69]

It still running? I just fixed a riding mower like this, curious about lifespan

[@seandriscoll3762]

Great video! Thanks for the help, trying it out!

[@RedLn9k]

Y'all saved me with the PB blaster trick!

[@don-o-seven1437]

Thanks gentlemen. Enough information here to find I have a blown piston rod. Not so easy a fix but I can now decide between the repair or selling it for parts.

[@sccarguy8242]

Mustie would be so proud of you, bringing a tear to his North Eastern Eye. I actually love these kinds of videos. You learn something everytime.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I have seen his video pop up, but have never watched any.. should I be giving it a view??

[@sccarguy8242]

@@DEInTheGarage ohh yes, He is kinda the “Bob Ross” of the small engine/automotive world. Educational, fun and also strangely calming

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@sccarguy8242 Dang! Sounds like I have been missing out

[@moabwheeling]

Been watching you for awhile and I love your channel . Just subscribed .

[@DEInTheGarage]

Hey, thanks bud! glad to have you aboard

[@davebliss6436]

Good information!

[@davidn7949]

Thanks to you I was able to save an 8 hp Honda seized due to lack of oil.

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Douglas.👍👍

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks bud!

[@macsloan58]

Another entertaining video. 5 pulls to bring it back from the dead is good, I had a craftsman with the BS engine that I picked up at an auction for $20. It ran for 2-3 years but would take between 7-10 pulls after 20 pumps to the primer bulb. It needed work and finally quit. I put it by the road with my hand painted “ take it - free” plywood sign. My sons and I always try to guess how long things will last before somebody swoops in and claims the prize. The mower lasted about 10 minutes. We had figured about 15. It is a busy rural road in western Pennsylvania so there are plenty of people with the knowledge and patience to fix my freebies. Again, good video. I have a college football game on the boob tube with the volume way down so I can watch your production. Keep them coming.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks for watching bud. I could not believe how well this unit ran considering the size of the failure. I think it helped that the cylinder was full of oil which helps increase compression on a tired motor for startup. I am the guy swooping in 10 minutes after you put it out there. haha

[@salvatorebaleno9807]

Quality content my Bearded Bears Bro. Was fun to watch.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Why thank you, bud. Glad you enjoyed it

[@randomactsofdave7435]

I'm sure all these small engine revivals will maybe end one day in a Briggs powered barbie jeep build!? Hellz ya!

[@DEInTheGarage]

.... by god I think you've got it!

[@GodSpeedGato]

Very nice 👌

[@stephenh5166]

I've been loving the small engine stuff. I don't have the funds to mess with cars all the time but small engines are a ton of fun to tinker on. My personal favorite is the 303cc Wankel in my Snowmobile. It's wonderfully simple and makes a ton of power for its weight.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Bud, you just hit the nail on the head! I cannot afford a big Jeep or automotive project every week, so if I can get my kicks fixing a free lawnmower or snow blower then I am going to do it!

[@dw4940]

What snowgo is it powering? My fav is 250cc single cyl citation. A full 100# plus LESS than typical 500cc liquid cooled.

[@stephenh5166]

@@dw4940 It's the 'born with' engine of my 1972 Arctic Cat Panther. I bought it from the original owner in pieces and put it back together 2 winters ago. It's the subject of the only thing on my channel if you want to see it in action. I wish someone still made a nice light snowmobile, I like how the vintage stuff feels more like a bike than a car.

[@mattiebyron5120]

​@@DEInTheGarage❤😮😅

[@1stzjtruck706]

Fun watching your videos

[@DEInTheGarage]

As always, thanks bud!

[@russellpresley6372]

going to give this a try my dads old Big Wheel mower was 20 plus when he gave it me. I ran if for another few years run it low on oil and it seizage up.

[@annslow41]

Damn, impressive job. I'll be using your video to trouble shoot mine this weekend. IDK what's up with it

[@cantire1234]

This video was helpful. I have seen a few videos like this around but yours helped the most. I have an old Toro lawnmower that had been sitting for a few seasons (handle broker and other stuff was going wrong on it so ended up getting a new one). Anyway, trying to get it running now and noticed couldn't pull the cord. Took off and tried to turn manual without the spark plug in and wouldn't turn. Squirted in some penetrating oil and an hour later managed to turn it but it doesn't go all the way. It stops at the point where there is the least depth in the spark plug hole (i.e. in either direction). Pushes out the liquid when this happens. I squirted more in and will leave it overnight, and try again tomorrow to see if it will get smooth past that point I guess.

[@cantire1234]

Ah, I just watched the video again and looks like you actually had the same issue. Where the issue with the head was preventing you from going right around. I need to learn how to take apart the head for this toro lawnmower now.

[@clydeg4274]

Someone loves AvE

[@patriciabaker4597]

Your not a monkey bro that was a good job most people couldn't do keep up the good work

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks bud!

[@dpowerz9858]

Let’s see the snowblower leggo 🥶

[@DEInTheGarage]

You're on! Stay tuned

[@brentdutcher2875]

Good find on that snow blower.

[@braaapattack2937]

That’s the same snowblower I have at home 😂

[@DEInTheGarage]

It is a quality unit to be sure. I almost felt bad taking it off the guys hands for free knowing it is a 10 minute $0.00 fix...

[@brentdutcher2875]

@@DEInTheGarage Don't feel bad in this throw away everything society we live in a monkey with a toolbox can do really good. ♥️

[@corpsepenis]

I've got like 3 DOA snowblowers in the back yard. One big, expensive, and like new; neighbor used it once or twice and somehow screwed it up. I really need to dig into that thing, but alas - too many projects and not enough daylight or warmth.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Sounds like you have a pile of beer money just waiting to happen!

[@josephbell7061]

Remembering Lake Effect.

[@beegekhaos3171]

Great video, you're entertaining as well! Question - the Cylinder on my snapper push mower is also stuck. However, when i turn the flywheel, the blades turn with it. Does that mean it's screwed? (The neighbor gave it to me, he broke the recoil handle so he went out and bought a new mower)

[@michaellowe5558]

Excellent video. Here's my problem. Briggs and Stratton TORO 6.75 190cc Recycler. Worked great for a long time, then suddenly clicking noises and won't start. Changed spark plug. Changed oil. Piston not seized, still pulls. Put in fresh gas. Cleaned carb. Changed air filter. Won't start. Help.

[@outdoorsmansgarage]

Looks good to me bud but then again I haven t been able to locate my glasses in a week 😁👍

[@DEInTheGarage]

LOL... just barreling around town in the dually with no vision, aye?

[@maradavila4400]

What if the starter pull is not stuck, it pulls but the engine doesn’t turn over? I did a carburetor tuneup, new spark plug and fresh gas. It started once but when to use after 2 weeks, it wouldn’t start up? Any suggestions?

[@davidanderson3944]

Just got a craftsman 4 cycle snow blower for basically nothing. Owner said the shop told him motor was seized. Have not totally looked at it, but he was told there was somekind of pin broken internally. Any Ideas??

[@bearallen852]

I got a mower just like that for free. Had a liquid dinosaur leak, put a new head gasket and in a day she was running like a Swiss watch. Flipped her for $60 and called it a weekend.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I hear you bud. these units prefer their liquid dinosaurs on the INSIDE

[@Steve0885]

Mine sized I got it loose it ran fine for a while smoked bad out of the exhaust shut off after a few days, shut off and won't crank up

[@dw4940]

Liquid dinosaurs, haha thats a good 1! Damn nice snowblower btw!! Id say more them 1200 new, judging on how much a pie of junk.Yard Machine of that size goes for brand new. Off guess id say 2200. Something lik3 that.

[@carriepickett2687]

I absolutely enjoyed the commentary and I learned so many new phrases I never knew existed 😂😂😂

[@timzyaboi3784]

Can you do a video on that snow blower?

[@DEInTheGarage]

sure can bud

[@kljhadfdhafklj]

Right fu****g on, thanks for the help.

[@DocDave77]

My engine pulls without the spark plug but seizes up with the plug in... Any ideas?

[@davidadkins4648]

Great fix so just found you video searching for info on a Tecumseh engine on a toro recycler. Wounder if you have any suggestions. I used the PB Blaster, cleaned the carb, replacer the recoil Let it sit for a day and it started on the second pull. It is revving like on full throttle, I took in to a dealer for service, after the $60 bucks they told me it was seized up and could not be repaired. Any insight. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Sounds like the carb throttle bade is stuck open? There isn't much that will make a small engine wide open outside of the throttle. Possibly an air leak could do that as well, though usually they have the opposite effect and cause engine to run lean. You can try spray carb spray around the seals and mating surfaces. If it make the engine change running condition at all then there is a leak at that seal.

[@matthewtwright84]

👍

[@rovert97]

I got three DOA mowers on my property. Wish I had the time and space to get them running.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Well bud, for your sake I hope you find the time. There is nothing more zen than tinkering on an old lawnmower with zero pressure to get it running.

[@braaapattack2937]

Last time I was this early, lake effect was “figgen mint”

[@DEInTheGarage]

BRAAAAAP!

[@braaapattack2937]

@@DEInTheGarage I’ll be doing that soon, once we get that white stuff to fall and stay, got 2 snowmobiles waiting to go

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@braaapattack2937 oOo.. I assumed it was a dirt bike BRAAAP... I would love to get into some snowmobile BRAAAPing, but Jersey doesnt get enough snow AND they wont let you ride anywhere when we do

[@braaapattack2937]

Take a trek up to the tug hill plateau, plenty of people from jersey, Maryland, pa, etc come up there to ride, and there is rentals (look up ridgeview inn, it’s a motel in lowville), it’s an experience for sure, I’d love to get a dirt bike, but my body says nope (too many hernias, and other stuff)

[@DEInTheGarage]

@@braaapattack2937 My wife's family is all from upstate and they go snowmobiling around that area. maybe I should get a ski and join them!

[@robertgrauman8602]

Hey, question about that Dodge you're converting to a carb, are you going to put in a fuel return line Thunderhead 289? Also, you went so far as a 318 for it, why not go 360? I know that's what a lot of ZJ guys do when their 5.2 goes south, drop a 5.9 in it.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thunderhead is about 50% of my road map on this carb project. He is the GURU, so yes, return line, AFR gauge, and anything else he suggests for a carbureted engine. There are two answer on why I went 318 instead of 360. First, availability ... this one fell into my lap and was cheap and easy. Second answer is nostalgia. I grew up a Mopar fan, but have never owned a 318. For my first ever carbureted engine, I wanted it to be a 318.

[@robertgrauman8602]

@@DEInTheGarage that's cool. I had the opportunity to put a 5.9 in my 98 ZJ but I didn't know at the time that I could reuse all the 5.2 sensors and computer and it would work. I'll have to write up the story behind my Jeeps for you to laugh/cry at. I know just what you mean about nostalgia. My first Jeep was a 94 ZJ. It was supposed to be something for my mom to drive around, but the body style and interior looked like a bigger version of my first car, '88 Aries wagon.

[@erichughes9098]

😎👍

[@james6920061]

I have a 1994 Dodge Dakota with no fire 🔥 it has no power to the coil what the hell do you think my problem may be it’s done went gave me a headache

[@DEInTheGarage]

To be honest, could be any number of things. I would start at the battery and just start working your way back with a test light to see where power dies off

[@michaellawrence4371]

Are u here about what doing found know the right speck for the valve lash

[@garysgarage3669]

I think this is just my OCD but why didn't you clean some of that carbon off the head and piston?

[@DEInTheGarage]

Certainly wouldn't have been a bad idea. It is kind of a catch ss. Don;t want to spend the time cleaning until I know it will run... once it is running, why bother taking it apart again

[@rodom303]

Loving these latest videos but you aren’t doing anything special on the wj? Or you just trying to keep her reliable?

[@timzyaboi3784]

I don't mind small engine stuff. Just like being in the garage with Doug

[@DEInTheGarage]

Yea bud, I admit I am in a small engine groovy right now, but I have a number of things lined up for the Jeep. It still needs the transfer case, I am halfway through a winch bumper for the front, and I have rear suspension components to change out. If you stick with my through this lawn mower phase I promise to get back to the Jeep stuff in due time

[@rodom303]

@@DEInTheGarage haha no worries sounds good to me

[@MaxFGonzalez17]

Can I use WD40?

[@smallblockfuelie]

I feel like a failure not knowing about this secret mower relaxed position before now.

[@357bullfrog2]

Me too. I just wish it worked for riding mowers

[@DEInTheGarage]

Well bud that is what I am here for! I scream into a camera a few times per week to make sure we are all on the same page with this stuff

[@357bullfrog2]

@@DEInTheGarage some of things you do would make me scream too. Lol. Keep yellin hoss and we'll keep listening

[@ProjectDanH]

Imagine what a competent person could do 🤣🤣

[@philliphall5198]

Remove plug, puts in diesel and wait a week, free

[@therandomman6647]

If you get an old lawn boy remember it's 2 stroke! Dear god don't run straight gas through it

[@braydenfenner4522]

I might have a B&S that will stump you lol

[@doordongin3514]

Toight

[@MrClarkisgod]

Hell yeah I'll watch you work on mowers and snow blowers. You know who Mustie1 is? That guy is the KZbin mower god. Also. People are idiots. 2 years ago I picked up 5 push mowers. Husquavarna, Honda, Craftsman, and 2 Bolens. 2 of them were 2 years old and had baggers on them. Probably $400 new each. I fixed 4 out of 5. 1 Bolens was just, but I used it for parts on the other one. Kept the Honda for myself, and sold my Bolens and the rest. Used that money to buy a 2004 Silverado for $1000. lol. It never ends.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Everyone is mentioning Mustie1. I admit I have not seen anything from him. I will be checking it out today. As for people and their inexplicable ability to toss money out the window... i will never understand it. I was raised to fix what you've got

[@MrClarkisgod]

@@DEInTheGarage Same. That's how I learned growing up with my step dad. We did everything ourselves with the help of the church's men's group. Siding, roofing, flooring, tile, painting, pulling wire for the electrician, built an entire 3 car garage start to finish, made a fish pond with a flagstone waterfall, etc.... did all that stuff around the house and for neighbors. I started working mowing yards and landscaping when I was 12. In Feb. 2001 at 19 I joined the USMC and became a diesel mechanic, mainly rebuilding engines, single and dual output transmissions, PTO's and final drives for military vehicles. In our off time we worked on our cars. 5 of us had fox body Mustangs. I rebuilt my 306 with heads, cam, intake, exhaust and added an intercooled Procharger P600B kit to it. Made 440/487 rear wheel on the dyno. That was 15 years ago and I've bought and remodeled houses, learned to weld, braze, and a little fabrication and machinist work. I've also been an X-ray tech, Registered Nurse and now I'm a nurse anesthetist aka CRNA for a plastic surgeon here in STL. Between my job and real estate I made over $450k last year and you know what I drive.... a 2000 S10 that I've redone from the ground up. I've owned it for 14 years now. And they will have to bury me in that thing.

[@Desflurane123]

@@MrClarkisgod how do you hide greasy fingernails from those ladies ready to be blessed in the chest?

[@stevesmith6058]

You’re not gonna get the hundred dollars for that since it was locked up and be ripping somebody off what kind of guarantee can you give them

[@doordongin3514]

Too toight

[@michaellawrence4371]

Are u really teaching something or playing hilando hope