How to Replace Starter on Opposed Twin Briggs w/o Pulling Flywheel

[@nheng6913]

Wish I found this two days sooner, but it still helped with re-assembly. One important note is that the 2nd bolt will not be able to come out unless you turn the flywheel so that one of the "wells" under it aligns with the bolt, giving it vertical clearance. Thanks for a great video !

[@sailincat2822]

Thank you for confirming how it looked like I could get the starter out. Your finger-tips-as-open-end-wrench under the flywheel method worked perfectly! After scavenging a plastic starter gear off another lawn tractor which the scrap metal guy is supposed to pick up today, my opposed twin mower is back up and running for free! DIY and junk hording wins once again!

[@arciefan]

My single cylinder briggs was doing the dragging thing bad. I watched the video on donyboy73 channel and adjusted the overhead valves. Obviously the valves weren't opening properly causing to much compression and thus making the starter drag. That cured my dragging starter problem. I realize this engine is probably not overhead valves and that may not be the problem causing the starter to drag but thought I would mention it. I also realize , you are probably 100 times the mechanic I am at minimum. Thanks for all the good videos.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

+arciefan Yep, that is usually problem on OHV motors that have the compression release, these flatheads do not have that (at least most of them anyways). I actually have a video on how to adjust valve clearance on one, using a 14.5HP as a example. Your welcome, thanks for watching!!!

[@rverro8478]

Thanks for the priceless infos. I thought the flywheel had to come off. You just saved me a lot of aggravations. Thumbs up !

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

+R Verro Your welcome, it makes it alot faster this way, its a pain taking the flywheel off! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@scheideggerUSVI]

Thanks for the good camera angles; we could actually see what we were wondering about

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome, glad to help out! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@xH3LLBILLYx]

ha ha I was so discouraged I was shoppin new riders which motivated me to watch some repair vids and here ya did it w/o pullin the flywheel..old mower back in business

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I hear ya! Glad you found my video instead of buying a new mower haha Thanks for Watching!!!

[@djdaveott]

Man I can't thank you enough. I'm having the exact same two issues. Dragging starter and hard restart after running. I appreciate you sharing this video. This will save me a good bit of time. Thanks!

[@packrat76]

You can get mild vapor lock if a mower is shut off and restarted on a hot day with heavy use, like jamming up the deck and killing the engine. By the time you cleared the deck the hot engine has heat soaked the fuel system completely and that could be an issue you're experiencing with a hard start.

[@braddavies9536]

I was given an early 90's Sentinel Patrol by Noma Outdoor Products tractor with the 18hp opposed twin Briggs engine. It sounded strange when starting, and today the starter just started spinning. I took the flywheel cover off and found the plastic gear total stripped of it's teeth. I just watched your video on how to remove the gear by punching out the pin, but realized that I can't get the old gear off without removing the starter. Thanks for posting this video of how to remove the starter without removing the flywheel. I will be working on this this weekend and will let you know how it goes.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I hear ya! Hate when that happens! Glad to help out! Sounds good! Thanks for Watching!

[@jamescarr3862]

Just had to replace the starter on my tractor, this video was really helpful, thank you 👍

[@kenmeadows9937]

Thanks for a great video I was searching for an hour trying to locate the second bolt which is under the fly wheel

[@1anthonybrowning]

It really is a good idea to check the cooling fins on these old engines. I sourced knew of these that had been sitting for a while to replace an engine for a friend of mine and when I checked under the covers and in the fins I found 2 old wasp nests and a snake skin, half the skin on the left cylinder and the other half on the right cylinder. Goes to show one never knows what's under there until it's checked.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

+Anthony Browning It really is, and its overlooked all the time. I have a 12HP block that overheated and cracked, i might make a video talking about how important it is and what can happen. oh wow, snake skin in a motor, thats a new one haha I've found alot of mouse nests and just grass built up before. haha thats crazy! yepp haha Thanks for Watching!!!

[@ktmpasser]

I just want to share the following. My 18 hp opposed twin acted like a faulty compression release. The motor would only rotate about a 1/4 turn with a fully charged battery. I disassembled and thoroughly cleaned the starter with brake cleaner. It now rotates like it did when new! I suggest trying this before pulling your hair out.

[@kennethcolgan7282]

Great video also check valve tappit clearance will cause poor compression release also check that cam is trying to open valve on compression stroke

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks! very true! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@jimhamel7864]

Thank you for helping with your video, it saved my butt!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@nheng6913]

I'd like to mention one other thing. On my 14HP twin, the Briggs costs $140 but original lasted 28 years! New Amazon one is China but costing $34 delivered. We'll see how that goes.

[@old64goat]

Good info, it sounded like the engine did not want to start toward the end.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

+old64goat Thanks! yeah that motor has always been hard to start, it was cold that morning too, it started right up after i choked it. After i put the coil on it, it seems to start alot easier, I think it was putting out a weak spark when it was cranking over. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@jafinch78]

Checked earlier today to see if I can get the older Williams ratchet double box end 1/2"'er side on and didn't fit due to a metal shield in the way. Had to go pick up a metric 10mm and 12mm for working on the 2ZR and thought I test since happened to watch this video and have a $50 Craftsman I've been working with the starter and engine on that has a dangling wire terminal instead of the threaded bolt like post. Thinking just swap the starter with another I have working and haven't done so yet since haven't run into one not working... usually bad bendix or gears. My engine is the 19.5HP and there is another sheet metal cover over the top of the engine between the flywheel and block that also bends up front at a 90 degree going up. Thinking once I get removed with the open end side of the wrench, I'll bend down that sheet metal for more room to get the box end ratchet in to remove. Maybe get a punch in there at a downward angle to bend down out of the way. However, will test in the morning since looks like these newer ~$16 on sale Husky brand from Home Depot seem to be thinner and might fit better if lesser outer diameter. Thinking I might try the 13mm just to see how the wrench fits different. Any reason not to bend the sheet metal so more box end room to fit? These littler ratchet wrenches look handy and I'm thinking might be worth if needed to get a SAE set and maybe to start with a 1/2" if I can't make room for the older Williams double box end ratchet which looks almost 1/4 to 1/3 thicker off hand too... though I'll measure and maybe post a video tomorrow to compare and document. Thanks for sharing!

[@toroman8677]

Great help video! I was able to follow along and git r done.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Glad to help out, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@ronniefreeman1500]

I have a Briggs and Statton 19.5 twin Craftsman riding mower that's manf year 2000 or so. Does my motor have a decompression? If so, that could be bad. If the sparkplugs are out, it turns just fine. I jumped directly to the starter as you. It still just turns slow. Not fast enough to crank. Do you know how many ohms the starter field coils should have to see if I have some shorted field windings? After looking at your video, I may have a missing ground wire near the starter. The previous owner replaced the ground wire. He may have it going through too much iron getting a good ground. It always dragged the whole time I've ever had this mower.

[@jbam83]

So glad I found this video

[@lewiemcneely9143]

My gear on the 19.5 is rough so I thought I'd put a new one on it before it died. I'm just trying to see what I have because all the numbers are Sears. Maybe when I pull the blower cover off it'll have some real Briggs numbers. Thanks for a fine video, Buddy and pick me one! The ones it has are Model- 27E707 Type- 22631-EL and Code- 9809 1413. No wonder they went broke.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I hear ya! Yeah sears has a strange numbering system! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@fnaguitarplayer9 And now all the numbers except the current stuff is gone. And Briggs couldn't even find one of their own numbers for the opposed. Goofy outfit. I had to call my pal down the road that fixes them to verify it wasn't just a Sears number. Mine is an 89 and runnin' fine!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

@@lewiemcneely9143 thats crazy how they did them

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@fnaguitarplayer9 They tried to do too much. The pressure washer I was given had a bad pump. I could get the same one on Ebay for $70-ish. From them it was over $350! Can't handle that! I went with a bigger pump, hose (50 feet) lance, tips, extension pipe and have less than half of a new rig, even if the blasted motor has a plastic cam. Mercy, what a deal. A plastic cam. Ug.

[@thaveitagain9296]

Great video demonstration sir. Can you a video when the flywheel dont turn by hand sir. Thank you. Subscriber.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

If it won't spin then either the engine is locked up or the belt(s) are engaged. thanks for watching!!!

[@wondermart6947]

excellent video. thank you

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@stevendean1112]

Great job! Thank you!

[@bigjohn8549]

Hey buddy love the vidos have a question for ya i have 18 hp briggs opposed tiwn not getting gas iv rebuilt the card and fule pump and still no gas any ideas

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks! I'm actually fighting the same problem on this engine at the moment, first things to check, fuel filter/lines, make sure the vacuum line on the fuel pump on the front isn't loose or cracked, may need to rebuild at least the fuel pump part of the carburetor. I've done all of that so far on mine, all new lines, filter, fuel valve, rebuilt the carb twice and it still will run for like 20 minutes then run out of fuel. I have it narrowed down to a tank issue, also that reminded me, check the gas cap, if the vent isn't working it will build a vacuum and not let the fuel flow. hope this helps, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@udizzy1969]

good work brother, cheers my friend

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

+udizzy1969 Appreciate that, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@spaceace7920]

worked for me thanks

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@sheriwillhite2697]

Tim here, Sheri's husband, I have a horizonal opposed twin, can I put steel sleeves in it, It doesn't have them now? Does anyone know if it can be done?

[@robertmailhos8159]

Do you know what the rpm ,s for the starter on the twin cylinder opposed Briggs and Stratton enigne I have a opposed twin cylinder Briggs and Stratton enigne that is so hard to start I have to get a new one for the enigne unless you have a video on KZbin on to.repair the new style of starter on the engine

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I'm not sure of the RPM's right off hand for the starter, but i do have a couple videos on rebuilding another briggs starter, while its not the same starter it is still made very similar and may help, or you can pick up a aftermarket one off of amazon or ebay for around 20-40 dollars. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYK1fol9rspgprc and kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYOlk4Wvbb9jq9k hope this helps, thanks for watching!!!

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@fnaguitarplayer9 thanks for your help with this matter young man

[@oilsmokejones3452]

Good work, but thank goodness for fast forward..and if ya have an impact for the nut it's actually easier to pull the flywheel I think..

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks, sorry. Yeah, but some may not have necessary tools to pull the flywheel, its easier yes but not necessarily faster. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@thedarkphire33]

I have two tractors with 18 and 20 horsepower opposed twins just like this and they are dragging and draining the batteries maybe I should think about changing the starter. One I'm going to have to because the gear just stripped out on it. Fun.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I hear ya. They are bad about doing that. You could try new brushes but alot of times that doesn't help a whole lot. Check on ebay for aftermarket ones, get them for about 20-30 and they are really good, one tip though, if you do get a aftermarket one, change out the starter gear before you use it, thats the only bad thing on them. Thanks for Watching!

[@rjtuhuh1]

Thank You !!

[@wyattklingensmith8862]

Ive pulled the starter before this way and this time im pulling the flywheel. I just got my twin firing on both cylinders then the part the starter gear goes up and down on wore out.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I hear ya! its easier to do with the flywheel off. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@elevatorman427]

I tried saving money buy getting a starter for a Kohler twin off Ebay because my Kohler Vtwin starter at times was dragging like your briggs here was doing. I gave 42.00 for it the thing worked great for two weeks and now its the biggest piece of junk I have ever seen purposley did that though because Kohler wanted 200 for the starter I needed. I hate myself for getting that aftermarket still works and always will start fine on a cold motor however you run it awhile turn it off the starter just wants to spin the gear will not shoot up high enough to crank the engine for some reason I however on an opposed briggs once bought a starter from mfgsupply.com got it shipped and all for 36 and some odd cents was a real good starter the rest of the time I had the mower

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

You may have just gotten a bad one, you might want to contact the seller if it hasn't been to long and see if they will exchange it. There's a lemon in everything. It might need oiled too, check to see if the gear is free on it, if its sticking then that could be the problem. hope this helps! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@elevatorman427]

I got it back in October last year tried soon as it acted up to contact them and they said to send a video of the problem. I did exactly what they asked me too and even though it took two or three key turns cause starter was not acting right because it eventually did start they said the starter was working properly and for me to check my flywheel. I did take engine shroud off flywheel is in tact and looks great. I have tried some oil seems sometimes to help for a whie. For example today I run it awhile turned it off a few times started great every single time now next time its liable to act up. I do agree that there is a lemon in everything.When it does act up its kind of like its kicking up to a certain point but, not high enough to make contact with flywheel. The way this engine it you can watch the gear jump and spin the flywheel. Thanks for the input though probably will just buy one from Kohler bad as I hate too but, thanks again.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Its hard to say, its a shame they wouldn't replace it. your welcome! Is there any chance of rebuilding the original one that came off of it? Alot of times if it was just weak new brushes and cleaning the commutator helps alot. I have another video on doing that on a briggs starter

[@elevatorman427]

yeah its hard to say kinda disappointed me that they wouldn't even really willing to send me another one but, oh well life goes on not the worst thing in the world.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I know what you mean. It would me too.

[@old-fashionedJoe83]

The old gt6000 is worse...its a horizontal shaft engine and you just about have to to pull everything off the back side of the engine.

[@michaelbenoit248]

Mine was so bad it was moving so slow it won’t start. It’ll turn, wait, the turn again, & get hung up.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I hate that! Thanks for Watching!!!