Mower Has A Blown Head Gasket?! Again?!

Replacing the head gasket on this 2010 John Deere LA115 riding lawn mower, again. Thankfully it's not a big deal, really. The blown head gasket made the mower hard to start and was showing blue colored smoke from the exhaust. Oil was even dripping from the fuel pump due to the extra pressure from some of the exhaust entering the crankcase through the oil passages where the leak occurred. If the head gasket was not replaced the engine would eventually burn up its oil supply and could seize up as a result. So it's important to replace the head gasket when symptoms arise. This is a Briggs & Stratton overhead valve (OHV) motor, very common on lawn mowers and lawn tractors of all sizes. In this video you will see how I diy replace the head gasket on this motor, actually for the second time.
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[@mikejohnson9586]

My 2012 D100 lasted me over 10 years without problems until now; a blown head gasket. The video helps a lot.

[@mattb9664]

My 2009 LA115 with 305 hours had its fuel pump impulse vent clog with and leak oil, and then refused to keep running. Once warmed up, it would start and run for about 5-10 seconds, but then it would die because it wasn't getting constant fuel..because of the impulse clog. Cleaned the fuel pump and was able to start and run it, and finish a simple backyard dethatch/scarify..but it needs a head gasket. First symptom was the smoke coming out of the oil-fill..before I even did the oil change. Never had that issue before.

[@HB-yq8gy]

Thank you one-stop complete video start to finish!

[@AlJacksonSongwriter]

You're the man ! .. and you performed that mower surgery with "Covid Belly". Unbelievable.

[@titonevarez6260]

very informative im very confident i can do this after seeing the video thank you

[@BBBILLY86]

My John Deere D110 blew the head gasket at 65 hours. In hind site its been smoking for at least 2 years on and off. Sometimes VERY badly. Engine is covered in thick coating of oil and dirt. Thanks for this great video. Should help repair my beloved JD. As to JD and B&S.... shame on you both.

[@zaga416]

Thanks for sharing, I lmao the part where she chasing you for the mower

[@clairkrause6656]

Yep, same problem on my Toro/Wheelhorse tractor with B&S single engine. After it blew the 2nd gasket I gave the tractor away and bought a JD tractor with a Kawasaki twin engine. I hope I don't have to deal with blown head gaskets again. It smoked like a steam engine,

[@angusfoley1249]

Nice video, informative and easy to follow. Thanks

[@robert_b9251]

Going to give this a shot .. save me hundreds in inflated repair cost.. problem is I don’t have all the tools like ft pound wrench

[@contact4mwy7]

Foot pound ratchet can be bought fairly cheap nowadays.

[@Metallica1071991]

I'm on head gasket # 3 in my LA110, just rolled 200hrs.

[@tunnelwind1]

on changing out the head gasket when all is clean and ready to put back together. can you use permatex copper spray a gasket on the part were you get the blow by. would that hold any better. or just replace the gasket?

[@markjohnson7508]

You forgot to do valve lash .. .004 intake .006 exh.. Prolly Heads warped if you torque them correctly last time. Take valves springs keepers off and take the head to a machine shop . Valve job and a replane..

[@thomasfardy9936]

Perfect video

[@therealwillie2024]

I got over 4 years on a troy bilt from 2018 before I got tired of decompression gear not working and I swapped it out for another lemon engine...

[@mR_Reddexe]

Clean the top of your battery! Believe it or not, but dirt/grim on the top of your battery will drain it.

[@contact4mwy7]

Interesting! I will do that, thanks!

[@candlewoodmowing25]

I have 2011 JD D110 with 19.5 HP Briggs and Stratton single cylinder engine, and had flawless engine performance until 242 hours. A valve rocker arm came loose; John Deere mobile maintenance repaired for $200. Now at 286 hours I had blown head gasket and valve seat that needed repair/replacement. Total cost $490. I am somewhat disappointed. It appears that valve issues are common with these single cylinder B and S Engines, and that twin cylinder B and S engines are more reliable.

[@contact4mwy7]

I haven't heard a lot about valve or valve seat failure to know how common it is. Two head gaskets so far. Other than that, and one battery replacement, our 2010 JD has held up well.

[@MrEddieWoods]

I got 2000 hours on my factory head gaskets

[@ImSrry4BeingWhite]

How long did the head gasket before this last?

[@contact4mwy7]

I think the factory one lasted 5 or 6 years when I changed it out the first time.

[@piotrpodlesny2092]

Everything sounds good except what is #of that gasket kit.

[@contact4mwy7]

The kit I bought had 3 model numbers. It was listed on eBay as this: BRIGGS AND STRATTON 796584 699168 692410

[@schenard1]

Dumb question. Do you have to drain the oil prior to doing this?

[@contact4mwy7]

I did not drain the oil, so I would say no you don't have to either.

[@schenard1]

Great! Thanks.

[@reidpomerleau2682]

How do you turn the motor by hand?

[@contact4mwy7]

I placed my hands on the screen on top of the motor and turned it that way.

[@reidpomerleau2682]

Runs perfect thank you!

[@wobblysauce]

Pretty much it all covered, as for the gaskets... find someone with the other model, and then you can both get an extra.

[@contact4mwy7]

Very good point! Otherwise, what am I gonna do, hang the extra on a nail in the garage?! Lol

[@wobblysauce]

Or next engine you buy... you already got the gaskets.

[@quangthai5849]

Didn’t show How to adjust valve