NO START!! BRAND NEW MTD MOWER / BRIGGS AND STRATTON / NO COMPRESSION / MISSING PARTS? WTF?

[@Britec09]

IMPORTANT!!! Never turn the blade with spark plug still in the mower, it can start and you will lose your hand, happened to a friend of mine. I know this had no compression, but a novice would not know not to do that. Safety First and remove spark plug.

[@donaldgreen7471]

I've been mowing 7 acres in Florida for 14 yrs with a Murray 17.5 hp Briggs. Engine still runs good with good compression.Only one valve adjustment and minor carb issues in later years.

[@alexdreyzin7752]

I am so glad that there are still some people, who can fix things with their hands. It is bad that with every year less and less kids will get their fathers skills.

[@tapastrat]

True. I let my 3 year old take the spark plug out today. He felt like a god.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Yes, because most crap made today costs more to repair than just buying a new one, it's like ink jet inks costing as much as a whole new printer WITH inks as it does to buy replacement ink tanks, so people just threw them away and got new ones. When you can get a brand new carb for a Briggs for $13 on Ebay with free shipping, it's not even worth cleaning the old one out and replacing even the float.

[@TheIrishEnigma]

I've needed to retain almost nothing what my Dad taught me because I can just look up a tutorial on KZbin or something when I need it.

[@stellacatfish]

They need Dads first!

[@themowerman]

Alex Dreyzin yeah some many people would just trash it

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

My video has caused quite a stir in the #smallenginenation let me clear the air here. The owner of this mower bought 3 of these from a relatives local tool rummage sale last month. The mowers are new in box but are 2017 year models. Probably were mowers that didn't get sold at a box store and were auctioned off . He paid 120$ for 3 mowers of the exact make and model. 2 of them ran like a sewing machine and this one didn't till I fixed it. There is no store or receipt to return it to, nor was the owner worried about warranty. As a matter of fact he was ok to sink a little cash in it if I had to, with that said lets keep the comments clean and respectful. I Thank all of my viewers for their support MM1

[@beingsneaky]

ah i was wondering why no return?? lol. thought maybe to long after sale to return it. or just a lost receipt. but not bad for 40 dollars. plus your cost to fix it. how much ar those mowers down in the states each? and i would have not known about the Valve stem caps but thanks to this vid i now know about them lol.

[@chrisclark5204]

I had an older Briggs and Stratton engine that had no spark. I checked the coil and wire with ohm meter and both tested good for continuity. What could be cause of no spark?

[@mialouraymond3809]

prise de compression d une tondeuse ahahahahahahhahahhahhahahahahahah a virer

[@OneForTheSouth]

Two minutes in, I guess a stuck valve. A lot of the OHV engines do that if built new and then not run for a couple of years.

[@brandonscherff9344]

Chris Clark how old? If it had points try cleaning the oxide from them

[@jeffllind]

A real good, common sense explanation of the repair process by an experienced craftsman and quite good teacher.

[@themowerman]

jeffllind just how we like it

[@mjg263]

Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time to show the valve lash adj. procedure and how the newer generation of Briggs engines are laid out. I'm used to the previous generation of Briggs engines so this was good to see. Great diagnosis and troubleshooting!

[@1docg]

Nice to see someone actually FIX something rather than just start ordering parts until it runs again. Keep up the good work Dr.

[@themowerman]

Dave Gross it’s great to see a mower come back to life

[@fritzdoerring9058]

I have one son who replaces parts, and another who repairs wind Gens on site. Repairs props or whatever.

[@bobbg9041]

@@themowerman It never had life, it should come from the factory working!, what happened to Quality control? And if it failed to start on the first few pulls then whats it going to do during its expected lifespan? My first mower I bought 20 years ago it still runs, all I've ever done is change oil and sharpen the blades and empty the gas in the winter I let it sit for 5 years and used a differnt mower with a better bagger on it until it died Sears mower, so I pull the old original one out it started right up Its a scotts they don't even make them anymore, the tires slipped on my hills so I took an old bike tire and did retreads on it, runs right up the hills now, But I bought a Cub ridder 3 years ago used for 300 bucks that had about 45 hours on it and 3 pull behind tools gave the guy 300 bucks, yes I stole it he only used it 2-3 seasons.

[@rogerd4559]

I love these videos I have been fixing small engines all my life and always learn a new trick watching these videos. we are never too old or knowledgable to learn something from others!

[@rogerd4559]

nothing wrong with ordering parts Its a learning process. If the parts are reasonable it is a great way to fix things. what I was taught in the army. if the engine won't run in a jeep replace the engine. if it still won't run, replace the jeep and keep the old one for parts

[@dondudley5776]

Sir, I look at the video because I have that type of mower. Just wanted to see what you were doing. I enjoyed the whole video, it is people like you who keep our country going. God bless you!!

[@themowerman]

Don Dudley it was a great video

[@themowerman]

Don Dudley so many people would just trash it

[@johnedmiston885]

i have a similiar engine, but would like to raise the idle a bit, is there an adjustment? I see the rod connecting to the carb but is there a bracket that will raise it and thus adjust it a bit? thanks in advance

[@celticguy6405]

Must have been assembled on Monday morning or Friday afternoon

[@bobbymcclure3957]

To hung over monday ready to party on friday

[@frankbiz]

In China probably.

[@MrAquinas1]

Or a take your daughter to work day.

[@LiezerZero]

It was right before lunch.

[@stephenjackman6163]

celticguy6405 all assembly is automated now.

[@rbilardo47]

Thank you so much for this video. As I said earlier, I tried everything and my pressure washer still would not start. I decided to take the valve cover off, same as you did, and sure as heck, I had one valve stuck and wouldn't move. I did what you did, I sprayed and worked it til I got it to move, sprayed some more and kept pulling the pull cord and it started working on it's own, free again. I put the valve cover on and with one pull it started right up. Thank you again.

[@richardmiller3808]

I got a walmart snapper mower with a briggs engine on it and I will be honest I have found the engine to be very solid. I do a lot of mowing on hill sides and they're steep. I haven't hand any issues with my unit for over 3 years. It sits under the back porch with fuel in it all winter this year and in a matter of 5 pulls it started.

[@conner5611]

My 1996John Deere 14sb has pressurized oil and it starts on the first pull pretty good for a mower older than me

[@jeep146]

Really bad idea to leave fuel in the engine over a long period with out a fuel stabilizer. Here in the southern states the fuel will quickly turn and clog your carb. In the old days we could leave the fuel in with no problem, not any more. You have been lucky.

[@zerodegrees8]

@@jeep146 always leave fuel in all my engines never had an issue with winter storage. After a couple of years yes. I have never had any problems under a year of storage with bad fuel.

[@richardmiller3808]

@@jeep146 yes I know and as a OPE certified mechanic I should know better LOL. But I did leave my tiller in the building for over 2 years with a half a tank of gas and did have a little issue but nothing that couldn't be fixed without pulling the carb. Lucky for me it's a Troy-Bilt unit with a honda style engine. Pulled the drain plug on the bowl and shot it full of carb cleaner. Added about a table spoon of Marvel in the tank and added fresh gas. Fired it up and let it run till it quit. New gas and one pull done, runs like new.

[@ichoozjc]

Just fired up my cheap B&S today after it sat in the the garage, with fuel, through an Ohio winter. Started on the first pull.

[@goodboy1951]

Very impressed with your presentation. Thank you. I'm glad there are men like you to show guys like me how to work on small engines.

[@doublewide6]

This is a great video. There is a lot of good info. in this one. Good to see you back here on youtube. Please keep the videos coming. Big Thumbs UP! Bob

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

doublewide6 Repairs LLC thanks DW6! Have a great rest of the week!

[@seusco8351]

Great video because you walk us through your thought process while troubleshooting-you have good communication and educational skills-thank you.

[@juliehenderson1672]

Great diagnostics! Experience is underrated! Your knowledge is worth every dollar!

[@stevenbryant4718]

I really did buy a new mower from a hardware store and it didn't start. I was replacing a mower that I didn't want to work on, again. What I found was that the handle operated bail switch wasn't adjusted correctly. When they build these mowers they probably just spot check a few of them a day. This way they don't have to put oil in them just to have to take it right back out. Also less hours paid for inspectors. YOU are the one who bears this effort to save money!

[@murraystewartj]

You grabbing the part you needed form a bent crank mower brought back memories. Once worked for a rental place that did small engine repairs and we'd be swamped with mowers needing service every spring. First thing we did (before writing up the work order) was to pull the spark plug, tip the mower over and pull the starter cord to check for a bent crankshaft. Not surprisingly we ended up with quite a few donor mowers with tags reading "bent crank" on them. Always thought that "Bent Crank" would have made a great band name. The newer Briggs and Scrapiron engines were crap. We had an ancient 11HP B&S engine on a rebar bender. Never failed - even in the middle of winter we knew that beast would always start on the second pull. Not one, not three but two pulls. Funnily enough, once had a customer with a bent crank on a two-year-old Tecumseh powered mower. He insisted we replace the crank. Since virtually no one replaces a crankshaft on what is essentially a disposable engine, it was more than $200 for the part, a couple on months to get it in, plus the labor and other small parts to do a complete overhaul. He was happy to get his mower back, despite the fact that we told him before we started that could buy at at least three of the same cheap mowers brand new for the same cost. Many funny stories from that place. Good vid, loved your troubleshooting and how you explained the process. Cheers.

[@tazman9954]

I had a few come in like that myself and they just won't take no for an answer they want that mower fix because it was their dad's mower and did not want to junk it, and there was no complaint about the cost of fixing it either. They were glad to have the mower running. Now when one comes in I just place a new motor on the old frame. It's not worth my time, in the long run, fixing one. I lose money spending too much time on one piece of equipment.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Could be that mower had sentimental value he didnt mention, like it was his late father's mower, never know

[@rogerd4559]

In fifty years I've never had a mower with a bent crank. How do you bend a cast iron crank? they usually just snap that is what cast iron does! sounds like a phony excuse to keep lawnmowers for parts

[@gregorypeterman6216]

@@rogerd4559 I agree, something wrong with that story, how does pulling starter chord tell you crank is bent? Too many so-called mechanics never been to school.

[@murraystewartj]

@@rogerd4559 Well, Jim, maybe in 50 years you've managed to avoid hitting large, heavy objects with your mower. I can't attest to the quality of crankshafts in mowers that sell for a hundred or two bucks, but yes, they will bend when that rapidly spinning blade hits a large rock and stops the engine dead. All that energy has to go somewhere. I'm guessing that folks who had a crankshaft break wouldn't be bringing their mower in, as it would be very obviously dead. It is also possible that in some cases the crankshaft was not bent, but that the crankcase was deformed - same result - a repair that would cost way more than buying a new mower. We did have one customer who demanded we install a new crankshaft on his POS Tecumseh mower. Took three months to get it in and with parts and labour he could have bought two new mowers of the same quality. Customer is always right, right? Before accepting a mower for repair we'd always pull the spark plug, tip it over and give a few pulls on the cord. If the spotter saw the tell tale wobble in the blade we'd refuse service and recommend they buy a new mower. It was almost always the customers who asked if we would take the thing off their hands. As far as being a phony excuse to get old mowers for parts, ha! The few parts we might scavenge from a couple of mowers didn't come close to covering the cost of draining the oil and gas and hauling the wrecks off to the recycling place, plus they took up way too much space. Was definitely not a source of profit.

[@TPINSC]

You really did a great job.I have always enjoyed working on small engines. There's a lot of satisfaction in masking one run again.

[@todaywefly4370]

Oddly, even as a practicing mechanic, I was satisfyingly fascinated at watching this. Even after doing it all day. Go figure.

[@larrysmall3521]

You are one of the few people that I have seen using a cylinder leakage tool. I like them because they can give you a lot of information on a engine that will not run. I took a Harbor Freight mechanics stethoscope and replaced the mechanical end with a T fitting and a short piece of hose to turn it into an acoustical instrument. It is amazing how even a tiny air leak sounds like a tornado when you probe with the short piece of hose and pass it near the leak.

[@dennisjoiner3717]

I just did a valve adjustment on the same type of mower and engine from ACE Hardware. The intake valve was too tight and compression was coming back into the carb intake. It was a brand new machine.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

If it's too tight then the engine has overheated and stretched the intake valve

[@bushmaster2936]

@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 I really like your videos, but please, Please tell us how an intake valve can be "s t r e t c h e d". Is part of your sentence missing? I don't see any punctuation at the end of it.

[@OcotilloTom]

I used to love to tinker with old engines back in the late 50's and 60's. I kept my 1949 and 1957 Chushman motor scooters going by using a small collection of Cushman scooters and engines. Had to they were my only transportation!

[@ratdude747]

If you posted this a day earlier I'd swear it was an April Fools joke. I'm a bit surprised that this wasn't returned under warranty... lucky you had the part on a junk mower. ...and this is why my personal mower is a 1996 Lawn Boy. Built like a tank, and far simpler construction. Not for everybody, but for me, it works (and I don't have to worry about issues like this!)

[@richardmiller3808]

You can't beat a Lawn-Boy two stroke engine. Just have to watch fuel you get these days that you get and make sure there isn't too much Ethanol content and find a quality 32:1 mix to run.

[@ratdude747]

@@richardmiller3808 I scored a bunch of synthetic blend bottles (for 5 gallons of fuel) for 99¢ a pop at Walmart last year. I don't even use 5 gallons a season it seems... So far its been good oil.

[@joegilly1523]

Lol liked how you said it’s been a long time sense I cranked over a new mower . Got a new cub cadet tractor last year ,21 years since a new one . 24 hp zero turn . It was a Beautiful thing .My snapper is 30 years old first pull every time. Two if it’s the first start of the year .

[@ThunderBolt-rm8cr]

should send this video to briggs and stratton as a learning curv video of what not to do. i thought they test these things before leaving the factory.

[@rogerd4559]

the spot test them these days, that means they grab five random mowers out of 100, test them if all five work then they pass all 100 that is how quality control works If one out of the five fails, then they may test all 100

[@lowndeswhatley960]

I found a brand new looking mower on the side of the road years ago. It ran for maybe 3 minutes before quitting - the paint was only half-cooked off the muffler. Never cut any grass, sparkling clean everywhere, but no compression when I pulled the cord. Took it home, pulled the head and found a very small brass screw stuck under the intake valve holding it open. I found an empty screw hole in the throttle butterfly valve shaft, replaced the errant screw and used that mower for years. It was/is the only "new" mower I've ever had!!

[@Don_ECHOguy]

I enjoyed this and the suspense was killing me for the first 5 mins as to why a brand new mower was a no go. Must have been a Monday or Friday built mower. lol Subscribed!

[@rogerd4559]

I think they hired a bunch of Mexicans that managed to get over Trumps wall

[@brettb.7425]

I own a small engine business and have to say that you are exactly the type of person I’d probably enjoy working with. You know your stuff and think about what you’re doing. Great job my friend!

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Hard to find good knowledgeable small engine mechanics these days Thanks for the comment

[@stevenb6984]

Briggs & Stratton quality control was not present for final assembly of this engine. Great repair video!

[@METALMAN4Wii]

Made in China Now What did you expect?

[@stevenb6984]

@@METALMAN4Wii Says the person who can't spell "exspect!" Glad you caught your spelling error though! And I am quite aware about where Briggs & Stratton makes their engines, so I am not surprised!

[@METALMAN4Wii]

@@stevenb6984 They care about Mass Production for as cheap as possible not quality.

[@harryrathien1082]

briggs quality control hasn't been present for years. Sadly, kohler seems to be going the same way. Seems like the best quality engines on the market now are kawasaki, honda, and even the chinese honda knock-offs.

[@METALMAN4Wii]

@@wilburfinnigan2142 That's why some people want the older engines and is a hot item at Flea Markets.

[@eightycutty]

I pulled the Craftsman version of this mower that has the deck wash from a salvage yard last spring & looked like brand new with the bag. Had to pull the plastic carb apart to remove a spec of trash from the jet. Been running like new ever since. I'll never understand the move to the plastic carb & no filter

[@paulshortall1461]

school boy error from briggs and Stratton. and an easy fix when you know what you're doing. will subscribe . so I can pick up a few pointers

[@themowerman]

paul shortall it’s so bad hay

[@rogerd4559]

yes, he schooled me on that repair I would have missed that valve stem cap as I am old school of the days of flat head non-rocker arm lawnmower engines of 50 years ago

[@chrisl8355]

I've got a Briggs and Stratton that I've had for 11 years. I bought second hand from the original owner. She offered it to me for $100 when I bought my current house from her. She bought it new and had it for about 4 years. It's been a great lawn mower.

[@computernostalgia6293]

Thank you so much! My Murray is finally running again

[@themowerman]

Computer Nostalgia cool

[@HOLLESjr]

I had a Young Lady bring one to me on Tuesday same mower and motor and it had no compression . This mower has never cut grass. the Valve caps were in place and the valve clearance was fine. The factory forgot to Torque and Lock the Connecting Rod Bolts, one was laying in the oil Sump case when i took it apart. The Store told her that she had no Warranty is why i looked at it for her. It busted the Rod and chewed up the crank. Thank You for your Video on this one. I learned something New.

[@johnzima9505]

Sir I hope you feel better and Thank You for your video!

[@nineballing1]

It is funny how KZbin works. I was watching a video to help me figure out why my pressure washer isn't working properly and the next thing I know, I am watching a guy getting a lawn mower to run. Glad you got to the bottom of the problem and got it running. I suspect that mower engine was either built just before quitting time on a friday or first thing monday morning. Just a hunch.

[@tomclark3592]

Very good work sir. I enjoyed the video and will be watching more. Thank you.

[@duffkw]

WOW ! Briggs&Stratton used to (USED) to be the top engine to buy, nowadays they are throw away boat anchors. I switched to Kawasaki engines years back, never had an issue, Honda also makes a great engine, my tiller ruins like a sewing machine on crack every year. I have another tiller, old 6.5 HP B&S, have to work on it every season. I hate to buy foreign products, but as I understand it, B&S sold out years back. The cheap labor and parts shows in the quality of workmanship and longevity of their products. I figured “Intake Valve” from the start, never noticed the valve stem cap until you showed us, awesome find and fix. Salute !!

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

kenneth duffield thanks! Agreed on how the quality of Briggs homeowner engines has diminished in the last 10 years. Honda and even some Honda clones are far superior to the Briggs garbage being produced

[@davidmayhall6567]

Cotton rope shoved into the cylinder would work as well then install valve spring and keeper. I fixed my minibike many times!

[@joevignolor4u949]

The only risk using the rope method is that the rope can get tangled up inside the cylinder and it won't come out. That might not be a big deal with a minibike or lawn mower engine because its easy to take the cylinder head off to get the rope out. However, I've seen it happen on a car engine and when it does you will need to pull the head off, which is a lot of work on a car engine. That's why I don't ever use the rope method.

[@teocdambuster]

Great video! Thanks for sharing this. I have a Snapper we purchased in the summer of 2018. I went through all the steps to take it out of the box, etc. Snapper says if it doesn't crank on the first pull they will replace it for free. Well, it didn't crank on the first pull. Once I got it cranked, it ran very rough and that was concerning. I didn't do anything to it in the way of working on it because I didn't want to void the warranty. I mowed the lawn a few times and the motor kept missing and sputtering. The gas was brand new and I had added fuel stabilizer per instructions, so I knew that wasn't the problem. Several times during the first 3 times of using it that summer it would die on me. Our lawn is not large at all and the grass it not thick. I called Snapper and they acted like they really weren't concerned but gave me two phone numbers of supposed repair shops. I tried calling them both that day. One of the numbers was not even a working number and the other never answered on any day I called. I ended up pulling out a mower I had purchased years before and put the same gas in it as the new one. It cranked right from the start and i used it to mow the lawn the rest of the summer. I pulled the new one out last year and it cranked but ran so bad and eventually went dead. Again, I did nothing to it because of the warranty. I ended up using the older one the entire summer. So, I talked to WalMart where I purchased the Snapper and they advised me to call the Asurion who I had purchased the extended warranty with via WalMart. I called and they ended up reimbursing us the tull retail value. I have since tried working on the Snapper and the first thing I did was take out the spark plug. The gap was completely closed on the plug from the factory. I then checked the ignition coil/magneto armature. There was no gap set on it either. It was flush against the flywheel. I performed a spark test on the spark plug and the ignition coil and there was no spark. I replaced the spark plug and the ignition coil and made certain that the gaps were to specifications. I have a spark now but the engine still will not start. I am at a loss as to what to do now, unless it is the compression, carburetor, or flywheel key?

[@djuntion]

I had learned something here. Thank you for your Video!

[@isaiahindigenousaboriginal5261]

The troubleshooting is what did it for me I love that part. Thanks for this very well lesson. Have any more videos where the problem solving put you to work on your channel?

[@ThePaPappy]

Same problem on same motor ! Guess I'll have to check the valves ! You might have solved my problem.

[@kbbacon]

Hee, heee, heee! I've been a mechanic r over 40 years and this kind of thing still tickles me. I picked one up that had no rear wheel adjusters. The people were mowing with the deck dragging on the ground. They gave it to me because it was hard to push. Less than 1 tank of gas through the mower. Good vid!!

[@raysecoy9187]

You have some skill keep up the good videos, I like seeing people figure stuff out

[@themowerman]

Ray Secoy it was a great fix

[@jimsimmons289]

Very nice troubleshooting. I was wondering why that rocker seemed so loose when you were going through the video, but you nailed it. Thanks for the tip.

[@SWBoeing]

looks like someone at B&S assmbly line was sleeping to put on the vale stem cap that will piss me off to if i got a new lawn mower that did not start out of the box

[@supermarioisacat]

There wasn't a single drop of oil underneath the valve cover so that engine hadn't even been tested ONCE at the factory. What an amazing display of Briggs & Stratton quality control procedures. Although, nice job on the video and glad to see someone not using a power tool on every single bolt.

[@144Jacob]

Great Job. Started up on the 1st pull!!!

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

All my motorcycles always started on one kick. Sometimes it was the 24th kick tho.

[@stevenbryant4718]

Editing is what it is all about.

[@rogerd4559]

Well... second pull lol

[@deepbludude4697]

I have fixed 2 of these newer plastic carb briggs recently, the carbs failed within 3 months of purchase according to PO's. I attempted rebuild both caught fire just insanely stupid. One had a bad valve I just scrapped the motors. I replaced those BnS with 2 predator 173cc, one of them had a bad pilot jet which I was able to find one in my many parts bins, both are going strong, the predator motor seems ok for what it is, make sure if you swap out to follow procedure for first oil change lots of stuff comes out mostly assembly millings. All that said I have an old 10HP briggs that is from the mid 60s still running strong. Good info here thanks...

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Pot metal Carbs don't die they are murdered. Plastic carbs warp like crazy. We are doomed! Job security for us!

[@Samuel-I]

"Ain't got no gas in it" Carl Childers... mmm hmmm

[@yqwgjsg]

That’s gaaaaasss

[@skully214]

I reckon.. mmh hmm

[@stwhite5135]

@@skully214 You guys are a hoot! mmh hmm

[@eltigre249]

You didn't watch the video - no compression.

[@stwhite5135]

@@eltigre249 We were mocking a movie called Sling Blade. Watch it. You'll understand. You're welcome.

[@newwomyn]

Good job. I respect those that use their brains and their hands. So rare in modern times.

[@motoman5023]

I've seem a few of these brand new ones have valve issues come to our shop

[@jimnoyb1209]

That was a well thought out, well made video. I no longer have a fear of that OHV cover. Thanks

[@truthsmiles]

Good thing it never started or you'd have a bent valve to deal with too. Nice video!

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Mechanically impossible to bend a valve due to missing lash cap

[@joevignolor4u949]

Bent valves from interference occurs in car engines because when the timing belt breaks the camshaft becomes mechanically uncoupled from the crankshaft while the crankshaft is still spinning and some of the valves are being held open when they should be closed. That's not likely to occur on an engine like this with this type of problem.

[@parkerlich5617]

That mower with the bent crank that you took the part from reminds me of a ten horse Briggs engine on a brush shredder I had that got a bent crank. Took it to an implement repair shop that couldn’t straighten it after two attempts. With nothing to lose, I set it up in my shop press at home and within a half hour had the crank straightened to within +/- 0.001”. Shredder back up and running fine at $0.00 cost!

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Awesome!

[@peterszar]

Mr. Medic; I learn so much from your video's, thanks for sharing.

[@themowerman]

Peter Szarow he is great

[@e.stgo.7998]

2021 recently bought one and won't start. Is leaking oil very profusely from the valve cover. Tight up the 3 bolts and leakage became greater. After watching this video I'll return it to the store I bought it. 👍👍THANKS FOR SHARING. YOUR VIDEO WAS VERY HELPFUL TO TAKE MY DECISION 👍👍👍👍👍

[@aldricracette4813]

Glad you're back

[@blipco5]

Another problem that pops up is, while mowing, sometimes you'll hit a low branch or a rock and you'll cave in the valve cover a little and the cover will contact the rocker arms causing the valve(s) not to close all the way. Be mindful of the valve cover for damage.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

After flushing the stem with a lot of carb cleaner, a drop of engine oil would be a good idea before lighting off this engine. It might take a while to get oil up there and you want to promote longevity.

[@rogerd4559]

come on man! this isn't a car engine I'm sure at 4300 RPM that valve stem had plenty of oil splashed on it in time

[@laarshegdish6016]

Thanks for this video! I just learned some great repair tips on these series (500-series) Briggs & Stratton engines. I've got one of these I pulled off a mower I found on the curb. Engine runs, but the owner hit a large rock in the grass and broke a hole in the oil sump. It's good for parts and would have been glad to have given it to you just for the valve keepers alone!

[@PatrickKelly-lz3pv]

I don't own a lawnmower but you had me engrossed from start to finish thank you.

[@andrewwatt9770]

Hi that was a very informative video on lawnmowers. I have just sold my Briggs and Stratton lawnmower and brought one with an electric start. Due to ill health I can’t use a pull cord. I have purchased Mountfield SP 46 LS 46 cm self propelled. 27kg 166cc can’t wait for it to come next week.

[@tjs77tsa]

I've seen three of these that wouldn't start right after they were bought customer had assembled all three had over filled oil.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Hmm, my 2017 Snapper with Briggs mower came with a 15 oz oil bottle it said to fill the motor with, I dont see how anyone could overfill it then.

[@jayp3564]

Quality control issue to me. I've had a Briggs and Stratton mower before and it was great. I just bought a new mower with the Honda engine in it just because someone told me that they bought a mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine a few years ago and had to return it because it wouldn't start. I paid little more for my Honda engine but have been happy with it. Cranks on the first try! One funny thing is to me is the smoke in this Briggs and Stratton Engine took way longer to clear than my Honda. 5 seconds and mine was gone.

[@charlesyoung6568]

Really learned some great stuff here, thanks, great video very informative

[@themowerman]

Charles Young it’s great hay

[@docthebiker]

90 seconds in I knew where the problem was (2 valves so 50/50), but the cause came as a complete surprise, so thumbs up. I wonder how many caps drop off as the motor goes down the assembly line? I don't think it can be too many or B&S would have valve caps littering the floor and would have taken countermeasures. You got a rare one I think.

[@pneulab]

Always take of the spark plug cap before rotating the engine.

[@bobbg9041]

whats a spark plug cap? I didn't know Spark plugs wore hats! Or did you mean spark plug wire? I knew what you ment but lets not confuse the kiddos! ( anything reading under 39 years old) I would say 50 but that piss a lot more people off! and they know better.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

Why’d you delete your comment about the leak test?

[@bushmaster2936]

@@daviddou1408 Point of the leak test was to determine if it was the valves (and exactly which one was not closed) or the piston rings causing the lack of compression. Mowermedic1 did a great job on this issue and I'm sure that a lot of people were enlightened by the test procedure and repair.

[@rogerd4559]

@@bobbg9041 what the hell are you ranting about? he made a typo and you knew that

[@user-jr8gp2en9b]

Excellent and professional job.

[@ratoneJR]

You said " This mower is ready to go back in service". Untrue. That mower is ready to enter service. lol. BTW...You did a great job, congrats.

[@delekham1863]

I tend to agree with everything you said!! Great Job Medic Man!!

[@themowerman]

Lol

[@IRMacGuyver]

You are technically correct, the best kind of correct. i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/909/991/48c.jpg

[@rogerd4559]

@@IRMacGuyver he is even politically correct

[@rogerd4559]

Enter the service? Which branch? The navy Army or Airforce?

[@RandyFelts2121]

My wife bought me a B&S Murry from Target in 1980. I had it 20 years before the wheels feel off. Now the manufacturer presses a button some where when they want you to buy a new one. :)

[@modelflyer2003]

I have bought mowers with Briggs and Stratton engines for years. Then I bought a Husqvarna mower with a Honda engine and never looked back.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

modelflyer2003 why did you downgrade?

[@loktom4068]

@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 Lol.

[@notajp]

These days, I’d rather have Honda than Briggs. They seem to be better built. I had an old HR214 in the shop last year that after better than 20 years was just starting to use some oil. Honed the cylinder (no ridge), gave it some new rings, and she ran like new again. Most of these newer Briggs push mower engines won’t still be running in 25 years!

[@heavymechanic2]

Its my understanding Honda engines are made just as cheap as Briggs to save money on manufacturing and guarantee repeat business. Everything is disposable today, nothing is made to last.

[@rbilardo47]

It took a keen eye to notice that valve, good job. I have a Honda 5.0 pressure washer, I always run gas out before storing. I changed the oil in it, put fresh gas so I can wash my vinyl siding. I was all set, and it wouldn't start. The ignition coil was bad, I changed it, and removed carburator, no good. Bought new Carb, still no start, I do have good spark and a new plug. I'm lost. lol

[@0Myles0]

You've got a clever customer. A little hide and seek there to test the mettle of his mechanic. You passed the test with flying colors.

[@Joe_Mission]

I tend to doubt that someone who employs someone else to fix their lawnmowers has set this up as a test.

[@GeneralChangFromDanang]

@@Joe_Mission I probably would if I was a bored rich person.

[@blipco5]

I've read a bunch of comments so I thought I'd throw this out there....I have a 52 year old Wheel Horse snow blower with a six horsepower Tecumseh engine. It starts every year with one slow pull of the cord. I added electric start that I pulled off an Ariens that somebody left out for the trash collector. The old Wheel Horse shows no sign of giving up. It got me through a ten foot snowfall winter no problem.

[@tonym6920]

I would have just returned it!

[@jerrynewberry2823]

Walkin’ Man That's why he got it back. First 30 seconds.

[@BrBCatsOnFireLuL]

@@jerrynewberry2823 First 30 seconds is an intro.

[@tarstarkusz]

He probably bought them last year.

[@1835dueber]

nobody fixes anything anymore

[@METALMAN4Wii]

The customer could have bought them from a Sears that was closing?

[@awizardalso]

I just subscribed and hit the bell. I have the nickname 'wizard' as I've been fixing things for most of the last 55 years of my life, and sometimes fix things deemed to be unfixable. I also build contraptions from junk I find that someone was throwing away. My last project was rigging my 1938 Singer industrial sewing machine to do leather work to operate from bicycle pedals. I have a video of it on my KZbin channel and I have made improvements to it since I made the video. I also have a lawn mower that looks like that one you just fixed. Thanks for making these videos as I can always learn some things from others.

[@krhunter5977]

Very interesting. I need to keep my mower running without cutting off in few minjutes

[@jacky445]

That is Chinesium quality for you brother.

[@watermanone7567]

Nice fix: I had a customers brand new mower with an auto choke that was never hooked up correctly. Took me about 5 minutes and he was underway. Thanks for the video.

[@dennischildress5327]

No such thing as quality workmanship anymore, throw it together and get it out the door, Great video

[@whalesong999]

It's an ongoing phenomenon and not likely to improve. I was a Sears tech for lawn and garden and some of the products were sorely lacking. We were having more issues with Tecumseh engines at the time - 1999 - 2004.

[@joevignolor4u949]

I'm surprised they don't test run the engines on a test jig before shipping them. Auto manufacturers do this to auto engines before the engine is installed in the vehicle. The only issue might be shipping the engine after it has had gas in it but there are ways around that problem.

[@markmaloney8154]

I had a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower for twenty some years. I only changed the oil once in all that time. It started on first pull every time, even after sitting in the garage through cold winters for twenty some years, it started first pull every time. I would buy another one if I needed it, but I now live in an apartment and no longer have to mow...

[@donnyinalaska]

I use to repair Briggs back in the day, but since they started using stupid plastic carburetors... I never own another for the rest of my life.... Nothing but junk...

[@dagrote1]

To each his own, I guess, but I like the plastic carbs. They're easy to disassemble and clean out. You can easily reconfigure them for just about any set up. Just pull out a tab here, replace a stem there, pull out and insert another diameter Venturi sleeve if necessary, and you're ready to go. I also like the fact that they don't rust or get corroded over time. Even better, if you have to replace one, they can be bought for under $20.

[@HobbyOrganist]

Plastic CAMSHAFTS now too according to the parts list, f'king PLASTIC cams now, can you believe it!!!! Even my $700 49 cc scooter made in China has all metal in the engine and ball bearings on the cam

[@donnyinalaska]

@@HobbyOrganist it dont surprise me none ...lol all their kind can think about is money and who they are gonna screw to get it...

[@themowerman]

I hate the new ones

[@raheelhameed1]

@@HobbyOrganist probably they figured they could not use plastic in the engine hehe.

[@Barbara-cr5zj]

I purchased 3 Briggs and Stratton mowers between 2010 and 2015. I've had problems with every single one of them. It seems I have only one or two of them running at a time and one or two that is in a state of needing repair. Thank you so much for your videos. I won't buy another Briggs and Stratton especially since they have cheap plastic carburetors.

[@Barbara-cr5zj]

If I could take my mowers to a small engine repair place, I would. However, I don't know of one in my area. So I am on my own. Thank you so much for your videos. I don't have a Dad or Brother to help me.

[@mickgatz214]

Really enjoyed your informative video! Greetz frum Australia Mate... :)

[@themowerman]

Mick Gatz it’s was great video

[@galactica5]

I have had 2 B&S engines with valves incorrectly set from the factory. One was a push mower that would die when it got warm and the valve stem expanded, holding the valve open. The other was my zero turn mower with a v twin OHV that were set too loose and the compression release would not work.

[@themowerman]

galactica5 it’s crazy hay

[@mcarroll598]

Wow Briggs, what happen to you guys?? Good video though!

[@dannmarceau]

Other than the fact they moved to China?

[@donnyinalaska]

They got a good name back in the day due to their good product.. now all they sell is a name with out the quality ... typical plastic junk. We bought a 3.5 hp mower from homedepot 2 summers ago, with maybe 60 hours on it... the first season was good , the 2nd season I had to take the carb. apart and clean out the white plastic goo in the plastic fuel bowl. Today , I went to use it for the first time this season, same problem. Even changed out all the fuel.... Odd part is , back in the 70's , I hated working on peoples Tecumseh Mowers. I think now I would rather have one of those old Tecumseh Mowers... at least it had a metal carb on it...lol

[@randygreen8916]

Good job, most people would have just returned the lawnmower back to where they purchased it. I like to find out why or what the problem is and fix it.

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Briggs used to be the best small engine you could get. My father had a rear tine rototiller that was made in the 60's. It still runs today! I have a 3 year old Briggs mower that needs to be " babied" for one reason or another every time you try and start it. Garbage.

[@warpedphreak]

Quit Babying it and FIX it then lol. EVERY brand has their "oh shit" moments. It happens. Goosfabah bub. You pay a worker $10-12hr and push them like a machine, bound to have a few fuck ups. and the owner/ recorder, got these for a song and making money for his knowledge off a few minutes of work

[@Voxguitarsrock]

It was fixed by a Briggs authorized repair dealer 3 times. The 3rd time thay said it was in the design and nothing they could do much about it. Thanks for the input though

[@tylerfrankel5374]

Finally know what the pulsing whine is when pulling over these newer briggs. They have reed valves in the breathers now... I'm used to the old ones where they just had a straight pipe from the case and oil poured out if you tilted the engine the wrong way lol

[@zerodegrees8]

mower is ready to go back in service, but its never been in service XD

[@beingsneaky]

good point.. lol

[@gregorypeterman6216]

You can't see him servicing it?

[@mikeure1528]

if it wasn't for people like you, mowers like that could end up in the landfill. it is nice to know that repairs like this can be done and that the information is being shared, thanks!

[@jaybee2344]

This is more examples of mass assembly. If BS wasn't so worried about profits. They would run each engine after final assembly.

[@brandonscherff9344]

Jason Buis they run each engine, or are supposed to

[@HobbyOrganist]

@@brandonscherff9344 That's only as good as the joker who is supposed to do it, too easy I guess to slack off and skip a few and send them down the line "PASSED"

[@JesusTorres-qr1gz]

Gentilmen, very noble of you to share this technical information with us, very well documented, to you and everyone that way or another collaborated with this outstanding information my gratitude, very nice indeed, keep up the good work.

[@wpowerwagon]

Because now days they build things to damn fast, so they care for quantity then quality!!!

[@kennethm.pricejr.8921]

I greatly appreciate this video. My 2016 190 cc Briggs and Stratton turned out to have a stuck intake valve. Why it stuck, I have no idea. All the parts were there. It was easy enough to free up with Gunk. Running great now!!

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Those new Briggs walk behind engines are trash, I hate them. It was a sad day when the Quantum got retired.

[@dragon81heart]

Fearless I love all of the old flathead Briggs. Simple but over engineered design that usually outlasts the deck (or a few decks for that matter as I have one engine that’s still going from 1989 and it’s outlived 3 decks now lol)

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

@@dragon81heart Those were good engine's. Same here, I have a few sitting behind my shed, anytime I get a mower with a shot engine, I just go back their grab one and throw it on.

[@davef.2811]

I have a 28 y.o. Quantum 5.0 that still runs great with only minimal repair work needed over the years. And, I'm a small equip. mechanic and have many different types of engines.

[@1978garfield]

I think the EPA is what killed them.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

@@1978garfield It is, I spoke to a Briggs rep in 2017 less than a year before the Quantum was off the shelf and that is exactly what he told me. However they could have made a better OHV engine than these pieces of crap with their plastic carbs, like the ones on the pressure washers with the normal walbro carb, however those arent so great either, the governor loves to self destruct in those fairly often, so overall the new line of their residential engines are garbage unfortunately. The older ones all had a good Industrial made quality to them, those days are long gone...

[@randybeard6040]

I bought a 3hp murray push mower for $39 from a Gibson store about 45 years ago, that engine never let me down, I did shear several pins in the flywheel but this engine lasted for over 20 years until it just ran out of compression. I mounted the engine on a wooden frame for Posterity Sakes but threw it away during my last move, now I wish that I had kept it to show the new mechanics that Briggs use to make a Great Engine...

[@chuckster3629]

That new mower was obviously never started and tested at the factory. For shame, B&S.

[@danishghostrider]

That is kind of disappointing, B&S are usually great engines

[@Nolanyoyo]

it probably passed the compression tests before the spring fell off

[@MarkPalmer1000]

Obvious factory defect. They build these little mower engines in such a high quantities that I doubt they could test run every single one off the lines. They probably just pull random production samples that go to testing. The thing with Briggs though is problems aren’t often catastrophic, the engines are very easy to fix, and parts are readily available.