Aftermarket Camshaft Scam! What's Going On?

[@satchelh]

I read an article a few years ago about the success and longevity of B&S as a company. The number one factor cited was parts availability. I guess that's over. The big box stores are to blame. They demand manufacturers meet a certain price point to carry the brands. That's why Levi's, Carharrt, Milwaukee and B&S (just to name a few) are all made outside the US now. In the end it boils down to higher profits and we the consumer are stuck with overpriced disposable junk. Yes, it is a scam.

[@andrewnorris1514]

just like politics. You don't matter

[@cdoublejj]

i blame at least partially the consumer, always chasing the lowest cost. in general as whole on the topic of chinese everything

[@davidvishloff6383]

Milwaukee has been chinese owned for a long time. That's why they are made in china.

[@chaunceylocklear3661]

Yep. Short term “gains.” No one feels pride in the longevity and quality anymore. Reputation doesn’t mean what it once did, until someone else comes along and does it better.

[@mariannwatt2678]

They say if it was maid in the usa we could not afford the products so we buy from china one every year decause thevproduct is junk just give me the one made in usa for christ sake and i will pay more what's the diff ha ha

[@donandwendylaprise8267]

Hi Taryl thanks for the videos, I have been a mechanic for 46 years and it is a descusting how cheap the parts of gotten, more expensive and no availability, parts are so cheaply made now a days we definitely are being scammed, people bring in PoulanPro to be fixed, can't get the parts and are so cheaply made. You are such a down to earth guy, there is nothing phoney about you, you make the best and most interesting videos. Thanks again Take care Be safe

[@andrewnorris1514]

WE LOVE DACTYL. From the land of Sky Blue Waters

[@jasonverner1]

Doesn't what your working on I come across all kinds of brand parts failures.

[@Wayoutthere]

Maintain your older or even vintage equipment ppl, they are vastly superior in build quality. Especially in the times to come.

[@MunkyWrench]

Absolutely

[@treeroofgrass]

Yup! My friend sold me his old B&S edger from the mid 70’s….. still runs like a clock

[@MunkyWrench]

@@treeroofgrass and will for many years to come with some simple maintenance

[@dekoldrick]

And I get questions why I keep picking up discarded lawn equipment and repairing them. Working in lawn service, it's cheaper to just switch to a back up mower if one breaks down than it is to just have one mower and have to order parts, miss days of work waiting for parts in the mail, installing new parts if the weather allows (temperate climate, lots of rain), and rigorous testing to make sure the part is installed or working as it should. I have received defects that set back repairs for a few days and if it wasn't for owning more than one piece of equipment, I'd lose money for a week.

[@MunkyWrench]

@@dekoldrick I have a minimum of 2 of everything so no down time

[@bow3123]

I've seen Briggs turn out some serious junk, & I've seen what I thought were junk suppliers (Rui xing) become Briggs OEM suppliers. It's no wonder Briggs went bankrupt. I'm curious to see if their new owners will support the existing parts stream. Camshafts aren't the only Briggs parts that have become unobtainable. Thank you Taryl for trying these aftermarket "scamshafts"!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@jima3129 I'd wager the starter is small ,but they use it for everything from a 5 to a 18hp (or whatever is the biggest) single cylinder. Add a compression release and you can use a downsized starter.

[@phrodendekia]

@@MrTheHillfolk and battery, and cables and alternator

[@dagrote1]

@@jima3129 That's a good question. Why does the compression release have to be buried in the engine? What can't there be manual compression release valve on the exterior, like we see on larger chainsaws. When the pressure goes up when the engine "fires up," it'll shut automatically.

[@pfun41]

@@MrTheHillfolk They use the same starter for V twins, but those don't have a compression release.

[@davidbrennan5]

they cheaped out on everything

[@941Earl]

There has been a HUGE camshaft problem in the automotive world, too. They are either knock offs, misground, or inferior material. No one can trust a camshaft from anyone one except trusted high end American cam grinders lately. Tons of cases of cam lobes either flattening out right after installation even during proper break in, or cam lobes not being ground in the right locations. Tons of cams on line are sending tons of metal through brand new builds and causing total catastrophe and engine failure on brand new builds.

[@anthonywilson4873]

An engineer I knew worked for Lucas fuel injection co. They had a pump returned from Australia to the factory because precision parts did not fit, they spent ages working it out eventually the realised it was a Chinese copy. The pump was out of a Perkins engine and the Perkins dealer was chasing them. Lucas told them the problem Perkins checked their engine and found it was a copy as well. They will copy everything, numbers as well.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Why do the brits drink warm beer? . . . Their refrigerators are made by Lucas.

[@petersack5074]

even the Toyota vehicles....look alikes. ANALYSIS '' made in china '' = don't buy it...... xcept for maybe plastic forks and spoons...

[@jeffvalasek4774]

Many times as the name Joseph Lucas been taken in vain on a suddenly darkened road... Joseph Lucas - the prince of darkness.

[@fredflintstone8048]

@@jeffvalasek4774 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davef.2329]

Intentional economic sabotage.

[@wcjcnc]

I’ve replaced those cams with genuine OEM Briggs cams that didn’t last a month. Now I tell the customer up front that I won’t guarantee the cam to last 5 minutes. Briggs has had this problem for YEARS and they couldn’t care less.

[@chaunceylocklear3661]

Who at Briggs is in charge? Who do we write to?

[@twt000]

@@chaunceylocklear3661 Oh the days when writing a letter had sway.........

[@RobHawkins-hi1wn]

YEP well said

[@LowLevelNC]

I'm stuck in the 80's at my homestead. An old JD210 with a K241 Kohler, and a JD116 with an opposed twin. No creature comforts, no swoopy bodywork, no bells and whistles. But no Intek OHV struggles either. JD parts guy told me i should buy a new mower......that was 15 years ago. Still going.

[@thekingsilverado8419]

U R not the only one.... I got my JD LX172 stuffed a Kawasaki 17hp under the hood. It's a little rough on PTOs but man does it cut. I added a 48 inch deck to her. Then I have my old Craftsman GT6000 which can pull about 1,000lbs of firewood in the trailer same as the LX172. Then I have my old Toybilt Troybilt Super Bronco and man do I beat the poo out that thing and it just keeps going. Some long long time ago I got the Super Bronco with a bad Briggs opposed Twin. I found a NEW OPPOSED TWIN replacement engine new in the engine crate at a friggin yard in Bloomsburg Pa..... I paid $25 for that motor... Put that in her 10 years ago and it runs like a nuclear powered swiss watch. I go thru thick high grass and the thing throws the grass 15-20 feet from the mower. I can't complain about my antique tractor collection. I have a 2006 MTD Yard Man with that Kohler Courage Twin that likes to lock up in the cold weather. Sort of straightened it out using 5W30 oil and I might drop down to a 20 weight oil seems thick oil makes it super hard to crank over especially in cool/cold weather. But hey they all run and cut awesome. Had a JD110 and JD111 I think they were. The died in the line of duty not to mention them plastic hoods broke from sunlight. I guess with a Deere mower its best to cut your grass at night if ya wanna keep the plastic hood intact... I was actually cutting all straight runs of grass the time the hood just fell the frick off the mountings sheered clean off at the hinge area and no I never hit anything with the tractor it had a big bumper on it both of em did.. The older the tractor the better they R.... I keep an eye out for whatever I see. I often rebuild the motors it's the only way. However with the shortage of parts now days I have 2 motors here I cannot put back together at present. Just so folks don't get confused the Super Broncos came with either a single cyl or twin Briggs or Kohler. Someone had wired that old Briggs in the machine I bought used. I noticed the wiring for the PTO boogered up. Probably what blew the engine up when the electric PTO shorted out...

[@tailsdblack463]

Hoes to show where peoples priorites are 💰

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Exactly, the new stuff is junk. That said and knock on wood, one v-twin lawn tractor I bought over 15 years ago is still going strong. The 25hp is a beast when they're running right.

[@stevezio99]

The cams in these engines should be thought of as a part that needs to be recalled and replaced for free from Briggs. Then they need to redesign it so they don't fail like they do.

[@johnhinant970]

I have one with a camshaft failure.

[@sluggonotnancy6178]

@@johnhinant970 ....I'm not positive, but I think that camshaft design is in the In Tec engines. They should go back to the design used in the Vanguard, which I believe was designed into the crankshaft...but, I could be wrong.

[@ronadkins9474]

Taryl,After replacing in original Camshaft that Failed I replaced it with an After Market. While reading the Owners Manual I discovered something I had missed before. It states that the Motor should never be shut down at Idle speed, but to shut it down at a some what faster speed. I noticed after I read this that when it is shutdown a Idle speed the Engine tends to want to kick backwards. Kicking backwards may be the reason the Compression bypass is being broken. After replacing the Camshaft with a Piece of Chinese made after market Crap, I never shut down at Idle and when possible with the PTO still engaged. This seems to keep enough momentum on the Engine to prevent the kick back. I have had no further problems since the repair. My neighbor had the same problem. I advised him of my thoughts. He is shutting down using my suggestion and has not broken another Cam. Your thought please. Keep up the good Videos. You are the Man I go to for advise.

[@bw1841]

If you read enough comments there is usually someone who has figured out the real scoop. You get the gold star!

[@shawnbottom4769]

Interesting find. Sounds plausible too. It's amazing how many problems are blamed on a manufacturer or a mechanic when someone simply didn't read the manual..

[@icemanxxxv]

Well I just broke my second Briggs cam shaft compression relief doohickey. Changed the original cam 5 years ago. I have never shut my engine down at anything other than WFO. Its a Sh*t design and they know it. Just saw a guy take the air filter off cap the intake with his hand hit the starter no air into the cylinder no compression. Quickly remove the blockage and she fires right off. Replace the filter and get to mowing!

[@ronadkins9474]

@@icemanxxxv that will work for awhile, maybe forever, but when Al, those chunks of Metal that fell into the Crankcase get into something like the CamShaft Drive Gear., or stuck under the Vibration Dampener, of even get kicked up into the Block, something else is going to let go and break. I have seen the Block get cracked because a piece of the Counter Weight got caught between the Cylinder Rod and the a crank Case. I know it is a nasty Job to pull the Engine to replace the Compression relieve,. I know that there are very few Original Briggs Camshafts out there and they want a premium price for them. Replacing the broken Compression relieve mechanism is better than replacing all the otherParts that are going to break in time. I replaced my Briggs with an after market and it is still working. Shut my engine down about half throttle. I even raise the Hood and watch to see if it kicks backwards. I have also started turning it off with the PTO, Engaged to add just a little more Torque to the crankshaft when it is winding down. It is a bad design by Briggs, but it is cheaper than buying another Mower or another Engine. After Market Part s ay be cheaply made, but remember the original Briggs Part broke also.

[@98trooperful]

Thanks

[@hawkinseric]

As you said it's a common failure, and that's with the original Briggs cam. I'd say the scam was when Briggs sold the junk in the first place.

[@caroltenge5147]

The design was bad in the first place. The cheap part made it an ongoing nightmare. Junk plus junk=junk!

[@highrx]

Running with a new pair scissors is no longer considered dangerous due to the poor quality of manufacturing!

[@andrewnorris1514]

Great Statement

[@Farmall4ever]

Who runs these days anyways?!?

[@highrx]

@@Farmall4ever in my white Chinese Reebok’s, of course.!

[@beerggls]

It is so dangerous, you might break the scissors!

[@garryrobinson8994]

Lol!!!!!!

[@jdretiree2433]

what I have found on Fleabay product ratings is no matter who the product is bought from, the product rating is used for all sellers. So, if one seller is selling an aftermarket part listed with the OEM part number and a seller is selling the actual OEM part, they both get the same product ratings.

[@twt000]

And (on Fleabay) OEM will usually mean/be OEM.

[@champaigncountycoyotehunte5494]

Prior to watching this video ( 2 days ago) I put an Amaxon Scamshaft in my 18HP Breaks & Scrap'em. Also, did a valve adjustment. I've already put an hour of mowing on it. It starts every single time & has plenty of power. It actually quit smoking which is nice :) I'll report back if it blows all to hell :) Really diggin your channel Taryl! Thanks for the awesome content and skits!

[@0xXAllForNothingXx0]

How's it doing?

[@champaigncountycoyotehunte5494]

@@0xXAllForNothingXx0 Still running perfect!

[@0xXAllForNothingXx0]

@@champaigncountycoyotehunte5494 thanks! Do you remember which brand you purchased? I'm about to do one on my mom's mower.

[@musicheartbeat1451]

Ya I need that part number also.

[@Blaines-smallengine-repair]

Have not had a issue with a Amazon cam yet just make sure it’s done right

[@jeremiahlittlejohn922]

Disposable society yes we are being scammed. I've had my craftsmen 42" for almost 20 years. Just ordered every part I could for it because they are not making alot of the parts anymore.

[@dagrote1]

Around here, the old lawn tractors are dying out. Everyone's upgrading to zero-turns. The old, used riders are going for pennies on the dollar. There's not a single small engine shop that couldn't fill up three acres with "for parts only" riders in one season. Which is pointless, because because you can get only $500 at most for a reburished model.

[@watermanone7567]

Great job Taryl: I had a Craftsman YT3000 with the same type engine in it. Broken cam compression release. I had to get an aftermarket one, and knock on wood, it is still running after 3 months of use. I was told that Briggs has a few updated cams for that engine, but I also have a customers snow blower with the same issue. Thanks for the video.

[@thunderroad7289]

Have same crap mower with the same problem right now lol but hey the hood comes off easy you know how those hoods want to fall off these yts lol

[@watermanone7567]

@@thunderroad7289 I have a small engine shop and I am semi retired. I see lots of those broken cam compression release issues with mowers and snow blowers. Shame on Briggs for that crap.

[@garyalford9394]

I have had a aftermarket cam for 3yrs now! guess I am one of the lucky few!!

[@LotsofSideHustles]

Hey just did one on a yts 3000 is the valve train sound/minor ticking normal noise? It’s definitely more obvious at idle, but it sure isn’t a rod knock. I checked the valve like 3 times and they are in spec.

[@kennyhurst8476]

THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL. We ran into the same issue with Briggs saying they won’t be available until Fall of 22. We’ve been buying them under the John Deere part number. For whatever reason John Deere seems to have plenty in stock

[@bobjohnston8316]

Ran into the same thing with Kohler parts. Back ordered through Kohler, JD had it in stock under their own part number.

[@JoshDurston]

If you ask the price of a JD part you'll know the reason why they have stock. :-)

[@kennyhurst8476]

@@JoshDurston they’re actually not that bad compared to Briggs pricing. If ya need it, ya need it. I’ll buy a John Deere/Briggs cam all day instead of waiting till the fall of 22. Customers don’t want to hear that they’ll have to wait till fall

[@musicheartbeat1451]

Could you help me find a good cam at a reasonable price? I have a 18 horse intek Briggs​@@kennyhurst8476

[@KingsWeldingandAutomotive]

I bought the kit on amazon. Pressed off the big gear and removed the compression release. Then I installed the compression release on my old Briggs cam.

[@rw3dog]

I always wonder if the real bad knock off parts are things that failed quality control for Briggs.

[@jamesdougan8789]

china don't do quality control ... every unit is sold ... they don't care if you come back to buy again they got your $ this time its all they want. what do you expect from a communist country thats run like the mafia just like ukraine its why biden is so close to them.. they are all scamming, ripoff criminals

[@barryfirth1187]

A fellow once told me that half the parts from NAPA etc. are original equipment pieces rejected from major manufacturers at the factory....🤷‍♂️

[@corywaring7124]

I can still remember when there used to be tv repair shops. Now you just throw that shit away when it breaks. No more pride in your product, “let me fix that for you.” Just “we hope you’ll buy another one of our items when the first one breaks.”

[@andrewnorris1514]

do not buy a G E REFRIGERATOR

[@rickpearson4]

I had a Yamaha 250 enduro in the '70s.That bike had a manual compression release.Just wondrering if one could be installed and bypass this issue.Thanks for the forum Taryl!

[@waynesimpson2040]

If you can find a place in the cylinder head to install that style compression release I personally believe it would work. You just have to manually set the release. These camshaft compression releases are just for automation and simplicity but not longevity lol

[@craigjohnson3603]

Scamshaft, I love it, as usual you nailed it! I was in mfg. For years and can't believe the crap on the market now quality wise! Lucky I have a hoard of old stuff to fix. I used to call it crap but now golden compared to new "Fecal Material" if I may quote you! Good video.

[@Mad_Scientist2052]

You got that right......Scamshaft! I unfourtionatly have one of these that needs one, so being a machinist when I do get one in the first thing I'll fix is to manufacture a new counterweight for the compression release out of solid steel and can the sintered garbage one. As far as the cam lobes would probably benifit from being welded to the shaft for reinforcement, and perhaps the main cam gear as well. If in fact that any of this works and I am able to get this one running again, in the meantime I will rebuild an older Kohler engine and swap it out as soon as it is completed and scrap the intek garbage. I'll be sure to stay away from these in the future.

[@caroltenge5147]

touch of weld is what I was thinking too. Shame any of this is a weak link in a POS motor.

[@adanvaldcontreras4283]

I ordered one from Amazon last year and it's been working fine and I'm in lawn care and use it everyday... but you never know ...it could go out tomorrow...

[@musicheartbeat1451]

What was seller's name I need a good aftermarket cam

[@lostnthought9780]

Oil seals like that usually have the sizes stamped onto them. Should be 3 numbers. First number is ID size. Second number is OD size. Third number is thickness. The measurements are in millimeters. Might explain why the seals have the same numbers on them. Hope this helps.

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey I guess they use casted camshafts instead of forged. They should at least give a spotweld to the lobes so they don’t move or fall apart. Or in this case maybe a lock tight adhesive on the splines. I have some nice used top quality used cams perfect condition sitting on my shelf just for these occasions. Thank God for good scrap engines. I like to know how many places in China are casting out replacement parts. Excellent video Taryl

[@alpharaptor7510]

The newer Briggs engines won’t be ever the same as the old Flat heads

[@bobjohnston8316]

I’m running a JD 325 lawn tractor vintage of 1996. Kawasaki one cylinder, 1250 hours, runs great. The JD dealer says that the Kawasaki engines give the least problems of any motor that JD uses. I also rebuilt the motor on a Kohler engined JD LX255 that I bought for $100. as is. The governor had failed. Cheap plastic part. Taryl’s website helped me out with a video on the governors. Cheap crappy parts everywhere in todays riding mowers.

[@garyalford9394]

just like our politicians !!

[@daveh777]

Had to wait several months for one of those last year. Guy at the repair shop uses only factory parts and I'm glad he did. Runs great now. Shout out to Guys Repair in Barre, Vermont.

[@andybonneau9209]

I had this exact same problem with my mower, but was able to find a Briggs cam and gaskets. You're right about things being made crappy now, and finding good parts is practically impossible.

[@800acceptnoimitation]

Taryl, this is the perfect case for the Lawn Mower Detectives! Sounds like Ronnie or EZ Works might be behind this.

[@rdaw33]

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@halcampbell1384]

I've been to China several times and know for a fact that there are many companies that make aftermarket replacement parts for American products. While some of them may indeed be OEM suppliers, MOST are not and quality is all over the map with them. Unfortunately it's nearly impossible to distinguish this with online purchases. As always, buyer beware.

[@robertsmith2956]

I have to laugh when liberals got upset Trumps daughter had chinese patents. I have never heard of them copying products they have patents on. It is only ours they will ignore.

[@tonysheerness2427]

At least the Chinese make a scamshaft to get the mower going, Briggs&Stratton are a disgrace selling dodgy engines with no parts. Keep up the good work. Even Honda are not what they use to be, not putting belt guards on their walk behind mowers causing belts to slip.

[@ralphwatten2426]

Maybe the reason B&S can't get the cams is because chinese are selling them on the interscreen. They know they're cheap crap and see a market.

[@tonysheerness2427]

@@ralphwatten2426 I would have thought patents and copy right come into this.

[@rogerstlaurent8704]

i agree with what you have to say where i work 9 out 10 tractors and mowers have BAD CAMS and also i agree the Honda that has no belt GUARD is a FLIPPING JOKE seen it all ready 1 year old and all ready problems with the drive system getting clogged with debris ... is it funny i would say not paying $ 400 to $ 500 hundred dollars for a mower is not a joke and a lawn tractor at $ 2000,00 to $ 50000.00 grand for a lawn tractor to last a year or 2 is a FLIPPING SHAME

[@tonysheerness2427]

@@rogerstlaurent8704 It is pure greed, with the growth of populations they have a continuous stream of new customers they do not have to rip of the old customers.

[@robertforster9736]

I am fed up with changing these out. Some even twice. Now we take all the pieces out ,change oil and install cam without compression release. After this happens go buy a 100 dollar 1000 amp booster pac or manually turn engine past compression. They will start. Put up with a bit of an inconvenience or keep paying 100s of dollars. Simple as that

[@SmallEngineDIY]

I had 3 or 4 of the Briggs & Stratton Platinum engines with bad camshafts. The last one I replaced last fall is still working. We are watching it close to see how long it will last.

[@Lawnmowerman02346]

I see enough broken rods that I can save a pile of used cams . I'm surprised you couldn't find a used relief to replace it with having a good cam , I've done quite a few with no problems . Some one should make an after market relief kit , not much to it . pin ,weight ,spring ,gasket ,seal , and maybe a new plastic insert . 20 or 30 dollars plus labor .

[@starsoundproductions]

Since you seem to be the most knowledgeable about B&S engines, I have a question hoping you will be able to answer. I have this mower with a 15.5HP single cyl briggs engine. It runs pretty good under load (mowing and driving) but when idling it runs like crap. Especially low rpms. Searching, spitting, backfiring, the works. I have serviced and checked oil, arifilter, sparkplug, valves. Hoping you can help me out :)

[@styga1969]

In the 35 Vannys.. heads are on back order also .. exhaust seats are dropping .. smaller Vannys like the 14-18’s are still pushing out head gaskets .. Bent pushrods.. I’ve seen the crank ends snapping off also. Briggs is going downhill.

[@billclarke6330]

My thoughts on this thru some experience replacing these camshafts is that the customer dosen't idle down the motor before shutting down. I've done this as I believe this could also be a big reason for the release to fling apart. Thoughts?

[@garylee9738]

One reason I'll never get rid of my old B&S opposed twin. Twenty horses of American quality goodness. 👍

[@jovangrbic97]

How hard is it to put a few tack welds on those lobes? Sure won't fix the compression release but still...

[@stephensarkany3577]

Bet the lobes are powdered metal, don't think you can weld those.

[@JoeMac916]

Looks like Ronnie is in the scamshaft business now.

[@ChrisChampagne-l5n]

Thank you for being honest, I’ve been working on these small engines for 40 years, along with auto engines, and you are correct on the parts and availability, thanks for the how to videos, y’all are doing a great job job, you don’t find many mechanics that give secrets and show him made tools, I have a a lot of those myself keep up the good work.

[@snakerstran9101]

If "good" replacement parts are hard to find, I wonder if welding those pressed connections would be reasonable. Either to fix one that came loose or to preemptively weld before they break. Also, I've seen a decompression design (2 stroke but I wouldn't think that would matter?) where a small vent hole is drilled through the cylinder jug. It decompresses at starting rpm's but supposedly has no effect at running rpms. Be curious if a Taryl type has had experience with that or would experiment.

[@MunkyWrench]

Welding would add extra weight and mess up the balance

[@bluefrog8670]

@@MunkyWrench They aren't well balanced to begin with. Weld it in the right spots and it might be better.

[@MunkyWrench]

@@bluefrog8670 I get a few in my shop every month.. next one I get ill play with the welder.. can't break what's already broke and would make an interesting video

[@donaldeisenbarth5255]

@@MunkyWrench A small spot weld on opposite side should not upset the balance. I doubt if has good balance to start with. It is a lawnmower not a space ship.

[@MunkyWrench]

@@donaldeisenbarth5255 worth a shot next time I have one come in ill make a vid

[@eosjoe565]

What was the Ebay source for the second kit you received?

[@michaelvrooman5681]

I made the mistake of buying a Flea Bay cam for an Intek. It actually bent after about an hour of running time and destroyed the engine block. I will not buy another. And I have yet to hit a chinese crank seal that actually worked. As far as Chinese clone products are concerned, Harbor Freight and Snap On both sell the same exact jack. Snap On sued over it and lost because Harbor freight had it on the market first

[@JB-ro3sz]

the snap on one was probably made in the same place as the harbour freight jack just labeled different

[@ruthc8407]

The Horror Freight and Snap On jacks are not the same. While the H.F. jack looks like the S.O. jack, the internals are vastly different. The S.O. jack uses a tried and proven U-cup on the ram, while the H.F. jack uses... wait for it... an O-RING. Oh yeah... a fookin' o-ring.

[@MicPoitras]

Same problem. I cover the air intake for starting it... it is ok. But I will have to remove the broken metal inside or... will it be ok to let them in since they probably sunk at bottom... what's your advice Buddy? ♥ Mike

[@Studeo5150]

The last one of these I used had the cam lobe one tooth out-of-sync. I used the decompression mechanism from the cheap and nasty aftermarket item with the original camshaft. Worked well. The elephant in the room is: Briggs and Stratton have been using this breakdown-prone setup for decades. It is not right that they continue to use such flawed design.

[@victorb4774]

All I need is the spring on mine. How do I remove the decompression mechanism?

[@godfellas483]

I wonder if a quick welding tack on the camshaft and lobe pieces would prevent future failures???

[@phillipvansickle4220]

Wondering the same thing myself.

[@beckmichael9659]

Great video. I love your stuff. Your content is very educational and entertaining. Information provided is broad and specific enough to be useful by the average joe. This knowledge has been very useful to me with my projects and repairs of the "space shuttle" aka lawn mower. Your format allows the audience to develop a rapport with a character in which helps to maintain attention throughout the diagnostic and repair process. More specifically your story leads to the problem, then to the fix, all the while you maintain character. Sir you are brilliant. Thank you for such grate content.

[@utsports]

But the OEM Briggs Camshaft Compression Releases, are braking as well,that is why one has to replace the Camshaft due to the Compression Release?

[@JeffinTD]

I’m sure there is a range of quality in the e-bay aftermarket stuff, probably ranging from junk that doesn’t work at all to stuff that lasts lounger than oem. About all you can do is look at ratings and hope feedback isn’t spoofed.

[@pootthatbak2578]

Yea but the ratings dont really cover 10 year periods. I could buy a governor today, install it, works fine..but in 3 years after dying prematurely, could i find the site and re- rate the part? ..no, not likely

[@beerggls]

I know one thing that is absolutely Chinese junk. Craftsman MTD Chinese aftermarket wood chipper blades. The cheapest ones I could find on eBay were seven dollars a pair. Shattered to a million pieces on the first skinny twig I put through there after installing them. May as well have been made out of peanut brittle. What’s more is they were half the thickness as the OEM blades. Did nobody take into account the head space tolerance specification regarding the gap measurement between the chute anvil landing ledge and the cutting edge of the blades? Skinny blades increased the gap by about .100”. Try loosening the screw in the middle of a pair of scissors a couple turns and cutting something. Same effect with the skinny Chinee blades on a wood chipper. Oh and the item description! A complete spew of outright lies. “Highest quality steel“ “durable and long-lasting“ “precision manufactured” “Surgically sharp edge honed by experts”… it was crap steel of the poorest quality that didn’t last two seconds, and the moron who sharpened it burned a big old purple and gold rainbow on one end. Then when I tried to return them they told me the reason the blades exploded instantly was that I must’ve dropped a screw in the drum housing or something. I was dangerously close to swimming my ass clear over to China and dropping a few screws down that sellers throat! In short, wood chipper blades are not the type of thing you want to try and save money on. And China is a bunch of bald face disingenuous lying rapscallions and purveyors of grievously shoddy nonfunctional knock off garbage products that if taken to the nearest landfill and set afire would spare millions of people worldwide the pain, suffering, and heartache of toiling in futility with inferior replacement parts which perform reliably only if used as April fools jokes.

[@johndaleparker7894]

So, is the compression release mechanism a fairly new thing? If the older engines didn't have them and they worked without them why doesn't the engine work when the compression release mechanism fails?

[@mrsqueakthecat.8061]

A simple fix here would be to just turn the power up on the starters. I do service work and I know damn well there are starter motors the size of what B&S uses that can turn over 4-cylinder engines, that put out 10x the power, without issue.

[@oldphart-zc3jz]

The perfect starter could be a Denso OSGR Light Duty since there are millions of them and odds are good of having a pinion with the right gear tooth pitch. They work on much higher torque applications like Harleys.

[@RJLM330]

So wondering if my 2006 Troybilt Pony with an intek engine has the same issues. With the CamShaft

[@BlockdAccount]

That's one of those fancy ratchet cams!

[@chrischiampo7647]

Infinite Timing Adjustment 😂😂

[@rods.3245]

@@chrischiampo7647 That's what I was gonna say. Variable valve timing!

[@calvinabbott6920]

Looks like you have to finish assembly with the welder at home.

[@donaldbower4097]

Yeah, set the valves where you want to run them

[@d6893]

it‘ a simplified version of BMW‘s VANOS

[@Rnm1hart]

The question: I would have is not are we being scammed, but could you fix the one that broke with a weld. And seeing that lobe failed, with the last one should you have done a tack weld on the lobes of the new one to protect your lobe from breaking again. Also, could you re-build the original one with just a starter gear and a new compression release? The kit looked like it was in pieces already. we are talking about subpar parts already. Shouldn't you do everything to make them last? The last thing that went through my mind is if the gasket was thicker did you check to see if the crank was longer to make up for the end play? Because knowing is half the battle.

[@2Truth4Liberty]

I bought this cheap fleabay camshaft and it lasted one mowing. Put a USED oem in and it has lasted several years now and still going. PS You can still start the mower by cupping your hand over the intake (to lower compression by causing a little vacuum) I ran mine for several mowing and no problem even though the broken release "parts" were in the bottom of the crankcase.

[@Scottkrose]

Installed an aftermarket in my YT3000, B&S 21HP, failed immediately. Waiting for my OEM replacement to arrive.

[@cezarmeleiro3707]

So since this part breaks, and it's hard to find, I think mechanics could invent an external decompressor for the engine, similar to old motorcycles.

[@garyalford9394]

Or a better starter !!

[@johnafagerquist8235]

I think I've discovered the hard-start problem with my mower. It starts, but, man oh man, the starter struggles to get that first rotation. Compression issue? I'm thinking so, now.

[@philipgunderman7292]

Thank you Teryl! To me, a very big problem in getting so much of our stuff from China is the fact that we have no idea of the quality, or where to go when there is a problem. Obviously we are being told just where we can go, just not in so many words.

[@accer555]

Can you poste some link of which aftermarket brand are cams ok? Thanks

[@happyhome41]

You (and your team) are amazing. I know there are some really good mechanics who will not work on certain models because few customers can discern the difference between a poor quality OEM design and manufacture, and error on the part of the mechanic - so like the hurt animal who bites the one who feeds it, we blame the mechanic when our just-repaired item doesn't work.

[@xephael3485]

can you still start mowers when the pressure relief on camshaft is broken? I'm thinking mine might be broke. I have a little trick with the key where I stop the starter and crank again after flywheel comes back a 1/2"

[@samkitty5894]

My Sears mower with B&S engine lasted me 46 years. Today they don't last 6 months without issues. This is what happens when you outsource your pride, heart and soul to the lowest bidder and put $$$$$$$$$ ahead of all else.

[@sgnt9337]

I wonder when (what year(s)) they moved away from cast iron camshafts?

[@jamesray9009]

One day I would love to see you speak with Louis Rossman on right to repair and the importance of it for shops like yours..

[@ItsMrAssholeToYou]

I shouted-out Tuff Torque on one of Louis's r2r videos, linking Taryl's video on Tuff Torque's parts and tools webpages. Louis deleted the comment.

[@donens9310]

Any way to identify an OEM camshaft from aftermarket? Seems that all stamped numbers are the same and OEM does not have the Briggs logo stamped anywhere which was common on old engine parts.

[@calvinmientke3539]

"Easy-Spin" worked. Only a bump on the cam to dump compression.

[@garyprn2000]

I have used several of those. Haven’t had 1 fail yet. But, what’s the worst that happens? It fails just like the OEM one??? And, I have used that thicker gasket a few times. Haven’t seen an issue there either.

[@johnbossems2849]

Kohler Magnum Engines for me. Bought a Craftsman GT 6000 in 1993 which has a Kohler Magnum 18 engine. 1 set of coils, 1 fuel pump, and basic tune up parts. Totally “bad ass” flat head engine. Those old engines just never quit. That’s why I drive a Slant Six every day.

[@caseyjones298]

the slant 6 ...bulletproof.

[@blk77sunshn]

Does the engine really need decompression in order to start ? Past models didn't, so can't you just put in a new camshaft and delete the decomp mechanism? Just say'n....

[@Warpedsmac]

Greetings from Australia, In the mighty nation of the United States with a population of some 332.5 M people, there MUST be a machine shop able to turn out quality replacement parts at a reasonable price....I'm sure the American market would pay more for dependable, warrantied engine parts....couldn't GM or Ford adapt their production lines? What happens if there is another war?

[@zacharystubler750]

There are. But they would end up getting sued into the dirt unfortunately once corporate saw the shop making money😕

[@mariannwatt2678]

If wr have a war with china we will have to wait 6 months to get our wepons from them ja ha

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Any chance that to increase revenue, Briggs and Stratton is selling off large quantities of stock that failed QC? For example, these aftermarket companies could purchase thousands of these cams, sort through the really bad ones and scrap them, but sell the ones that could pass aftermarket standards? In the end, both companies are making a profit?

[@stevenormandin2059]

i call those engines " Break and Scrapyard" :) . Wow replacement parts for these aren't the best , they almost fall apart in the shipping box no freaking jokes !😳

[@bentullett6068]

Briggs and Scrapem is a term used in the UK for their engines

[@kevinhitt719]

in 2011 I bought a Craftsman tractor from Sears. I had the same problem while under warranty The machanic that came out told me Briggs was buying cheap cams from China. Looks like they didn't learn anything it cost them a new engine and I got to keep and fix the old one. I just can't see how that pays for them to keep doing this.

[@AirikYT]

I did 14 of these last mowing season and 6 this year so far, we have two left in stock and got on powerdistributers to order some more and same thing, backordered until November, had one go out and completely ruin the motor, definitely Briggs worst product

[@jeanalexandre1105]

Is it possible to tack weld where the pieces are pressed in

[@jamesspash5561]

more than likely briggs is getting the cams from the same place. The parts are stuck in a harbor some place is why you have to wait until November.

[@curious-homebody]

honda vertical shaft engines have a similar problem. camshaft compression relief gets stuck due to lack of lubrication usually oil that was never changed.

[@barblemons5397]

Taryl always gets to the root of the problem!

[@hamtalker2007]

I'm working on one right now with the 579 number on it , the gear splines are stripped and this job was done not very long ago, going to try and get oem cam shaft

[@dagrote1]

This is all very discouraging for the average amateur small engine guy. I mean, these things are complicated enough to diagnose and repair, but when you throw in a random element like shoddy manufacture and engineering, what chance do we have? If a pro like Teryl and his crew have to scratch their heads over what's going on deep down in the bowels of the machine, then your average DIY'er will be tempted to sell off all his tools and find another hobby, one that won't spike his blood pressure and bring tears to his eyes.

[@garryrobinson8994]

Taryl I have a head scratcher. My son in law was mowing with a 17 and a half Briggs riding mower it shut off all of a sudden. It's getting fuel and air so would it possibly be the ingition coil just went dead?

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Another fine detective work. And a very good informative video.

[@martinbenton742]

I've got a 19hp BS on my John Deere 110. It cranks that way, (one turn then stops). The battery I think is the issue, (2 years old from Walspank). If I charge the battery, then it starts fine but now I wander if it is one of these intec engines. I don't know if it would have a sticker saying Intec?

[@freetolook3727]

Seems like B&S should be smart enough to ramp up production of replacement camshafts. Oh, wait, we're talking about corporate America, never mind...

[@lnk4328]

But I bet that they found the time to celebrate pride week.

[@freetolook3727]

??

[@chaunceylocklear3661]

Yep. Corporations don’t give a duck

[@paulvilleneuve9628]

What about twin cylinder Briggs engines? I have exactly the same problem. Two different riders. I was told it’s valve adjustment. On one I adjusted valves correctly it helped but didn’t cure the problem. Any idea? ( FYI I’ve been a diesel mechanic for over 50 years) Thanks Paul V

[@randyab9go188]

Once again another reason Briggs & Stratton almost went out of business. Turning out garbage. You would think they would have learned from Tecumseh. Tecumseh before they went out of business got to the point where they were turning out engines without hardened valve seats. From what I have been told Tecumseh had to build down to a price walk behind mower engines to meet the target price of Walmart. Sad.

[@markkinney5030]

I work at a Lawn mower repair shop and we see this all the time on them too! And you are right Briggs needs to learned from Tecumseh there engine were crap! And briggs almost went out of business sometimes after they got out of buisness its to late! But for everyone if we has repair shop do this win these mowers come in for a service adjust those valve's we do this in our shop and we did find out it does help! But still those cam shafts are junk anyway!

[@markkinney5030]

@@PrometricUSA you are right the old one was better! Now as the predator engine we see a lot of them in our shop and so on and ther biggers thing we see for repair is people putting old gas in them like everything else! But that is it good running engine.

[@genericcamera984]

I had no idea Tecumseh was out of business. I still have a Tecumseh engine from 1998 that still starts on the second pull. The mower itself rusted out a long time ago but I kept the engine.

[@dannylinc6247]

I learned on Tecumseh and seems like we always had one and still do. I hope some companies reproduce the parts you have a hard time finding now. If it runs every year, gives decent service, you think enough to care for it's needs, why buy Chinese throw aways?

[@markkinney5030]

@@dannylinc6247 I think there is some stuff and get like after market. Whats is really bad right now is Briggs stuff you can not on them. My thing is what is it going to look like in 5 years from now? I really don't no!

[@leosizemore-hm8jf]

What size crank shaft outer diameter does the 25 horse Briggs and Stratton 2500 have

[@littleshopintheshed]

Nice work. So sad that most of todays products are “throw away”. I am curious, are mowers at The “Horn Depot” the same that they sell at the dealer? Or are the “Horn Depot” ones full of these Chinese parts? Have you seen a difference?

[@eosjoe565]

The single cylinder B&S vertical shaft engines are all the same. It doesn't matter if it is used in a HD, Lowe's or dealer machine.

[@yurmabeechaudits3522]

Additional to the comment about, if you buy the same model of any make at a mass merchant it's the same as that make and model at a dealer. Most dealerships are smart enough not to stock the same models as box stores though simply bc we can't get them for the price they do and thus out the door costs are higher

[@andrewnorris1514]

In May I bought a2000 G E fridge. It lasted 5 weeks. GE told me to rent a fridge while I wait on parts. After 4 weeks they agreed to reimburse me and haul away the bad unit. The day after they hauled away the old one a new compressor showed up on my porch. UNBELEIVABLE

[@user-sw9jo7fe3d]

before you order anything or split the engine, check valve adjustment...loose valve will give the same symptoms. sometimes you get lucky, mostly, you dont..

[@scottsatterthwaite4073]

You might just as well toss those new B&S engines in the scrap pile when they break and throw a brand new HF Predator engine in their place. They will work just as well and last at least as long.

[@ding9633]

Does Predator make a larger vertical shaft engine?

[@robertsmith2956]

Is the shaft longer by 15 thousands? Maybe using the skinny gasket cause the shaft to bind on the case cover.

[@festus2372]

And,yes. We are being scammed.

[@mikekopisz1227]

People really do not realize how important something as simple as a gasket,can throw off end play tolerance by so much.....just like when people use an entire tube of silicone on an area that requires a minimal amount,then wonder why their cam and crank walk so much to where they start wearing teeth unevenly, vibration issues,pre mature failures,etc....glad I'm not the only one that measures cause being in spec with any tolerance is the most important thing in building a reliable engine... Good work as always

[@Cravz69]

Just like the carbitraitors, maybe one out of five are worth it. Always a roll of the dice!

[@jimg8218]

Is this same issues In Kohler courage ?

[@browngreen933]

I put the cheapest $26 eBay crankshaft into my Honda clone minibike engine and it works fine. The cover gasket that came with it was damaged in transit and the eBay seller sent me two replacements free of charge. I've also had good luck with $8-$12 eBay chainsaw replacement carburetors too. Still, it's a gamble every time you buy Chinese aftermarket stuff. But when it works okay it feels like you won the lottery because the price difference to OEM is insane.

[@andrewnorris1514]

I say let's raise salaries so people can buy excellent products. It's hard to make a living wage anywhere thats the real problem

[@christopherlabarge6364]

@@andrewnorris1514 we need to start making the products in the USA again so we can get the quality back up to good standards enough of this china crap

[@andrewnorris1514]

@@christopherlabarge6364 I like old stuff that was built with pride

[@duckhunter8387]

@@andrewnorris1514 They are not going to increase the quality just because your able to pay more. Wake up.

[@andrewnorris1514]

@@duckhunter8387 p00p

[@Keith_62]

I have 2 with the same problem. Can I tack the lobes on the shaft to eliminate stripping?