Why A Briggs & Stratton Snowblower Engine Blew Up & Teardown! - Video

[@kenhilson786]

Can't believe it was 4 years ago that this was posted as I remember it. I came into possession of a craftsman blower with a 1550 briggs on it. When testing it I noticed brown spots in the snow under it. Remembering this video I checked the yellow plugs and one was indeed loose. Thanks Donnie.

[@robertdavis6708]

Best SE videos on the web. Congratulate yourself Donnie Boy !

[@BobFromManitoba]

Ha! The EXACT same thing happened to me yesterday. The little yellow oil cap vibrated off and I lost all the oil and the connecting rod. Lesson learned; keep an eye on those caps! Thanks Donny. Love your videos.

[@carlmiller1034]

Excellent video! It's a shame a small oil plug cap can lead to such a problem! Excellent tear down and explanation of the aftermath and carnage!!!

[@BrucesShop]

Love teardowns. So much to learn. i will be doing one soon too. An old pressure washer motor. Usually the pumps go first.

[@frankenberry9670]

Good video. I particularly like your display of all the damage that was caused. It accents not only the importance of checking the oil caps but also changing the oil as needed. I would also accent that if your motor is running and any noticeable amount of stuff is appearing around it that you don't recognize as normal then shut down immediately and figure it out. Engines don't magically fix themselves they just break even more.

[@shikpolam8968]

Thank you, I will check them from now on.

[@slufoot733]

Really like your videos, very informative. And you cover your topics in plain language making it easy for those of us not so familiar with this kind of work. Thank you.

[@marshallguerra7429]

Thanks for your videos. I have been following you for some time now and have to say you very good at what you do. As a mechanic and explaining as you go through each video. I work on small motors from time to time ,even took a class in high school. It sure comes in handy. Keep up the great work.

[@clauslundberg9224]

Nice salvage - thanks for sharing

[@ncrdisabled]

man you just saved my butt. I went out to check my Ariens 13hp Briggs snowblower and 1 of the cap was about 1/2 out.

[@Peppermint1]

OHV engines have these yellow caps as well, along with some metal ones. My 208cc OHV has yellow and a metal one near the bottom

[@troyhulbert7794]

On ebay I bought a new Briggs 14.50 gross torque 305cc Snow Series engine for my old Yard Machine, 200 dollars US and free shipping ! Works great, I'll keep an eye on those plugs from now on! Thanks for the great videos Dony!

[@andrecampbell691]

Check your oil level before using every time.

[@TheOzthewiz]

Absolutely! My snow thrower is a Mack 522 (generic Ariens) single stage 5 HP with 2 -stroke engine. I NEVER have to worry about oil level OR warm-up. She's ready to "rock 'n roll" one first or second pull on the starter rope. In 15 seasons, never had to use the electric starter!

[@peterrivney552]

You mean I have to check my oil wow what was I thinking I changed it in the fall and only use the dam thing maybe three times if burns that much oil then I know Briggs and Stratton are junk...

[@SuzukiKid400]

@@peterrivney552 you didn’t even watch the video. Who said anything about BURNING oil??

[@TRyan-op2jo]

Great video. I just bought a Craftsman snowblower with a seized 208cc from Lowes. It looks like it suffered the same fate of being run without the oil cap.

[@63256325N]

Implosion! Too bad, as you said, looked like fairly new machine. An expensive lesson to learn. Thanks for the videos.

[@ALAPINO]

I have a similar (slightly older model) of Briggs and those oil plugs, even with a that beefy o-ring always comes loose. I check the fluids at every use, so not an issue for me.

[@Jflowboston1]

Last days I found one of those caps loose, thanks for the great video

[@earlhoude7808]

I lost it 2 weeks ago. So i was blowing snow when i saw the snow came with brown spot on it. I was thinking, what can cause these brown spot and i saw the small yellow cap out of his location. Stop the engine and take a spot check on the amount of oil inside my engine. So lucky that my engine not blown out and for now i learn the lesson to check every time i work with it, the yellow small cap.

[@googleplusisdead]

My first 1st! :) Thanks for taking the time to post with all the good pix. Somehow very fascinating, as well as feeling sorry for the owner. RichE

[@patthesoundguy]

The last couple of those engines I ordered didn't have those yellow plugs. They have no plugs and are just aluminum bungs or special non removable plugs.

[@JimFixIt74]

A tip you’ll all probably laugh at on these Briggs engines. Take the yellow caps off and put Permatex around the threads and put them back in. Helps to reduce the movement on the caps caused by the vibration of the engine.

[@johnclarke6647]

Some of those yellow caps you mentioned are actually pressed in plugs. I have one on my 4500W generator, which has two yellow plugs, one on each side. I tighten them both. I put an oil drain line with 1/4 inch pipe fittings so I can drain the oil much easier. I put them on with pipe sealant, so the won’t work loose. It makes changing the oil much easier and does not leave a mess on the generator.

[@jamesmullins3219]

great video,good tips, good close up shots & edits....thanks

[@tomycodd]

I had a snowblower in my shop last week with this same thing and same engine-only the owner let the engine run out of oil and never checked his oil before using it.What an expensive lesson!

[@Urbicide]

Yes Sir. There is a reason why filler caps are colored yellow, so you can easily find them!

[@dabig_guy2204]

Thank you, Dony.

[@alb12345672]

This happened to my flathead opposed twin recently :(. It always smoked on startup, I used to check the oil but I think it was a bit low. Still have to inspect everything if it is salvageable. 20 years was a good run though. It has cast iron sleeves so it may not have scored.

[@Dinoxt12]

Thank you, never thought that could happen.

[@davemarks7322]

Excellent video...thanks Dony.

[@jonathanbosco8458]

Thank you for the video, I really appreciate your efforts and your concern for safety using gloves, some great parts on the engine for the future.

[@Ewaugh69]

Hey Dony, love your videos. Where do you get small engine parts in Canada? Thanks

[@jatontherun]

Awesome educational video. Thanks for posting!

[@bobmcl2406]

I just was given a Craftsman snowblower with this same engine, so I was very interested to see all the details in this video. My B&S seems to have been leaking a little oil for a long time. Interestingly, I found both of the yellow caps to be a bit loose, so I am hoping that is the source of my leaks. Oh, by the way, is it normal that my engine does not have a throttle lever? Thanks Dony!

[@TheOzthewiz]

VERY informative video! THANK YOU for uploading! You have just added another subscriber.

[@henerker]

Many Honda engines (and some clones) also have multiple oil caps that could potentially cause the same issue as here.

[@CheezyDee]

A few years ago I had 3 mowers and all the decks were rusted out, stumbled across a clearance mower at Lowes for $30 missing the blade and the coil, but otherwise looked new. Got it home, put on a blade and coil, got it started and smoked up the whole yard. I tore it apart and it looked like someone ran it all summer with no oil; bore was scored, piston was scored, rod was 1/8" bigger than the crank and the rod journal on the crank looked like a stack of random coins, but I got a rust free deck and carb/fuel tank for $30.

[@garysgarage3669]

would a little lock tight help?

[@kenhilson786]

Don. I bought exact engine used for a repower. Starts fine with pull cord when cold but very difficult when warm. Actually has to backfire through carb and next pull it starts. Electric start will fire it up when warm. Replaced coil and checked timing with light and degree wheel and got 26 btdc matching a video. So I have not pulled flywheel nut. Looking at valve adjustment which I had done already and set both at .005. I'm finding conflicting specs. Some say .004-.006 and some say .009-.011 on the exhaust. Compression release is on the exhaust. I'm wondering if my .005 is giving me too much compression release.

[@redskool8498]

wow thanks for the info don ... have a good weekend .. †

[@berardia4]

Great teardown video.

[@kylleven]

Hey donyboy73, how do you like those newer briggs engines? ..I just bought a Husqvarna snowblower with a 1150 snow series on it, and it literally made the muffler glow red hot after a few minutes, took it back to the shop - they gave it a valve adjustment, and it fixed the glowing red problem, however I did not want that machine back, so I got another one just like it from a private deal, with only 20 mins runtime on it, so just like a new machine.. that engine doesnt make the muffler glow "nearly" as red.. running on Husqvarnas own bio fuel, but a slight red glowing is visible tho.. I have owned tons of machines, and I never had a Honda, or any of the china-clones glow red.. never ever an older style Briggs either.. Is it just the way they are, the newer ones? Best regards //CC

[@ronniebarker79]

Very helpful vid donyboy 73 my pistons dont look that bad shape would you take a chance and replace the rings and both pil seal's pto and flywheel seal on a Briggs and Stratton classic engine

[@watermanone7567]

Thanks for the great video. Donny. Will you install a new or used engine for that machine for resale?

[@larsandersson4126]

Hi don Do a video when you put a new engine on that snowblower. Have a great weekend

[@somecooney5304]

just happened to me. great vid, thanks.

[@conniemandel1150]

@danyboy73 I have Billy goat leaf blower F602X, 1 yr old. The connecting rod explodes due to empty oil according to Billy goat dealer. My question is, is there any way to fix it. Thank you

[@cardo1111]

Another great vid. I'm wondering if or what tool can be used to tighten those plugs. I have an LCT engine on my Ariens and it has those plugs. Hindsight is always 20/20 but another reason why it is always important to check your oil level before using your equipment. Even if you "think"' your engine is fine.

[@Urbicide]

I just use a screwdriver, holding it "sideways", so that the shank portion is between the 2 ears on the plug. It gives you that extra leverage to either tighten or loosen the cap, & doesn't booger up the cap like it would if you grabbed hold of the "ears" with regular slip-joint pliers.

[@cardo1111]

Urbicide Thanks good tip mine were a bit loose and the screwdriver shank worked well used a short one where clearance was an issue, looks like my dealer put pliers to one of mine.

[@evanchapmanfanman]

I work at a hardware store and we rent equipment out, we almost had one do this but it was leaking oil and was caught before any damage was done

[@throttlebottle5906]

had the same plug spit out and almost didn't notice until too late! it was only noticed because of oil spray all over the enclosed porch windows and it was more of a fine spray/mist blowing out. it made a huge mess and turns out the plug itself got blown off into the yard and wasn't found for months. that was factory installed/tightened plug.. I cleaned the caps and threads, put them back with some loctite

[@barrybebenek8691]

Great tip. Thanks for another informative vid. 👍🏼

[@mili4344]

Is there a clone of replacement engine that would work?

[@KarlBunker]

Such a new-looking snowblower! I'll bet the oil cap was never properly tightened at the factory.

[@mentalbreak4653]

A little dab of rtv silicone will keep the oil cap in place and you can still remove them if necessary

[@87GP400]

Thanks for the info...

[@barrysimms3444]

I use pipe dope on those yellow oil plugs. It makes them stay put

[@pwleppa]

Great video! Thanks!

[@Bigtwin88]

Thanks Don...

[@therealityofit8909]

funny, I just did this about an hour ago on my troy bilt :( .... so here is my question.. These Briggs and Stratton 1350 motors seem to be shifting to either the 1150 or the 1450... would these motors line up all the same? ... If so could I throw on a 2100 series motor easily for the extra horsepower?

[@mohsenkiae]

Great video ! 😄

[@shawnleblanc5457]

That 1350 series mount the same as 1450??

[@donyboy73]

Yes

[@deangeorge5706]

My VoAg teacher had us tighten oil plug with screwdriver.

[@irishtino1595]

I love these videos

[@johnward5890]

I have one the same in the Garage that is have to fix mine was OK when i started it and half way through my 100 yard long driveway the yellow plug on the side i never used. I will fix. Those little yellow caps have been removed from the newer engines because they became a command problem. Made from cheap material and could handle the changes in cold and hot.

[@semco72057]

That engine looks like it was nearly new and didn't have any normal wear on it other than what you mentioned. All that damage just from not knowing to check the oil level on the engine before starting and using the snow blower.

[@Urbicide]

That is why new equipment has several prominent warnings on the machine & in the owner's manual, concerning the necessity of checking & adding the proper amount of engine oil to the crankcase. The owner probably "assumed" that everything was ready-to-go. If the customer had purchased the machine from an actual OPE dealer, instead of a big box store like Sears, it probably would have been serviced prior to the owner taking possession. The only dealer prep done by Sears, would have been to remove the machine from the box that it was shipped in. Most of us (men) probably skip past all the "Safety Sally" liability pages & go instead to the actual operating functions (if we can't figure them out on our own first!)

[@seansysig]

I use a aluminum plug with thread sealant on my snowblower as the plastic plugs would loose after 4 jobs.

[@SuperDd40]

i sillicon those extra plug when i do maintenance

[@robertl2476]

Very good video!

[@tome1136]

Would thread locker work on those plastic plugs?

[@Urbicide]

You can use the shank of a screwdriver (held sideways) between the 2 ears to get enough leverage to either tighten or loosen those caps. That design has been around for a long time. They just need to be snugged down a bit instead of being barely finger tight.

[@tome1136]

Urbicide thanks

[@jrsmowerrepairandlawncare4179]

What are the push rods used for?

[@donyboy73]

to lift open the valves

[@jrsmowerrepairandlawncare4179]

donyboy73 ok thanks! I was kinda figuring that

[@kkovler1]

You would think the guy using the blower would notice oil dripping out onto the area he was cleaning, and you definitely would see oil on the pavement after the snow was removed.

[@PatrickWagz]

yea, exactly hmmmm why did all this white snow SUDDENLY turn grey?? oh well, i gotta get this driveway clear ...

[@TheOzthewiz]

Also, I would have noticed the sound of the engine changing because of oil starvation and SHUT IT DOWN IMMEDIATELY! Possibly saved it from TOTAL destruction. When I run my MTD riding mower (has v-twin B&s ), I never wear ear plugs, because I want to be aware of ANY change in the sound of the engine. Matter of fact, I do the same with vehicles I own. I turn the radio/stereo WAY down to listen for any changes while I'm driving. I think the real "car guys" would rather listen to "music" of the engine and leave the stereo listening when they get home! Call me weird if you want to!

[@SuperJamster1]

I HAVE that same model. Can we use black oil resistant gasket maker to just seal them closed?

[@donyboy73]

yes

[@SuperJamster1]

Sweet, now just have to wait until our blizzard goes to you guys. P.S. Your channel has saved me a bundle over the years, now I fix 1970's 80's mopeds for fun.

[@SuperJamster1]

oh, la vache! I just checked my yellow plugs and they were both loose. I applied a small bit of black gasket sealant. I've watch your channel for years and only realized today that you have a french channel as well.

[@marathoner43]

donyboy73 - I'm not sure if it's practical in Canada, but since that machine looks pretty new, was there any thought of maybe putting a Harbor Freight engine (like the $99 Predator engine) on it? I know the customer didn't want to change the engine, but if he or she doesn't want the unit back, it might make for an interesting video to re-engine it.

[@zx8401ztv]

Wow that's such a shame, it didn't lookold eather :-(. But you have loads of very clean spares that will save another snow blower :-D. Wasting things is this era's big problem, too much is just thown away.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

I agree with the sentiment zx8401ztv - I feel it too, but must be said that the broken parts are going for metal recycling and he is keeping the other parts as spares. It's refurbishing at a molecular level rather than the parts level....

[@zx8401ztv]

Benny Banger, i repair electronics in general for a hobby and to help frends. My family didn't have much money, so learning how to do it yourself was really helpfull, old pcbs full of parts were really usefull :-D. It didn't do me any harm, it's just learning. it's sad that most people are not interested, so a throw away society is created :-(. Sorry i waffle on a lot.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Same story here too zx840ztv! I still have old PCB's and parts laying around....a friend of mine - a chemist - is building a gold extraction system and is collecting PCB's - as a hobby! I have already donated a load of PCB's. I wait to hear how the project goes. And your point about learning by playing with broken, discarded things is very important (or it was to us at least) - the throw away society is missing that opportunity.

[@VickyGeagan]

chinese garbage love my old troy bilt mtd yard machine snowblower has a real tecumseh snow king engine made to last briggs got bought out by cub cadet and now makes cheap chinese knock of engines the ignition coils are also known to go bad and really tough to replace a lot of cheap tiny plastic parts that need to go back in their exact place for them to function properly

[@joeycabral11]

Its a shame it went to scrap but waste is this era's problem like you said and I agree your right

[@skyscraper37]

Can u use thread locker on those?

[@donyboy73]

yes you can

[@doxland]

Maybe Lock wire?

[@brianmoon8864]

Would a short block be a good option here?

[@donyboy73]

at this point not even worth it

[@chriskern4624]

Ugh this just happened to me. Plug vibrated out when blowing. Didn’t realize it until it was too late. boom 💥

[@chriskern4624]

Do you have a recommendation for a new motor? Thinking an 1150 series would fit

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

This could be very easily avoided if the manufacturer, Briggs, took an extra minute and capped those spots off with those special plugs you cannot remove when the engine is going to have a separate oil dipstick, like all snowblower engine's they make now. It would not cost any extra, because I'm sure they already have those special plugs on hand by the box load in the factory. That would help avoid these catastrophic failures. Its true, if I was out removing snow commercially chances are I am not going to check those and make sure they are tight every couple hours so this can happen to anyone at any time easily. The next best thing to do is throw loctite or something like that, on the threads of those caps from the get go, if you do not plan on ever using those caps for any reason. When I do check if they are tight, I would use a flathead screwdriver to tighten them as much as I could when I checked them to help keep them from backing themselves off.

[@mopartshemi]

Donny save all the aluminum blocks and anything with alot of aluminum end of the month year whatever you can get a truckload of 300$

[@int53185]

The same thing happened to me. Fortunately I caught it in time and the engine was ok.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Oh the carnage!

[@fonziyo]

Never thought that could happen.

[@RatKindler]

I think there are several videos of people complaining about this happening to them.

[@aj9270]

what a shame are those plugs pipe thread ? if so might be a cood idea to loctite a metal plug in and not have to worry about it

[@SWATT101]

Ok...checking plugs today on new machine... might just locktite them in

[@Hubjeep]

I'd J-B Weld the plugs in place!

[@RussellBooth1977]

I had the same issue with a 2010 Toyota Hilux which ran the 1GR-FE (4 litre V6) engine when I was volunteering & I was hounding them to get the 10,000 kilometre service done, by 22,000 kilometres since the last service I checked the oil & it only had 1 litre of oil left in it. Now, I'm not sexist, but I literally had to twist a womans arm to get it serviced or it's a $4000 AUD repair bill & that's just for the cost of a used engine,we had to pick up a 5 litre bottle of $30 AUD oil just to save it from that kind of ruin, I was surprised it never blew up. I'd say the engine takes almost 6 litres of oil because I had to add 5 litres of oil to bring the level up to the full mark. That's why I have been trying to find the absolute right person to marry because I've met quite a few women who either don't understand what I'm talking about or they do want that sort of guy who is useless with that sort of thing,so they aren't attracted to a man whose like me. I had that problem in 5th grade of primary school where my teacher (Lynda) thought I was lazy back in 1988 because I had trouble getting onto the likes of people who are & were like that,they were really after me as that sort of man in the future rather than a man who can think for themselves & make decisions. At least now I know there's a woman who wants to marry me whose a bit out of that generation !!!!

I hear You, man.

[@redneckbryon]

It sucks that engines like this are so expensive for us to buy here in Canada I wish prices were equal through Canada and the US. Now with Sears Canada no longer here in Canada the aftermarket for Sears Craftsman equipment can get very expensive. But the bright side is for a snowblower like this, not very old, you could go to Princess Auto and buy a replacement engine for a few hundred, they sell winter ready engines with a 110v electric start and lighting circuit, I think these engines are a direct bolt in for Briggs but I'm not sure about Tecumseh.

[@peterrivney552]

Look at the price of gas , milk and a few other things from Canada and states Trudeau's PETRO CANADA was supposed to save us money but all it did was give us the shaft just like his son is doing to us now...

[@FangTheManokit]

I like to rebuild them for fun, and modify them into go-kart or bike engines

[@gmcinnis6304]

cyl couuld be honed. new rings... sand the piston? dip the crank in ... something to get the spun welded alum rod off it and sand crank with 1000 grit sandpaper. new gasket set, run 20-50 motor oil with STP oil treatment 20%. allow 5 mins warm up time. write that on the gas tank CHECK THE GD OIL/PLUGS BEFORE EACH RUN OF DAY. USE 15-50 MOTOR OIL or 20-50 MOTOR OIL. allow 5 mins warm up inside before first run of the day.

[@howtoanddiychannel2387]

Those old Briggs I’ve seized those and you just sand down the rod and crank and the good to go

[@Lovinflyindrones2022]

Nice video.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

I thought there should have been more oil on the outside, on the engine block and on the tire. It kind of looks like there never was any oil in that engine at all.

[@duramax78]

SLORRIFJART321 good point.

[@lanfan1464]

It was dried on oil, duh. It's owner had a dirty and messy garage, that is why he didn't know oil leaked out. If not, he stored it outside and covered it with a tarp. Any trace of oil on my floor and I would go investigate it out.

[@evanchapmanfanman]

Ouch, that was probably not a nice sound when that engine let go.

[@baggins1]

I need to get some trashed engines. Salvage stash is sad.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Those plugs are good candidates for safety wire. The pliers and wire aren't very expensive.

[@trimecm1611]

I fixed mine with big bolts backed up with nuts and a shit load of Teflon tape, I think they were 3/4 corse thread, never gave massive all at once oil loss another thought! a permanent fix with a quick run to the hardware...

[@gregoryosborn2466]

The lower yellow cap is for draining the oil.

[@lestergillis8171]

There is likely a few good parts that can be salvaged.

[@GRASSSLINGER]

Yipes! That's a lot of damage.

[@danishnative9555]

It's too bad there is not some alternative oil plug maybe made of more durable material available. Plastic and heat and vibration not good. Since that oil port is not used much in this application it would be nice to be able to replace the plastic with something more secure. Maybe made of metal with an O-ring.

[@Urbicide]

That plastic plug design has been used for many years now. Unless the threads on the cap are poorly made, using the shank of a screwdriver (held sideways) between the 2 tabs on the plug gives you some extra leverage to either tighten or loosen the cap. A metal plug, if made up of aluminum, is prone to seize in the aluminum crankcase, unless the threads are first given a coating of anti-seize compound. A steel plug would obviously be much stronger, but if it is over-tightened by some ham-fisted individual, it could potentially strip the threads out of the aluminum. I hate that when it happens!

[@karlbenedict1281]

Wow, that is a shame. I think I would replace those with a steel plug or bolt and some thread locker.

[@philliphall5198]

I would use a tube of silicone on them plugs so they never come out