Briggs v-twin backfiring

Prawn Farmer · Jan 13, 2014

Have a 16 hp Briggs v-twin model 303440 1320 E1 in a 2003 Toro 2100 workman with trans-axle speed governor. Ran most of the summer and into early winter with no problems and then one day it seemed to gradually lose power over a couple of hours of running time and finally just fell flat.
Started out by checking air filter and noticed it was sitting in a pool of raw gas in the air cleaner bowl. Bought new air filter, new fuel filter and changed oil and shot some carb cleaner through venturi while it was running.
Ran okay for a hour or so and now it has no power again, hard to start and is backfiring through the carb.
Appreciate any suggestions.

Bob · Jan 13, 2014

Check for bent pushrods. Valves stick, causing the pushrods to bend.

Hanky · Jan 13, 2014

How do the head gaskets look?

Bret4207 · Jan 13, 2014

(quoted from post at 23:11:37 01/12/14) Check for bent pushrods. Valves stick, causing the pushrods to bend.

Ditto. Very common issue with that design.

Prawn Farmer · Jan 13, 2014

So this is a common problem?
Thanks, will remove push rods and will need to find out what the valve lash is supposed to be. Will also inspect both head gaskets for signs of leaks.
Got this on a barter type arrangement in a semi-running condition so I don't have much invested in it. Yet, anyway.

IH2444 · Jan 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 08:43:15 01/13/14)

(quoted from post at 23:11:37 01/12/14) Check for bent pushrods. Valves stick, causing the pushrods to bend.

Click to expand...

Ditto. Very common issue with that design.

Yep synthetic oil will usually prevent that problem.

Briggs v-twin backfiring

Prawn Farmer

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Bob

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Hanky

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Bret4207

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Prawn Farmer

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IH2444

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