2-1/2 HP Briggs Stratton

John B. · Jun 3, 2017

I have a small 2-1/2 HP Briggs & Stratton side shaft engine. It runs fine but the recoil ratchet puts out a high pitch squeel and spits the rope out. I've taken the ratchet off and apart cleaned the crankshaft, and the drive that fits over the crankshaft, cleaned the balls and their housing. If feels great when you turn the housing by hand but when it runs it squeels bad. Some one told me years ago that all these parts are suppose to be put together dry no oil or grease. What is the cure for this squeeling??

Thanks,
JOhn B.

Richard G. · Jun 3, 2017

I asked the old man that runs repair shop near here, How much oil should I put on it?
He said about 1/2 drop.
Richard in NW SC

Indiana Ken · Jun 3, 2017

I have a 5 HP B&S on a wood splitter. The engine/splitter is about 30 years years old and several years back the starter got to squealing. I lubed it with oil, then grease but it would come back.

I finally drilled the starter ratchet and epoxied two short bronze bushings, from the hardware store, in place. The sintered bushings will hold lube. Been working for maybe 5 years now.

John B. · Jun 3, 2017

I remembered I had a B&S repair manual in my little library and I found it in there. It said one drop of motor oil. I will try that tomorrow.

tractorguy2 · Jun 4, 2017

Inside the square shaft there should be a small felt pad. That pad needs to be oiled. The end of the square shaft has a small hole. You put the tip of your oil can in the hole to oil the felt.

Do not oil the balls.

John B. · Jun 5, 2017

I put a couple of drop of 3-in-1 oil in that little hole and it's working fine now. I knew not to oil the balls otherwise they will eventually become sticky and won't engage.

2-1/2 HP Briggs Stratton

John B.

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Richard G.

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Indiana Ken

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John B.

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tractorguy2

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John B.

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