CALLING ALL BRIGGS EXPERTS!

Here is what we have done so far:
--Replaced the solenoid
--Replaced the key switch with a new one.
--Adjusted the valves to .007 (both) as the B/S web site said. --Battery is new and tests good.

Here is my problem:

When I turn the key to start the engine the first couple of seconds there is nothing. I continue to hold the key in start for about 5 seconds more it will try to turn over and sometimes it will start. If I let off of the key before it starts it makes a slight whinning sound and the flywheel actually turns backwards just a little bit.

NOTE: "Whinning" may be the wrong word..... .it almost sounds like a little bit of air is trying to squeeze through a tiny opening.

THEN when I turn if off the whinning sound occurs again and the flywheel will turn backwards just a little bit.

ALSO, when it is running there is a lot of vibration. You can feel it everywhere, in the steering wheel, clutch pedal etc.

AND I can hear what I call a slight metal tapping sound but it is hard to hear.

I went to the Briggs site and found out that both valves are to be set at .007 so that is what I did.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Debbie

Kent

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Debbie

Debbie

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Debbie

Debbie

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Debbie

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Debbie

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Debbie

We have checked the starter and believe that everything is okay. Now to go inside and have a look. I really thank you for your help. I can not wait to look inside. We worked on this engine until pretty late last night. That sound that I hear occurs even if we turn the flywheel by hand without the key turned to start. I don't think that my description of the sound is correct but I just can't think of another word to describe it. Also we can only turn the flywheel about one turn by hand before it just gets to tight.Then it will bounce backwards just a little and then the sound occurs. Also, since we did not take the engine off last night my husband wanted to try to crank it one last time and it cranked up BUT when he let it sit for a while it would not crank. It would not even turn over. There just seems to be something holding that flywheel back. Do you think that it could be a partially damaged flywheel key?

Thanks and have a wonderful day!!

Debbie

Here is an update to our problem. We took the engine off.

Took the cam out and measured the lobes-they were fine.

Could not find the compression release. IS THERE SUPPOSED TO BE A SPRING ON THE CAM?? We really don't know what a compression release looks like.

Looked at the valves-they look good. Actually everything inside this engine looks good.

Have not taken pistons out yet.

The question that we have right now is: Does anyone have a picture of a compression release? Can someone describe to us where it should be located?

We have taken pictures of the cam itself if anyone would like me to email them I can.

This engine has really depressed me. I know that I am missing something but don't know what it could be.

Thanks for all of your help and patience with me. I am learning new things everyday!!

Debbie

1. Can you turn the engine over by hand with the spark plugs out? How about using the starter?
2. One of the few times a compression test is useful on a lawn mower engine. If your compression is OVER about 120 PSI, then your ACR (Automatic Compression Release) is NOT WORKING.
3. To be honest with you it sonds like the motor is bound up though.
4. As far as identifying the ACR, can you post a picture of the camshaft? Do this with the gear down, shaft sticking up. There are a couple different kinds of ACR's. Most use a flyweight on the cam with a spring mechanism that actuates either a lever or a set of balls on the exhaust lobe, or more recently, on the intake lobe of the cam. On the newer Briggs Inteks, there are no moving parts, the ACR is just part of the ramp on the cam.

Replaced all gaskets...
Replaced the cam with a new one... Replaced all rings.... Both cylinders measured fine.... Tapets are good.... Push rod fine... Set the valves at .004 THE WHINNING SOUND IS GONE!! Must have been the rings.

Results....The mower is still hard to start!!!! When you turn the key the flywheel tries to move. If we keep bumping the key it will start. But it is still hard to start. Flywheel is still hard to turn by hand. The push rod on cylinder #2 keeps coming off (????) Compression on both cylinders is 160

What we did not do... We did not take the crankshaft out. It appears to be fine. Should we have taken it out for any reason??

ONE MORE THING...Maybe we are not finding TDC correctly (we are starting to doubt ourselves) could someone go over finding TDC in detail with me just to make sure we are right?
Next for this engine...

We have ordered a new starter, it should arrive today.

We don't know what else to try. If anyone can figure this one out it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks to all that have helped out. You give us hope!!!

Thanks again,

Debbie

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Debbie

GUESS WHAT!!!!! WE WERE NOT AT TDC CORRECTLY!!

After going back and reading through all the threads to this subject we stepped back and looked at things again. Don told me that you have to walk away from it and when you do go back to it you will walk right up on the problem.

How did we get this procedure wrong? We really don't know. But.....I guarantee that this learning experience will never leave us.

Haste mixed with aggrevation = trip to doc for Prozac!!

Now that the valves are set correctly the engine will turn over just fine. We did experience very high RPMS and had to go back in to find that the flyweights had broke off. CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT CAUSED THAT!! Can you give me the possible reasons for that just in case it could have been our fault? Maybe,when we reassembled the engine, we may not have secured it properly??

Order a new mech. governor and it arrived yesterday. Went to put it on and OH MY!! This little thing is tricky. We are having trouble getting the flyweights to close around the spool. Now ,do know that I may not have used the proper wording with that description. Repair manual is a little vague on how to install this governor. The flyweights will not come up around the spool. So..... ...what are we doing wrong NOW?????

We are so close now to ending this saga.....and I do appreciate everyone's patience and help with this.

T-Man your first comic strip can be about us. It should bring a pretty good laugh to someone's day.

YOU ALL ARE AWESOME AND HAVE STUCK IT OUT WITH ME. I have learned more from you guys than I learned in the tech class that I attended. I appreciate you all more than you can ever imagine.

Don, thanks for taking the time to talk with me on the phone. I am pretty confident that it will NOT be our last time talking!!! LOL...

Now I will wait for your help on this governor and maybe we can CLOSE THIS CASE.

Thanks to all and have a most wonderful day!!!!!

Debbie