Going to buy a new Techumseh engine.

Thank you for contacting Briggs & Stratton E-Customer Support!

A composite cam is very reliable and has been in use for about 10 years. The polymer composite material has a higher tensile strength than steel. We have not had any problems with the composite cams.

The Briggs & Stratton Quantum XM has a life span of 800 hours.

As far as High end goes (my $.02) Honda makes a great engine, as well as Kohler and Wisconsin-Robin they each have their strengths, depends on the purpose it is used.

• Quantum XM

Tecumseh went thru a bad time in the late 70,s thru mid 80's, they just did not seem to be a good engine at all. now there does not seem to be much if any difference between them and Briggs and Robin. Kohler and Honda seem to be at the top of the heap for long life and dependability, but you pay for that.

Ben, i'm with you! Many years ago i use to rent out a few pumps and other things that had small gas engines. A b&s IC powered pump would last about 2 years tops! A b&s cheapie mower would be down on power and useing oil in one year. The Kohler engines last a long time, but used a lot of fuel, are harder to start and are quite noisy. Finally i got some Honda's and one Kubota 4" pump. What a change!!! I've NEVER wore out a Honda to this day, and i still have the Kubota pump as i irrigate sweetcorn with it here on the farm! Honda's start very easily, run quiet, and use a "lot" less fuel!! BTW, i always did 10 hour oil changes on these engines. I've been on farm forums where the question was asked, Who Makes "The Best Small Gas Engines" and out of 50 answers from guys all across the country, 48 will say Honda!! I Agree! Yea, i know Briggs sells ohv engines these days, and they are a HUGE improvement. They were designed in, and are made in Japan! As to the origional post, you probably won't wear out even a cheapie motor with the use you have planned, so i'd say give it a try! Robert

The key to making any engine last long and run right is maintenance. Those small engines work in the worst envirinment (pollen, dust etc.) with the least equipment to protect them (no oil filter cooling fins plugged with oil/grass paste, sponge air filter), and the minimum of maintenance (taken out for the first of the season with last year's gas and oil, air filter plugged with the same oil/grass/dust paste,), and it runs.

My two cents:

Hondas start all the time but have little torque and can not withstand continued day to day use;

B & S start eventually and have better torque than Honda and can withstand some regular day to day use;

Tecumsehs start easily and don't rev as well as a honda but have impressive torque for the horsepower, probably the best for the less expensive engines short of a Wisonsin ANEL series or cast block/sleeve Kolher,and they run every day; and

Maintenance is the issue.

When I use my 2 cycle trimmer, I run the gas dry every time.

I don't leave gas in over the winter or any extended period. If my last use is spring and that item is next to be used at fall, then the gas is depleted, system cleared from gas, and oil is checked or replaced.

So, how much will you use this engine, and if it is only for occasional use, then any engine will work if maintained. Or buy a Wisconsin series for about $1400-2100 dollars for a single cylinder less than 10 hp, and it will lighten your pocketbook and last forever, if maintained.