Vanguard Engine ????

Dutchman · Jun 22, 2011

Hi All,
While mowing yesterday , I blew my engine up { will it knock and quit and it doesn't turn over now }

I found a Briggs Stratton Vanguard it is a 2 cyl w/iron cyl. liners and spin on oil filter ...

Question : Is this a good engine for a mower ??

sorry it's not a BIG tractor question...

THANKS for ANY ADVICE you share ...

Mark

Bob · Jun 22, 2011

I've got a half-dozen or so around, never had a problem 'cept sticky valves/bent pushrods, but cured that 100% by running synthetic oil.

GOOD engines, IMHO.

Joneil · Jun 22, 2011

I bought a mower on clearance. It had been returned and the engine rebuilt for bent push rods/valves. It had ten hours on it when I got it. I put one hour on it before it crapped out. Could just be something about that specific engine, but the valve problems seem to be pretty common.

OliverGuy · Jun 22, 2011

We"ve got several, on larger walk behind mowers, one on the straw blower and five on walk behind leaf blowers (those are really strong blowers). They"ve been good engines for us. The oldest one on a 52" walk behind has close to 3000 hours and never been apart.

RayP(MI) · Jun 22, 2011

I repowered a Deere 140 garden tractor with a 18hp Vangard V-twin. Have beatup on it for several years. Only major problem was a valve seat that came out of head. Forced it back in, tapped around it with a punch, and it's been running great ever since.

JBMac · Jun 22, 2011

I"ve got a 21 horse B&S on my Hustler. Not Sure if its a Vanguard or not, but it is twin cylinder. It"s the homeowners special. I purchased becuse it"s a commercial mower frame and deck with a cheaper engine. We have a good dealer nearby, we work the grease out of 3 commercial Hustlers at work. Apparently, they dont run well on a kerosene blend (my brother-in-law accidentally ran contaminated fuel in it!) The dealer replaced the rings and it has run like a champ ever since. After I broke in the new rings, I have been running full synthetic. Lot"s of power, but it"s loud!

elmersooner · Jun 22, 2011

we use vanguards on all of our pumps on our firetrucks---longest we've had is ten years old and works good....volunteer firefighters aren't known to be the best on preventive maintenance so they all have synthetic oil. only complaint we have had is the oil pressure safety switch will trip if the ride is too rough and try to shut the pump off....usually only happens when the chief is driving over big obstacles at a higher than recommended speed.

Jon Hagen · Jun 22, 2011

Have seen them stick valves and bend parts plus rocker studs backing out.(loose studs maybe related to the sticky valves)

Locktite the rocker studs in and run synthetic oil, no more problem.

VicS · Jun 22, 2011

I have a 18 hp twin Vangard on a GT235 John Deere, It is about 8 yrs old. I love it, because it has been trouble free. I use 15WX40W Diesel oil in it, and fill it about 1 inch to full. I mow on some steep slopes. My neighbor has a 318 JD with a kohler and 48 in deck, I have a 54 in deck the Vangard will mow faster.

pat sublett · Jun 22, 2011

They are the best B&S engine by far. They are actually designed by mitsibishi and built in Japan.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Jun 22, 2011

According to a friend that does small engine repair, the early Briggs 2 cylinders had problems with push rods bending, but that was the home owner version. The Vanguard is a heavier duty version, and not prone to much trouble. That being said, I now own my second Vanguard equipped mower, with no problems on either.

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Jun 22, 2011

The single cyl engines are Mitsubishi, the V twins are Daihatsu.

Old Roy · Jun 23, 2011

I have an 18 Hp Vanguard Horizontal shaft.
I never had a valve stick, ( Keep my fingers crossed ) , But i Have had them go out of adjustment. Usually starts up real good ,but when the valves start getting loose the ACR causes the starter to labor and I have had starter problems till I found out what was causing it .

Spook · Jun 23, 2011

Have had one on my 0 turn for 5 years, no issues.

Rick Kr · Jun 23, 2011

Have the 32hp Vanguard on my zero-turn, runs perfect, at WOT all the time, too. 4 years old and going strong.

Rick

Vanguard Engine ????

Dutchman

Well-known Member

Bob

Well-known Member

Joneil

Member

OliverGuy

Well-known Member

RayP(MI)

Well-known Member

JBMac

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elmersooner

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Jon Hagen

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VicS

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pat sublett

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john .?-!. cub owner

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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Old Roy

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Spook

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Rick Kr

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