Briggs with leaky head gasket?

GEO-TH, In · May 15, 2019

Friend was given a 54 inch craftsman mower. Voltage regulator was fired. Replaced it and got it running. Left head gasket was leaking. So friend replace gasket and coated it with #2 permatex. New gasket is leaking.

So is using permatex on head gasket a bad idea? I've never used anything on head gaskets.

Friend has no manual and doesn't know torque sequence either.

Best we could find head bolt torque is about 20#ft.

Any advice?

kencombs · May 15, 2019

First question: is the head surface flat? Sealer shouldn't be needed, but shouldn't cause a leak either.

jeffcat · May 15, 2019

Go on the net and type in Check chart Briggs and Stratton. Gives you all of the answers.

GEO-TH, In · May 15, 2019

No model 44P777. No torque sequence either.

I'm guessing models 445000 my be close, not sure.

kencombs · May 15, 2019

Geo, I found that model number in the first page of the Google response.

Donald Lehman · May 15, 2019

Shouldn't need sealer if the head isn't warped. Take a piece of double thickness glass. Tape a piece of emery cloth on the glass. Lay it on a flat surface and slide the head over it in a circular motion for 15 or 20 strokes. More than likely you will find that it isn't flat.

roy prins · May 15, 2019

Yep -- warped head -- btdt -- Roy

GEO-TH, In · May 15, 2019

He didn't check for flatness. Like others said, good chance head is warped.

T.R.K. · May 15, 2019

I would try again without Permatex. They seal just fine without any help. And I would OIL the threads and torque the bolts to specification.

Also, to prevent that happening in the future, don't close the throttle before you switch it off. Any kind of backfire is bad for head gaskets.

Briggs with leaky head gasket?

GEO-TH, In

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kencombs

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jeffcat

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GEO-TH, In

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kencombs

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Donald Lehman

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roy prins

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GEO-TH, In

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T.R.K.

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