OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines 16 inch Mowers with Briggs Motors

It is a pity because it runs so well it is just every now and then it decides it won't turn over, then the next pull it is fine and will start. I will probably just put it back in the shed again for a few more years

Hi Norm and All,

I just go by the 3 rules for a motor to work correctly.

1 Spark / 2 Fuel / 3 mechanical condition of all motor parts .

If the motor won't turn over when starting and it's not the coil rubbing on the flywheel and the motor
is not seized then it would be a compression issue,this type of motor you can rule out fuel leaking
into the cylinder but if the guides or rings are not within the correct specification then oil can leak
into the cylinder causing it to hydraulic lock when starting but if that was the case on start up
the engine will blow smoke for a several seconds.

These motors have a Automatic Compression Release mechanism on the camshaft that holds the
valve open on starting if this is malfunctioning compression is not released causing the engine
to lock up when starting.

Cheers
Max.

Hi Max, I guess it is the ACR but it only happens about 1 in 5 starts and when it starts it runs fine. I will put it aside for a rainy day.

Hi Norm, I would check the easiest things first ,like the flywheel is not slightly loose and moving on the cranks
keyway or sometimes I've had bad spark plugs that cause backfiring and it doesn't take much time to change the
coil just in case that has an intermittent problem .

It's just that you mentioned the starter handle being ripped out of your hand with the lighter blade assembly,
that's not a compression issue it's usually advanced spark or loose (slipping) blade plate on the crank or slipping
crank blade plate boss.

Cheers
Max.

It sounds like a good mower (for a cheapo four stroke).
It would be good to see if we can sort it and what was the cause etc.

Hi Max,
the original blade was one of the 300 gram Sprinter ones and they can't cant slip because the blade is located on lugs. When it decided to grab it would nearly pull my fingers off Good point about the coil I will give that a try but I don't think it is a timing issue

Hi Norm,
Yes it can't be the blade plate or boss because that has been changed and it's still got the
starting problem.

I would try another coil and if that doesn't work increase the air gap between the coil and flywheel just
to see if the problem changes.

Cheers
Max.

Hi Max,
I think you nailed it, I changed the coil and I started it about 4 times and it didn't kick back but it is still heavy to pull, like it is high in compression. Certainly not suitable for a woman to start, it feels as heavy as some of those 5hp Quantams. I will try it a few times tomorrow and let you know

Hi Max,
It wasn't the coil, it kicked back this morning and then I put a new plug in it and so far it seems to be ok, hopefully this has solved it.