OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines B&S recoil starter not engaging...

Hi,

The neighbour has got his hands on a 17" Model 45 with a B&S on it. The engine is in good nick, as is the mower itself. I did an oil change and checked the spark plug before firing it up and it all looked good.

It started after 4-5 pulls, but it was a trial to get those pulls out of it because the recoil started wouldn't engage most of the time. I found that if I removed the plastic flywheel cover and rotated it a couple of inches, it would engage for one pull.

It is a 3HP red engine.

Any ideas on a fix or does it need replacing?

Ben.

No, it doesn't need replacing Ben. It needs to be dismantled and cleaned. Somehow it has got sticky substance in the compartments where the balls have to roll up the sprags to engage, so the balls are stuck and don't roll. This is usually caused by someone having sprayed it with lubricant, but occasionally it has been left out in the rain long enough to rust the balls to the cast iron.

You can get a detailed, illustrated description of how to fix it here:
http://www.tpub.com/content/recoveryvehicles/TM-5-4240-501-14P/css/TM-5-4240-501-14P_161.htm

Use the "next" button at the top of the page to access subsequent pages. The key information is two pages further on.

If this is unclear, just post again here and we'll try to help. Remember, one drop of oil on the pivot shaft, and no trace of lubricant anywhere else, especially the balls and ball pockets.