Briggs & Stratton problems
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Briggs & Stratton problems
Im having trouble with my tiller which has a briggs motor on it. I filled it up with gas and then about 10 minutes later it suddenly died. I am unable to start it no matter what I try. We are in the middle of a landscaping project and need it as soon as possible. Are there any common problems or issues with the 5HP briggs and startton motors? I am good at engine building but unfortaienly I am terrible at engine troubleshooting. Ant help would be greatly apperciated. Thanks in advance
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 0
From: Southern MD
First, pull the spark plug and lay it on the head, yank the yanker and see if you get a good blue spark. If no spark, try another plug. Still no spark? Check the points if it has points.
If you have good spark, try some starting fluid in the carb. If it starts and then stops, make sure there is no water in the fuel, and the fuel is fresh.
That's the basics, lots of other stuff to check, but if I can't see and hear it, not much more I can do here on the board.
If you have good spark, try some starting fluid in the carb. If it starts and then stops, make sure there is no water in the fuel, and the fuel is fresh.
That's the basics, lots of other stuff to check, but if I can't see and hear it, not much more I can do here on the board.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
If you have spark, it sounds like you lost fuel supply.
Does it have an in-line filter? If so, replace it.
Does it have a primer bulb? If it does, does it fill when you mash it with your finger tip?
Any chance you have water in the gas? if so, try to drain the tank and refill and add a little fuel drier (like HEET).
Does it have an in-line filter? If so, replace it.
Does it have a primer bulb? If it does, does it fill when you mash it with your finger tip?
Any chance you have water in the gas? if so, try to drain the tank and refill and add a little fuel drier (like HEET).
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Northern MD
Does it run when the choke is on? If so, it's a fuel problem. Is the fuel tank above the carb or below it? If the tank is below the carb, then there's a good chance that the pickup tube has become clogged with lint, etc. Also, if the fuel tank is below the carb, check the diaphragm. If it gets a hole in it, no fuel will be pumped to the carb. The diaphragm spring can also be weak. But this won't apply if it's a nwere engine. The newer 5.5 HP Intek may or may not be configured this way. Your best bet is to check the fuel path. It's more than likely it has become clogged.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Hey guys thanks for the help. After some kicking and cursing I finally got it started. Its always run bad kinda misses and runs rough. Now that I think of it Ill bet the pickup tube is clogged or something because I think it uses engine vacum to pull gas out of the tank. Thanks again I didnt excpet so many posts. One more thing it is a single cylinder. The tank is below the engine. Another possiblity is that the line got some air in it and didnt want to fire. Next time it dies on me I will check all the stuff youall said.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Don't discount water in the gas. Depending on the slope you are on at any given time, the water (if there is any) in the bottom of the tank can slosh around and get picked up by the fuel pick-up tube.
If it were mine I'd clean and re-oil the air filter, then pour some gas drier in the tank.
If it were mine I'd clean and re-oil the air filter, then pour some gas drier in the tank.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
The carb's on these small motor's get plugged with the smallest micron of dirt, they are very easy to clean. I myself would never use starting fluid, that is like giving the cylinder wall a real good bath, not good for those motor's.
The flywheel key is a common problem with these small motor's as well. If you pull the spark plug and have zero compression that is the 1st thing to look for.
The flywheel key is a common problem with these small motor's as well. If you pull the spark plug and have zero compression that is the 1st thing to look for.
Last edited by ranger429; Jul 9, 2004 at 03:34 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Originally Posted by ranger429
The carb's on these small motor's get plugged with the smallest micron of dirt, they are very easy to clean. I myself would never use starting fluid, that is like giving the cylinder wall a real good bath, not good for those motor's.
The flywheel key is a common problem with these small motor's as well. If you pull the spark plug and have zero compression that is the 1st thing to look for.
The flywheel key is a common problem with these small motor's as well. If you pull the spark plug and have zero compression that is the 1st thing to look for.
Spray some Carb cleaner in it the next time it acts up. If it continues to run bad, take the carb off and take it apart and soak it all in carb cleaner for 15 minutes, then put it back together, do not let the rubber or plastic sit in the carb cleaner for long, it will eat those up. If that does not solve it, get a carb rebuild kit from a Briggs dealer and rebuild it. That should be the worst case scenario.