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We have tried everything we can think of. Changed a blown fuse. Checked the starter. Checked the wiring. When we had the battery on a charger it started, but now it won't start when on the charger. The motor turns over but acts like it's sticking and won't do anything. (it did this when we had the charger hooked up directly to the charger). Any ideas???
we have put new spark plugs on. the oil has already been changed.

When a battery is weak, it may not start even on a charger. If the motor turns but does so weakly, then it would seem to be the battery or the starter is dragging. Make sure also, that all the safety switches are oaky. If these go bad, they will also keep the motor from starting.

2009-04-15 12:21:03 by His Wife

An early quot;reelquot; blade lawn mower built by Toro in June 1950. It has a Briggs and Stratton model 8 gasoline engine. Starts with one pull ...

I bought a new Bolens riding lawn mower with a 15.5 hp Briggs & Stratton motor with a 2 year warrenty on it. Well just two weeks after my 2 year warrenty was up I started my mower and blew a 3 inch hole through the motor. I am an aircraft mechanic and tuned up and changed the oil in it every year. I heard that Briggs & Stratton are now made in China and from my experience I believe it now.

I was lucky and found a 1992 Montgomery Ward Industrial,Commercial 7 speed 42 inch riding mower with a 12.5 hp Briggs & Stratton I/C Quite Industrial Commercial moter for $150.
What I want to know is why is my current 17 year old lawn mower still going strong and new ones today only seem to last for two years.

Like I said I am an aircraft mechanic.. My boat is a 1989 Maxum Cuddy with a Force 125 that still runs like new, My car is a 1971 Plymouth Satellite that was still running on it's original spark plugs and starter when I got it. I guess the days of being made in the U.S.A. meaning anything are over.

I have been looking for my next riding lawn mower to come with anything but a Briggs & Stratton motor. I am sure though that my 17 year old B&S has a few more years left in it. Heck I think that I should just rebuild my current riding mower and motor since it seems that anything new today is built only to last through it's warrenty and nothing else.

Spike2428

Find out where B$S head office is. Take photos of your damaged engine in detail.. Write a description and history to them and ask them if their current engines are doing this and why did this one malfunction when in a normal operation mode and did not run out of oil for some reason.. Perhaps an oil leak occurred and the engine unexpectedly ran out of oil.. You are an aircraft mechanic and can understand that something serious went wrong to inflict such damage.. Manufacturers usually appreciate feed back and you never know.. You might get a bonus.

2009-04-22 21:55:24 by Scott F

Price: $79.99 $79.99

Replaces Briggs Stratton Service Part #497595, 394805, 392744, 392749, 494325, 390838, and 693054
For Most Single Cylinder and V-twin Engines from 8 through 26 Horsepower
Genuine Briggs Stratton Part

I was in the market for a lawn mower and found that Sears had the best selection and on that day, the best deals. I purchased a Craftsman 21" mulch and bag mower with a 190cc Briggs & Stratton 6.75 ft.lb torque for $80 off at $250 and has 2 year warranty. I was used to a primer button and an engine rated in horse power, but this one has 'Ready start' and no primer. Is it an auto choke like on some Artic Cat atvs or not. Has there been any trouble? Who makes Craftsman mowers??? Is it TORO? It seems to be a quality piece, the deck is thick and seems to be a heavy duty material, not like the MTDs I've looked at.
I just found out that 'Husqvarna' made my particular mower based on the source code '944' in the beginning of the item number '944.36819'.

Briggs & Stratton Engines equipped with the Ready Start feature which defeat the need for a primer bulb because the necessary amount of fuel is fed to the carburetor prior to starting. There is no choking required on any Craftsman mower. You are correct about the manufacturer, it is an American subsidary of the Husqvarna Group. The decks on Craftsman mowers are made of a heavy guage steel which makes them a little weighty, but gives them a better quality.

2008-05-21 15:47:21 by scottfurlong@nl.rogers.com

Price: $79.99 $78.99

Genuine Briggs Stratton Part
For Opposed Twin Cylinder Engines from 14 through 24 Horsepower
Replaces Briggs Stratton Service Part #497596; 394808, 394674, 393017, 393019, 394247, 498595, and 498594

My lawnmower is a bit older Craftsman model, gas powered 5.5 briggs & stratton motor. I do the pump to prime the gas to carburator 10 times and voila it starts right up. but then dies less than 15 seconds later. I've tried pumping it more times to have more gas for prime, but sure enough, dies right after it burns off that intial blast of gas. I'm so broke right now I cannot afford the $55 fee the shop wants to check it out. I changed the spark plug on it 2 years ago, and it still looks good. Any ideas what else I should try? I need really good detail directions,,not afraid to get my hands dirty or break a nail :) just need to know what to take off to clean or whatever to get it running. I live in mobile home park and they are going to fine me if I don't get grass done soon. THANKS!! If you need to email me diagram or such, marwe97@yahoo.com.

You have one of two problems.
Tell me if the carburator is separate from the gas tank. If so follow the instructions below. If the carb is mounted on top of the tank there is a different procedure.
The needle valve located in the fuel bowl of the carbourator is stuck or one of the small holes in the carb (called a jet or an orifice) is clogged. Both often happen when gas is left in the mower for more that a few (4) months.
TO fix.
Drain the gas tank and assume the gas is rotten.(unless you have just filled it from a FRESH gas source.
Remove the carb bowl. THis is done by looing under the carb and you will find a 1/2hex bolt. Unscrew it. (Some fuel will drain out)
Let the lower part of the carb drop down (it looks like a small cup) Don' tear or loose the black rubber ring gaslet.
Now look for a flot which appears like a small doughnut. Riding on top of the float is a tiny metal square shaft with a fine point on the end. This is the needle valve.
Carefully remove, wipe clean and look up inside where the needel valve pointed and wipe that as well.
Now for the orifices (jet). There are a couple of possibilities.
Look on the side of the tube that the float (doughnut) was around. You may find a very tiny spot that is a brown color. If you do that is an orifice that has been plugged with a blob of old gas goo. Use a very fine needle and poke the plug out of the hole. Note that not all carbs have this. It will be quite apparent if yours does. Next looking up inside the tube you wil l see a brass colored item with a straight screwdriver slot in it. Unscrew, and inspect to see if the orifice is clean.
Reassemble all.
Refil the tank
Prime and start and mow.
Enjoy.
Eric

2008-06-13 10:41:04 by inchca

Straight HD-30 above 40 degrees...., use a 5w-30 multi weight conventional below 40...., be sure to check the oil level religously.... I do it every time before I start it cold... this insures you have the proper level and won't seize or blow the engine.... thats how bad they need that proper level... OR use a 5w-30 synthetic or 10w-30 synthetic all year round. Change it every 25 hours....

2006-04-20 11:13:56 by oicur82