QuestionQUESTION: Model No. 170402 0714-01 7006251.
With the engine on the bench and the oil drained, when I tip the engine up on edge, it sounds like something sliding around inside. With the oil drained, is there anything that should be sliding around? I want to check inside, but want to be sure of a couple things.
The oil pan is the side where the shaft comes through isn't it? Also, when the pan is removed is there anything under spring pressure that could fly out? Anything else I should be careful about whwn removing the oil pan?
Thanks.
ANSWER: It is possible you are hearing the governor or the valve tappets.
When you remove the pan, make sure the engine flywheel side is positioned facing down. This should prevent the cam, tappets and governor from falling out when you remove the pan.
Pay attenting to the timing marks on the cranshaft and cam gear. If you remove the cam, mark each tappet for the intake and exhaust valve. Also, not the direction of the connecting rod...eaiser to mark or take a digital picture. If you are removing the head, make sure the piston is marked...they are usually knotched indicating the flywheel or front of the engine.
Let me know if this helps.
Eric
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QUESTION: You said what I'm hearing may be the governor or valve tappets. Would this be normal when the oil is drained, or would it indicate a piece broken off the governor or tappets?
This engine was on my father's snowblower about 5 or 6 years ago. The S.N. indicates it was made in 1970.
About 5 or 6 years ago my father was using it and it stalled. The starter cord would not budge. He presumed oil was low and the engine froze up.
It has been sitting under his back porch, covered with a tarp since then. He purchased a used engine for the snowblower.
A few months ago, just for the heck of it, I thought I'd try it. When I pulled the cord I was surprised to find it pulled out and retracted with no problems.
I moved it to the bench in me cellar drained the oil, which had quite a bit of water in it, I presumed from condensation over the years it sat outside.
It was after tipping the engine up it's very edge to drain the oil that I first heard the noise.
It's just about as empty of oil as it could get. That's why I was wondering if the noise is a tappet or governor, if it's something that could be expected when the oil is drained, or it may be sonmething broken.
Thanks.
ANSWER: Normally you can't hear any parts inside the engine with the oil drained. If you remove the spark plug and place your thumb on the spark plug hole while pulling the rope will the compression push you thumb off the spark plug hole?
This is not a quality compression test method but it will tell you if the rod and piston are moving.
Are you overhauling or just trying to start the engine?
Do not take off the pan or head if you are just trying to see if the engine will start.
Let me know.
Eric
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QUESTION: Did as you suggested, put my thumb over the plug hole and pulled the starter. There was no pressure at all. I tried to look inside the plug hole while pulling the starter. I could see one valve going up and down. How many valves are in this engine?
After pulling the starter and it retracts, the flywheel and shaft continue to spin for a few seconds. Is that normal?
You asked if I was trying to rebuild the engine or if I was just trying to start it. My original goal was just to start it so I could put it back on the snowblower. This engine has an electric starter, along with the regular rope pull starter. When the engine was working, on the snowblower, the electric starter was sure a lot easier to use than the pull starter.
The replacement engine only has a rope pull starter.
Over 20 years ago I tore down put back together a couple lawnmower engines with good luck. It was mostly just to see what made them tick. I did replace the rings in one mower. It has been so long I've forgotten a lot.
If I decide to rebuild this engine, is there a kit with the necessary parts?
By the way, can an auto compression tester be used on small engines. I had one once and it may still be around here somewhere.
Do you know of a dvd with engine rebuild instructions?
Thanks.
AnswerThere are two valves in the engines. Behind the carburetor is the valve plate. You can remove the valve cover and see if both valves are moving.
One final test, use a standard drinking straw or a WD-40 red straw and insert it in the spark plug hole at an angle so the straw is not hitting the valves. DO NOT drop the straw. Slowly pull the rope to see if the piston comes up and hits/pushes on the straw. If you can't feel the piston moving up and down the most likely the connecting rod is broke. I've see old Kohler piston pins break but have never seen this in a Briggs engine...Briggs engine connecting rods break at the crankpin. I suspect the rod is broke in your engine but a stuck valve will also prevent compression...ususally the intake sticks. Regardless, if you can't feel the piston moving the rod is broke. Auto compression testers work fine but are not very useful on single cylinder engines...much more useful for testing the Briggs twin cylinder engines.
Briggs has an excellent parts distribution network. They do not sell a complete overhaul kit. They offer a gasket set, carb rebuild kit and offer pistons and connecting rods in different sizes if the cylinder or crankshaft require machining.
I have not seen any videos recently. Briggs manuals are decent but they expect you to have a basic understanding of hand tools and how to use them. Honestly, very few shops rebuild engines anymore. High labor costs and low replacement engine costs have made is more cost effective just to repower equipment with a new engine rather than overhauling. Briggs still teaches major engine analysis but the primary focus is identifying the root cause of the failure for warranty determination...not for engine overhaul.
Let me know if the rod is broke.
Eric
