Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): briggs motor, correct shaft, boche

Question
Eric,

No spark whatsoever, not even a weak one.  I used a test clamp to ground the spark plug base and got nothing at all.  I did replace the oil seal, pvc worked fine to seat the seal, a bit tough but fine.  Not sure of the year of the engine, I have kind of taken this on as a learning experience, and the fact that I don't have the money for a new tractor or new engine. So unless fixing this ends up being hopeless, or just to expensive, I guess I would like to try repairing.

Thanks,
Brian



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Followup To
Question -
Thanks Eric,

Yes I have quite a few meters laying around and my key switch configuration is as follows



         S_ L_

       M_

         B_ G_


hope this is what you needed.  I did end up seeing one other problem, when I pushed the mower out into the light to look at the switch, I noticed that all the oil leaked out of the engine!  it seems to be coming out of the oil seal around the shaft at the bottom of the engine, the seal itself just pops out without any effort.  I read on the B&s site, in the parts list for my engine, that special tools are required to replace this, is this true? My friend said that it did leak a bit, but it always ran great, (it leaks more than a bit judging by the 3/4 qt of oil on my garage floor)it seems to have good compression though, and it is for an old craftsman, rear engine mower. I have had a very tough time finding a good used engine with the correct shaft I need for this deck, so this is why I hope to just fix this one up.  Sorry for being long winded, your a hard guy to get in touch with, you are always maxed out, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out, and I know everyone else does too.  

Thanks for taking the time, for everyone you've helped

Brian Boche



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Followup To
Question -
A friend of mine helped me replace a blown motor on my riding mower.  the new motor is a Briggs 11hp mod. 252707 type 0632 01  code 84030511.  When he hooked it up, he obviously connected some wire wrong because smoke started pouring out of the top of the motor without even trying to start it yet.  There is a single black wire coming out from behind the starter with a white plastic connector on the end of it, He hooked this into a red one from my mower (I assume that he hooked a hot wire to this) it started to smell like some electric motor windings melting.  we disconnected that, tried starting it, the starter cranked the motor just fine but never pops.  I am not getting any spark from the plug either.  Any suggestions?  was that wire from some sort of alternator coil? I don't have lights on the mower so do I need that wire? could it be my ignition coil at the flywheel?

Thanks for any help you can give

Brian
Answer -
Most likely you smoked the diode.  Not a biggie, it can be replaced.

You should have a key switch on the mower.  Carefully look at the back of the switch and send me the switch configuration and letters.

 Example, 5 pin switch

       S____

    M___    B____

    G___    L____

Let me know what you have for the switch and also if you have a voltmeter.
Eric
Answer -
How old is this engine?  The smoking you smelled was probably a diode.

How much is this engine/mower worth to you?

You don't have to have special tools to replace the seal but it makes the job eaiser.

A piece of PVC pipe makes a great seal driver.
I would check the spark first to make sure the coil is good.  Disconnect all the wiring except for the starter.  Remove the spark plug, crank the engine and check for spark.

Let me know the answers to the questions.
Eric  

Answer
The first 2 digets of the engine code number indicate the year.  If the first 2 digets are 81 or greater then you have electronic ignition.

To test the coil you need to remove the top metal engine cover, the fan schroud.  You should now see the coil.  There should be one small wire connected to the coil; un-plug the wire.

Test for spark.  If you have spark then the coil is good.  If you have no spark then the coil is most likely bad.

This test method isolates the coil from all other mower circuits and is recommended by the factory.  This test has only failed a couple of times where I had weak spark.  Other than that the test is fool proof.

Let me know if you have spark.
Eric