QuestionQUESTION: I have a mower with a briggs 8 hp mower that when tried to start would not fire and popped through the muffler. There was no compression so I took the head off and saw the exhaust valve stuck open, which could be pulled out by hand. The cover for the valve springs is off and I am not sure how to reinstall the valve. Upon inspection nothing seems broke or bent. The valve slides in nice and smooth.
ANSWER: WHat is the model, type and code number for this engine?
If it's an L-Head, valve in block engine, then the valve retainer is a piece of steel that goes on the bottom of the spring and just pops on. The spring has to be compressed with a valve spring compressor to install.
Valves shouldn't just come loose so it's important to determine just what happened. Thanks, PK.
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QUESTION: model# 195702-type 0457-e1 code 0102071a
the mower has not been used in a few years and the first pull I could feel no compression. When I took the cover off to look at the springs I noticed half of the keeper just laying there. Is the keeper one piece that slides behind the retainer? What could have caused this? Thanks for any help.
AnswerI believe yours has a two piece keeper with a steel retainer ring under it. I couldn't tell you just what caused this to happen, my guess would be the valve was stuck from dried up oil or something and when the cam went to lift it, the retainer and keeper came off. I think I would replace the keepers and retainers for sure. I would replace the valve as well, but I also have the tools for cutting a new valve seat and lapping the valve. You could probably just lap the valve if you replaced it, but I can't say for sure on your particular engine. Thanks, PK.
