Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Follow up on 16 hp Briggs and Stratton motot problem, briggs and stratton, hp briggs

Question
Good afternoon John,

I'm sorry I've taken so long to follow up on your last advice (about the Vanguard 16hp B&Stratton motor with the blocked oir breather, backfiring etc etc).

This message is just to let you know what has transpired and to thank you again for your wonderful help. Also, you might be interested in the feedback of what we have now found. I hope it might be helpful to you in time also.

I think I mentioned to you that when I took the carby housing off to check the oil breather, I found the carby housing 'full' of oil and the carby itself full of fuel mixed with oil. No wonder it was burning out the plugs after a few hours.

I think I mentioned I cleaned the oil breather and (temporarily) disconnected the tube from the breather to the carby air intake housing (blocking off the hole, of course) to make sure that no oil could still get into the carby.  After that, the motor went ok for an hour or so and I thought the problem was solved. But, without warning, again it started backfiring and blowing smoke and it seemed worse than ever. It did this later for the meachanic, fortunately, as it had not done it for him before that.

I finally told him I had had enough and that it might be time to take his offer to refund cost of the motor.

Against his heavy schedule he decided to take the mower and work on it himself in his 'own' time.

He tried many things all to no avail until he said he remembered a time when with a similar type of problem it was fixed simply by replacing the air intake housing. He did this and apparantly there must have been some kind of a fine 'leak' between the seal on the air intake housing that bolts onto the carby. He thought that, despite being bolted on tightly, air must have been causing a problem so that the throttle mechanism failed to funciton properly particularly under pressure. He replaced the housing with a second hand one and a new air cleaner. I've now used it for several hours without a problem and at last the throttle works properly through the full range and there is no problem when the blades are turned on. This is an absolute first. It seems the problem is fixed. Amazing.  I thought you might be interested. Thanks again for your excellent and most appreciated help all along the way - without that I could not have coped with this as I have been really very unwell and your help has given me the courage to keep trying. Thanks again, John, Kindest Regards, Alan

Answer
Hi Alan:

>>Great!!!
>>Thanks for the Feedback Information. I am Always Interested in the Outcome of the Problems I Try to Help Solve.
>>I (and most people) are Always Learnign Something New.
>>I am Sure it will Assist me and Others that Visit.
>>I will be Sure to Add this as a Possible Cause in the File.
>>Thanks for Using All Experts. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy.

Best Wishes and Good Luck

Respectfully

John