QuestionQUESTION: I have a snow blower with B&S engine. Sorry, but it's an older engine and the tag with the model, etc. is well worn. The only part that's readable is the name, Briggs & Stratton, Milwaukee.
It hasn't been used in a 1 1/2 years. It has been covered with a tarp. When I tried to pull the starter cord today, it wouldn't budge. I made sure it was in neutral, etc., but the starter wouldn't move a bit. Should I open it and check for rust, or do you have another idea what may make it stick?
Thanks.
ANSWER: The first thing to do is remove the spark plug and see if you can turn the engine over. If the engine will not budge then it is either a starter problem or a problem with the engine itself. To determine this remove the starter and make sure it operates properly then turn the flywheel slowly by hand to be sure the engine turns over. If the engine will not turn over at that point there is something internally wrong in the engine. I would suggest removing it drain the oil and disassembling the engine to see what the problem is. Hope this help
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QUESTION: I got a partial engine model number that is stamped into the metal below the label. It is 17010 1151-01 73112710. The first 5 numbers may not be complete. It's difficul to see.
I took the starter cover off and the rope then pulled out ok. Turned the flywheel by hand, then put the cover back on. The starter rope pulled fine. That was a few weeks ago.
Today I tried it and the starter rope wouldn't budge. Took the cover off and it worked ok. Again I turned the flywheel by hand and noticed it stuck each time the flywheel magnet was under the coil armature. When I pushed a bit harder, it would go by this spot and turn fine until the magnet got under the armature again, where it would stick. I turned it by this spot and put the cover back on and the cord pulled ok. I think it's when the flywheel magnet stops under the armature that sticks and makes the rope impossible to pull.
What should the gap be between the armature and the flywheel magnet? There seems to be very little space. When the flywheel itself is under the armature I can slip a folded piece of paper under the armature "legs". When the magnet is under the armature, it's difficult to get just a single layer of paper between the armature and magnet.
Another problem is leaking gasoline. At the front, under the gas tank, is a small glass bowl in which gasoline may be seen. There is a small screw at one side and at the bottom. Gasoling slowing drips from the bottom. Also, gasoline drips from somewhere on the back side (closest to handles). I can't tell if it's coming from the fuel line or somewhere else. Any suggestions.
Sorry for the long question.
AnswerThe gap between the flywheel and ignition coil should be the thickness of a business card. The little glass bowl that is leaking is your fuel filter and the screw by at is the fuel shut off. You could get replacement parts for the fuel filter but it would be much more economical to just put an in-line fuel filter in place of the glass bowl used a 75 micron fuel filter. That should take care of your leak watch the filter there is an arrow on it and it points the same direction that the fuel flows. You should pull the fuel line off the tank and back flush the fuel outlet. Also inspect this area for any cracks if the fuel line is old replace it.
