9 replies to this topic

[KennyP]

I fired this up and mowed some with it. Had a flat so I drove it to the garage. Shut it down, fixed the flat. Went to restart and the engine turns over so far then locks. Steve pulled the engine, dropped the bottom to look at the rod bolts as that is what we thought had happened. Found nothing wrong in there. Must be something in the cylinder! Dang it!

This has the B&S 14.5 HP OHV engine!

Edited by KennyP, August 11, 2013 - 03:26 PM.

[boyscout862]

I have a twin cylinder Kohler that seems the same. Could it be the balance weights? Please let us know what you find. Good Luck, Rick

[KennyP]

I have a twin cylinder Kohler that seems the same. Could it be the balance weights? Please let us know what you find. Good Luck, Rick

There are no balance weights in this engine. I'm thinking either something went down the intake or a bad valve!

[CRFarnsworth]

Can you turn it over by hand?  Or is it locked solid?  

[KennyP]

Can you turn it over by hand?  Or is it locked solid?  

You can move it so far each direction, then it hits something solid. I thought a rod bolt had backed off!

[CRFarnsworth]

Well that doesn't sound good.  I was hoping it was just the compression stopping it.  My OHV Briggs was about to  get tossed when I found out the valve clearance needed to be adjusted.  Now it turns over easy and starts right up.    Hope you get your problem figured out without too much trouble or expense.     Rick

[KennyP]

Me too!

[EricFromPa]

Someone else had a similar problem with an OHV briggs.Valve seat cam out and stuck the valve open.

If it turns out to be a dropped valve seat I would just pick up another head.

 

There's alot of good used heads on Ebay for around $50.Personally I would but a 15.5hp head on it.It is a higher compression head than the 14,14.5,15hp head.They bolt up the same.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item27d64ecfbd

 

 

And the 15.5 is the Only one that never blows head gaskets because the head is ground differently.

 

15.5 head

 

14.5hp head

 

See the difference?There's ALOT more material between the Cylinder and the Push rod galley.

 

 

[KennyP]

I'm beginning to think that may be the issue! We'll look into it this weekend!

[KennyP]

Found a 15 HP Sears Hydro for $50. Engine ran good, so we swapped that into the Mtd. I now have a mower again! Some decent goodies on the Sears to gleem. All four tires hold air well, Few other things that we can use, seat, etc!