Briggs And Stratton Engine Troubleshooting Diagram

Briggs & Stratton engines are one of the most popular and effective engines for lawn mowers and other small machineries like snow blowers, racing carts, and utility machines. These engines are very efficient and can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance.

If your Briggs & Stratton engine is acting up, there are several troubleshooting tips you can apply to make things work out. In this post, we will take a look at the Briggs & Stratton engine troubleshooting diagram to give you an idea of how it works and what you should be looking out for. We will also share some tips on how to troubleshoot your engine.

You can check your Briggs & Stratton machine manual for the specific steps to follow as the rules below are general steps for all machines using Briggs & Stratton engines

Briggs And Stratton Engine Troubleshooting Diagram

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Briggs And Stratton Engine Troubleshooting Guide

Engine Won’t Start

Check the Fuel

  • Pull the fuel line leading into the engine’s carburetor which should be a rubber hose. You will find a small spring clamp that can be loosened using pliers and crimping the two exterior spring ends together. Then move the hose clamp away from the carburetor connection
  • Inspect and confirm that fuel flows freely from the hose. If it does not, then check the hose for blockage. You might also have to replace the inline fuel filter if your engine has one.
  • Stale, untreated fuel (gas) begins to break down after about a month. You should check the odor of the gasoline. If it smells like old varnish, then it should be flushed from the fuel tank and replaced.

Check the Spark Plug

The most common reason for the engine not starting is due to a dirty spark plug. This is also the easiest part of the engine to fix as you would have to do is to change it with a new spark plug. In some cases, the spark plug might not be dirty or fouled but simply disconnected.

This could happen during installation which means you didn’t connect it properly so the spark is not delivering enough charge to start the engine. This can be fixed by reinstalling the spark plug. Also, check if the spark plug is dirty and clean it if so. It is best to replace a dirty spark plug with a fresh one.

Aside from the spark plug itself, a faulty spark plug lead, shorted kill switch, or flywheel key damage can prevent the ignition system from creating a spark. If the new spark plug doesn’t work, then you should take the mower to your mechanic.

Clean the Carburetor

If the mower engine does not start, it could be due to a carburetor problem. If there is enough fuel in the engine and the spark plug checks out, then you should check the carburetor. The engine’s carburetor regulates how air and fuel move through the engine to power your equipment.

If the carburetor is dirty, it could cause poor engine performance which could lead to starting problems. You could be able to clean your carburetor on your own but getting a professional to handle it is the safest way to clean the carburetor.

Check the Valves and Compression System

Air-fuel compression is necessary for every engine including engines powering lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment. The compression system in the Briggs and Stratton engine is made up of valves, cylinders, piston, and rings that control how the air and fuel vapors move through the engine. The valves let air in via the intake valve and out via the exhaust valve. The pistons move back and forth pushing the air-fuel mixture to the ignition system while the piston rings keep it all sealed up-tight.

If there is a leak or no proper valve clearance, this could lead to compression problems that will stop the engine from starting. Using a leak-down tester, you can check the compression system for leaks or visit your dealer to check for leaks and ensure the engine components are in good working condition.

Engine Overheating

If you notice that the engine is overheating, this could be a sign that the engine is just close to total damage. To prevent costly repairs, you should locate the problems and get them fixed. Check if the engine is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Removing debris from small engines is something that should be left to your mechanic.

Also, check if the oil level is low. Avoid adding oil to the gasoline if your mower uses a four-stroke engine as this could lead to more problems. Check if the oil level is low and add oil to the engine through the oil tank.

Another thing to check is the fuel mixture. You can determine the air-fuel mixture by checking the state of your carburetor. The problem could be due to a lean fuel mixture which will have to be corrected by adjusting the carburetor.