Briggs Stratton Head Pressure

I have a MTD yard machine Briggs & Stratton 14.5 HP/42" Cut. When trying to start the engine, it cranks over in slow spurts as though the battery is dying. It can't get enough starter speed to start. When I take out the spark plug and crank the engine it cranks fine at full speed. I have been told that the engine has a valve in it that releases head pressure during start up, and that the valve is stuck. The mechanic wants $400-500 to repair it. He said he has to open the crank case.

 

Compression release uses the exhaust valve to relieve compression during start-up. The mechanism is in the crankcase however I think it failing is rare.
I would start with a good strong battery. Post the model #'s of your engine and or mower and specs can be provided to check your valve clearances.
I think for Briggs .004 Intake, .007 Exhaust should get it.

 

Just a comment - If an owner happens to put a tablespoon of oil in the cylinder to prepare for post season storage, as often suggested in the manuals, the first startup can be very difficult due to the increased compression provided by the oil.

Usually, a couple teaspoons of gas into the cylinder in enough to thin out the oil and allow compression to drop to normal.

 

Need to know: Overhead or L head engine?
OHV Compression relief, can not raise the intake valve enough to bleed off some compression on start up if valve clearance is excessive and valves must be properly adjusted.
L head: the little device on the cam that raises the valve breaks or the spring does and you don't get the benefit of hissing of a little air on start up, Which after successive start attempts could overheat the starter motor.
To sum it up, the OHVs are notorious for this and need periodic valve lash adjusting.
In either case, if the little flipper on the cam is damaged, I don't remember it being serviceable and in that case you would need a new cam. That is why the mechanics quote seemed high.
I believe in nine out of ten cases, valve adjust will fix you right up.
Customer two weeks ago same problem, wanted a new starter. Adjusted his lash and he was tickled pink to get off will one hour labor. Want to hear what you find

 

This would be an ohv engine, and I agree...you just need to adjust your valves. There are some Briggs engines known to have bad compression release mechanisms on the cam, but most of the time this is not the case. A simple valve adjustment is probably all that's needed. $400-500 is pretty darn expensive even if it does need a new camshaft.

 

Hi,
New to the site, but I have a problem similar to this. I have the L engine and noticed that I can't adjust the valves. exactlly how do you remove the compression for the engine to start? would replacing the cam be difficult?

 

hey cheese, can you please explain how to adjust the L head valves so that i get the compression release on my tecumseh engine. i have the same problem as many do of engine is hard to spin due to compression lock up. engine model # VLV55 501029A. appreciate very much.

 

Not to speak for cheese but, on Lhead engines, there is no "adjustment" for lash, valve clearance is changed by grinding the valve stems.