5 HP Briggs Flathead Starting Problems

[spudkilla224]

Hello, I have a 5 H.P. Briggs&Stratton Flathead on my minibike. And the issue i have with it that when i pull the starter cord it backfires and it smells like gas. I checked and it does have a spark. I tried adjusting the carb needles with no sucess.

I have been told it could be the timing. Would a sheared flywheel key throw off timing? And it it's only part sheared would the clutch be able to rotate when i pull on the starter cord?

And the last problem I can't figure out with is that when i'm riding the minibike the starter cord becomes undone.

BTW the engine still has it's governor still On it.

 

[modelengineer]

When you pull the starter the clutch shouldn't turn, but it may move a little bit if there is no chain, just because of the friction in the bushes.

It sounds like the flywheel key has sheared, and yes this would throw out the timing since the magnets on the flywheel control the timing.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Sheared key, you need special tools to torque the flywheel back on, remember that.