5HP briggs problems...

[kartaddict91]

the predator sounds cool, but it really didnt cost me much to get it going...really the only things I bought were a diaphram, a throttle screw and a new magneto. I probably paid between 20-30 for it all. even though its a pain sometimes, i love tearing stuff apart and putting it back together

 

[OzFab]

I hate this, I really do. Nothing personal, but this is all too indicative of society today. Doesn't work? Throw it out and get a new one. I find this attitude lazy, wasteful, counterproductive, and not at all conducive to learning anything. Let's also not forget the true meaning of this site, either. WTF happened?

Okay- micro-rant over. Have a nice day!

See my new sig.

 

[dmaznic]

Nothing personal, but for a Briggs engine, yes throw it out. Or donate to a lawnmower charity.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Nothing personal, but for a Briggs engine, yes throw it out. Or donate to a lawnmower charity.

'Cuz it's a Briggs??? I fail to see the logic...

 

[klicky96]

Nothing personal, but for a Briggs engine, yes throw it out. Or donate to a lawnmower charity.

...wow. Okay lets not get too carried away here. Its a Briggs, one of the most well known engines out there. There's no reason to talk bad about them when it was an easy mess up. It wasn't the engine's fault. No matter what anybody does, says, or tries to prevent, every single engine will have problems during it's lifetime. There's absolutely no way of stopping that, no matter if its a Briggs, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Greyhound, Tecumseh, etc. So why would we just throw it out? Yes, it has a minor issue, but it can be fixed. If it can be fixed, then fix it. Fixing this engine will cost plenty less than buying a new one, and i'm sure he doesn't want to buy a new one. They aren't cheap anymore and with the economy being the way it is, some people can't afford new engines.

 

[OzFab]

Over here there is a fierce rivalry between Ford fans & Holden (GM) fans. It all comes down to preference. Perhaps that's what's happening here: dmaznic is just not a briggs fan.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yeah, maybe. Personally, I've been around long enough to know that all the major manufacturers have their ups and downs, and I'm not prepared to condemn an entire brand like that. Briggs hasn't been in business for this many years because they build crap consistantly.

 

[kartaddict91]

Yeah this could easily turn into the ford gm debate...but personally I don't have a preference of engines and karts and what not, when it comes to mowers, that's a different story. If this engine blows, then I will tear it apart and rebuild it, not because its cheaper or anything like that, but for the experience and learning how to do so. I know a lot more about car engines then I do small engine stuff so it would be nice to learn if it ever happens.

 

[OzFab]

I know a lot more about car engines then I do small engine stuff so it would be nice to learn if it ever happens.

There's not much difference really, just smaller & fewer cylinders

 

[dmaznic]

Sorry everybody, yes I'm not much of a Briggs (or Briggs&Stratton or else BS engines, sorry about that again). They have an Animal engine right? That's the only race purpose engine I know they build but I have no experience with them so please enlighten me. I'm open to suggestions, but take a look at the picture.

Firstly, the torque values for Briggs engines over a single cc range vary ridiculously, so don't mind the exact values. However the point is clear and consistent, Briggs torque plummets at higher rpm, never mind removing the governor. But Yes these engines are good INDUSTRIAL engines as they were all originally intended to be.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Point taken. I am a Honda GX freak, myself- but I'm still not prepared to dismiss the whole brand. Out of curiosity, which series of Briggs does that curve represent? If it's from a flatty, it's nowhere near fair.

 

[klicky96]

Sorry everybody, yes I'm not much of a Briggs (or Briggs&Stratton or else BS engines, sorry about that again). They have an Animal engine right? That's the only race purpose engine I know they build but I have no experience with them so please enlighten me. I'm open to suggestions, but take a look at the picture.

Firstly, the torque values for Briggs engines over a single cc range vary ridiculously, so don't mind the exact values. However the point is clear and consistent, Briggs torque plummets at higher rpm, never mind removing the governor. But Yes these engines are good INDUSTRIAL engines as they were all originally intended to be.

Okay, these engines were first intended for this, wheres the problem? Yes- Torque ratings decrease as RPM increases, but they do with every engine. A little more with the Briggs, but does it really matter. If you did a little research, you would understand that these engines were intended for working, not really racing. Do you see a lot of GX390's on tillers? Do you see a lot of ethanol engines in lawnmowers? The big answer here is no. You are basically looking at individual species of engines. There are engines for work, and engines for play. Briggs are more for work, so what? What does it matter? Why does it matter? That's right, it doesn't. This is his engine, let him do what he wants. Don't just tell him to pitch it because it's a Briggs, that's just misinforming a person who is looking for help. And pardon my use of vocabulary, but that is the most stupid you could do to a person who is just trying to get there engine to run right.


Oh, and another big issue I have. If Briggs engines suck, then why the hell do you think they are still in business. Why do you think they are one of the most respected? Please answer them questions before you downgrade anything.

 

[dmaznic]

Point taken. I once sold three Briggs engines for like $30, it was the man's happiest day.

EDIT: this was the site for Briggs torque curves, they all have the same characteristic. Honda curves are easy to google.
http://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/html/engine-specs/briggs-engine-specs.html