18 hp briggs & stratton yard machine starter drag down

Well, I'm no expert here, but it sounds like it's ready to cease up. The pistons and piston walls may be scored. Hard to pull, hard to turn over, but if it does start it will run pretty good because the oil finally gets up there. But before the oil gets up, it's scored metel against scored metal, doing more damage each time. Sounds like you got your money's worth out of it though. You could have the motor rebuilt, but it's a cheap unit anyway, so probably better, and cheaper, to replace the whole thing. Other stuffs going to start going anyway. Why don't you go buy that big John Deere you've always wanted. You deserve it. Think how happy you'll be riding around on that big green machine. Don't buy the JD at Lowes, there not as good as the ones you get at a real JD dealer.

when my ship comes in..i hope. those green machines do look awfully inviting. i think your right about the lowes thing..i believe they sell the ones that don't quite meet the standards..and have steve wrote all over them..before it's all over..thes best mower i ever had (when i had the bucks)was i rebuilt an old massy..painted it and was the talk of the neighbor hood with the big brand new woods mower behind it..this was a rig..but back to real life thanks steve

The resistance you feel as you turn the engine could be the compression stroke. In the replacement of the battery and starter. How did it start then. If it started okay with new battery and starter. Check the charging system.

These small engines do not have journal bearings as a car does. The cap is the bearing usually aluminum. Low oil or clogged port and they get wiped easily. Which can cause it to bind.

thanks for the feed back..the engine with new battery and starter no change..you are right the compression stroke i can feel,oil is and has been in good shape,but clogged journal? i need to dig a little deeper ..thanks steve

Adjust the valves per B&S specs. This is a very typical problem, and most people replace the battery a couple of times, and then the starter, only to find that the problem remains. Valve adustment is part of the recomended maintenance.

Almost replaced starter.

this i did not know either,next question is valve adjustment and specs. what are the clearance and how do you adjust..thanks steve

the fella who suggested adjusting the valves is correct. I had the same problem last year and got it fixed for 45 bucks. The old fella at the lawnmower shop said it is a common problem

It's not the starter or the battery, it's the valve adjustment.

Mine just went out again and I was looking for a how to DIY fix on line and came accross this thread.

For Valve adjustment check out this youtube video

it seems i might have a ground problem. to day after i come home from town i will check all as mention..one other note..i disconnected the switch athe seat so mower would run when i got off..also the switch at the brake reverse so it would run when i got off and was in reverse,but the switch at the lower raise deck in upper off i left it connected..for the most part the safety switches were disconnected..how ever this was done some time back..but i will try your suggestion..thanks steve

I had have this same problem on a 18 hp B and S engine and I too went through re-placing all the components and didn't help it much. The only thing different is that my engine tends to drag when it is hot and if I let it sit awhile and cool off it usually cranks up. I think our problem is that the engine is just worn out. Well anyways I spent 8k on one of those souped up zero turn mowers and grass cutting actually became fun again. What took me several hours to mow with the old mower I can now do in 42 minutes. I still have 2 of the old 18 hp B and S engines and they both have the drag when hot starter problem. If anyone figures this out I would like to hear the remedy.

pipewelder

boy i wished i could,my days of making good money are over, this thing does it when it's cold or hot ..thanks any way..steve

I am not sure where you are but if you happen to be near North Ga. I might can give you some parts off of my 2 mowers if it would help. I was planning on using one engine to run a log splitter I am building but I have essentially two mowers that are in fair shape that I'm not going to use. One is a Craftsman and one is a Poulan. I think the Poulan is very close to the same as the Yard Machine. I am not sure if the starter is any good though. I will keep the mowers for parts for some of my other many projects but wouldn't mind helping you out if you can use something specific.

pipewelder

thanks, if i don't get sucessful today looks like i will also have a part machine thanks..steve

hey if you still have parts i need a starter and a few other peaces give me a call (614)352-9485

I guess everyone is Steve to you well my name is Michael lol

good advise,something i did not know...i'm still young enough to learn..thats why i came to the forum...all help appreciated..i' m on a fixed income and every dollar helps. i'll check into thanks steve

I would agree, check the power cabling to the starter motor. A bad cable or connection will drop the voltage which increases the amps which heats the motor, cabling and causes the starter to run slow. Depending on age of cable, there can be internal strand failures that are causing problems.

looks like you guys are using my idea for what i intended but you need more 411

i have tha same thang n the same EXACT problem. My motor is gettin so hot that it keeps cracking the magnet inside the starter housing ! i've replaced the starter about 10 times. i'm about to just go ahead n switch out motors !!!

got a briggs in my lawnmower, had to adjust the valves to .004 when open. The whole job took 15 minutes. Started like a dream for the next 50 hours then had to adjust the valves again.