[Steve Holland Posts: 1621 Status: Offline]

Also check the main isolator if you had one, these can corroded internally, they're easily checked. Another possibility is poor earthing from the engine etc.

[Ian Brooks Posts: 3581 Status: Offline]

One problem with the Briggs starter is the benefit solenoid. It has to throw the gear in and then a big copper bar has to make the contact to turn on the main motor. Any stickiness in the bendix or corrosion on the copper bar and contacts will prevent the main motor turning on. Often happens after a period left unused.

[Al Posts: 931 Status: Offline WWW]

A new starter was fitted a few months ago and I fitted larger diameter battery cables to reduce the risk of losses through the system.  I will check the starter motor with a volt meter to see if that is the issue

[John Robertson Posts: 5240 Status: Online WWW]

I doubt there is any fuel in the cylinder - it will have long evaporated.  Unless, of course, you are pumping it in using the primer (its fairly easy to overcome the float valve in most carbs)?  My money would be on the starting system - easy to check if you put a volt meter on the motor main connector with the starter engaged.  Could be undersized cables or a contaminated starter commutator/contacter.   Turning over a cold engine when its been sitting for a while is particularly difficult for the starting system.  The Briggs engines are low compression, long stroke so should be easy to turn over, even for a puny starter,

[Al Posts: 931 Status: Offline WWW]

My Marlin and also previous hovercraft I've owned fitted with Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engines, have from time to time been difficult to get the engine to turn over by turning the ignition.  Flick the ignition key a few times or turn the fan / prop back and forth by hand and the engine will spin over and fire.


I used to think this could either be due to losses in the battery cables or an inadequate sized battery.  What I'm actually thinking it could be after having a similar issue on one of my motorbikes, is that the pistons are getting locked by excess fuel in the bore.


By flicking the ignition it manages to push out a little of the fuel from the cylinders which obviously releases some of the pressure within the bore allowing the piston to eventually do a full cycle.  Once engine starts turning over engine starts within a few turns.


So what I am thinking is causing this " but is pure conjecture" is that after engine has been stopped, either pressure within the fuel system or a vacuum is created in the cylinders, as the engine cools, pushes/pulls fuel into the bores creating the fuel lock within the bores.


Has anyone else with Briggs engines experienced this and if so did you find the cause and remedy?


I have two fuel filters and a priming bulb fitted on my fuel system.  One of the filters is a basic inline filter and the other is a diesel fuel/water separator type filter.  Fuel tank is metal built in under the seat.  It is a carburettor not fuel injected engine.  The fuel pump is a standard Briggs & Stratton vacuum pump