Briggs Vanguard, 15 hp OHV Model 280777 Type 0112.01 Code 94121154A
Simplicity Brood Moor...

The oil was checked and gas was checked prior to starting, the mower had been sitting for 4 to 6 weeks due to cold weather. I decided to started it and ran it at normal start speed until It warmed up. I maintain my mowers very well as they are my lively hood!

Ok, it will not start! I was blowing leafs, just with the deck no blowers attached, the mower ran fine for well over and hour, I rode the mower to my mothers home and while I was riding I noticed a pinging that seemed to be coming from the deck, I checked it and discovered it was coming from the motor, I being DUMB ignored that, and kept riding thinking a bolt or part of the covers was loose because that's what it sounded like!

The pinging sound wasn't very noticeable, but after reaching my mothers I used the throttle to speed the engine to engage the PTO, the motor seemed to ping louder so I very quickly lowered the RPMS and listened, the pinging became soft again. So I engaged the PTO at a lower RPM and proceeded to blow the leafs, only going a short distance the mower seemed to be ok, so I again attempted to speed the rpms up slightly and again the pinging became loud, so I lowered it, and it seemed to FLOOD OUT and the pinging got pretty bad and it went dead. Will not start and seems to be hard to turn over..

I did notice the pinging sound before I parked it for winter but forgot about it until this happened.


Any suggestions, or information would be of great help, I am currently not able to work due to illness and money is very tight in our home.
I do have some mechanical experience and feel very comfortable working with engines, but like information as I am not a professional mechanic!

thebriggsdude

Steel to hold up against exhaust temps.... (sometimes they are hollow) and yes, made to not cause much damage when they are broken....
Btw, some vanguard vtwins can have both of them aluminum.... depends on model.
Same way with the cams on these newer engines..... they are a composite material..... so inherently less drag... less weight, less wear..... but also if it pops, not gonna cause much damage. You could just have a DUD of a engine..... briggs does make the most engines of all manufacturers.....

newaukumdon

Another user had a similar problem with a 14.5 HP and contacted a good briggs dealer with the model and type. He found out there was a problem with the cams (exhaust lobe) and there was a warranty fix for it. . . yours may be to old for warranty but worth the effort. I do not see in your postings where you have confirmed valve travel?

You need to perform the diagnostic on valve travle to determine if cam is worn.

Maxedout

Thanks guys, you've certainly helped me out with this information. I have not confirmed valve travel yet due to the fact I've not gotten the replacement parts needed. I also need a manual to do that. I have not been able to locate the manual on Briggs Website and I'm unsure what to do.

I've listed all the information located on the motor on the 1st thread, if either of you see this an locate a manual please let me know!
One thing, I was told this morning that a Briggs needed a certain amount of back pressure from the exhaust to run correctly? If the muffler was damaged then this could explain why the push rod bent. IS this true? I've seen Briggs motors run with no muffler or straight pipes. I kind of thought that was out there. But then I asked someone else and they said it was possible due to the fact that it had over head valves. I was told that some new engines needed that back pressure to help with pollution control and was designed to run with this pressure. Even cars and trucks faced the same troubles if the exhaust became damaged.

Thanks also for clearing up why they used different metals for the push rods. In my case I guess it would help to also know the intake and exhaust. Differences in metals makes it easy to see the differences and would make things much easier to figure out when making adjustments....

Maxedout

UPDATE!

Don, I wanted to thank you for the phone call and the tips you gave me! I Really appreciate your helping me. Briggs guy thank you for your information and your time it also really helped me and I very much appreciated the help

Don, the phone call put my thinking cap on and the Vanguard LIVES! I installed the new push rods and I discovered the Valve Cap was very worn and damaged. I haven't had a chance to replace it but I used a polishing stone and smoothed up some ruff edges. I adjusted the valves on the compression stroke. I also found the entire end of the exhaust muffler had been exploded and damaged.

The engine purrs like a kitten! I am replacing both Valve caps and the muffler as soon as possible and will not be running it anymore. I also found one of the valve cover screws had striped out. I was able to repair this using an insert, drilled and and tapped new threads.

At any rate, I have a few simple repairs to make and I should be back in business!

Thanks again and As I complete repairs I will up date the thread!

Thanks Much!
Best Regards
Max

thebriggsdude

Great the hear!