Do these engine have a valve to release compression to make it start easier? I think mine is stuck shut cause its real hard to turn over

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Originally Posted by skyman2112

do these engine have a valve to release compression to make it start easier? i think mine is stuck shut cause its real hard to turn over

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I think I'm having the same problem. I was able to use a jumper box to get it started the other day, but it was still very reluctant. I called a service center and the guy I spoke to said that they do have compression release valves and that he remembered a lot of them coming through the shop with problems a couple of years ago.. . Mine is about 2 years old, but this problem actually started last season.

If anyone else has info on these release valves, I'd love to hear it. I'm not completely incompetent when it comes to repairs, but the service shop made it sound like a large job because of where the valve was located.

A simple valve adjust will do the trick. The compression release is just a bump and too much clearance causes you to miss it. There are plenty of instructions on how to adjust on this forum.
Don

Thanks for the info Don. I've heard valve adjustment from one place (actually 2 now with your input) and compression release from 2 others. The valve adjust sounds much more appealing to me, but how do I determine which is the right thing to do? Is it just a trial and error kind of thing?

I don't own one, but I have a friend coming over this weekend with a compression tester. Shouldn't I get a better idea from that?

Oh yeah. The compression release and valve adjust are the same. The compression release works to nudge the exhaust valve open a bit on the compression stroke. Bring the piston to the top (TDC) and remove valve cover, should say ohv (over head valve) set the intake valve the top one at 2-3 thousands and the exhaust at 4-5.

This should do it and if still makes no sense don't attempt.


Don

It makes sense, and I acutally just ordered myself a shop manual.

Should I be ordering new gaskets too?

Is this common on these Briggs? Mine is only 2 years old, and I wouldn't normally expect to have to do this kind of work for quite some time.

I have a flathead engine so its doubtfully the valves. Where is this compression release valve and how do I adjust it?

Skyman, If it comes to a compression lock then it may be a compression release (very rare) If it just turns hard time to pull out the voltage meter, it may be a bad starter

Don

Not sure if this helps, but I had already replaced my battery this season because my I let the winter kill my old one. I didn't charge it because it was showing 12.2 Volts on 2 different meters. On the advice of a friend, I put it on a 2 Amp trickle charge overnight, and it read 12.7 the next day. Since then, I've started up 4 times with a little hesitation that actually seems to get better every time I start again. I think I'll still adjust my valves, but the extra juice did the trick for me at least as an interim fix.