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Valve Adjustment on Briggs and Stratton 18hp

Asked Apr 14, 2009, 01:19 PM — 3 Answers
When trying to start the mower, it acts as though there is too much compression. Once I click the started 4 to 5 times and it makes about a half rotation it will then take off. A friend mentioned to me that the valves may need adjusted. Is this something that I can do or should it be taken in to a small engine shop?

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bones252100's Avatar
bones252100 Posts: 250, Reputation: 172
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#2

Apr 14, 2009, 08:04 PM
Compression does not increase over the life of an engine. It sounds more like the starting system is having problems overcoming the existing compression. The good news is that the ignition is great since it starts on half a rotation. Forget the valves. Suspect a weak battery or possibly a dragging starter. The likely suspect is the battery.
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ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
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#3

Apr 14, 2009, 08:14 PM


I am not sure for your engine but many have a valve that lowers compression during starting. If your engine has this it may be malfinctioning. Just a place to start looking. Here is an old thread discussing the topic http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/tools-p...lve-89671.html
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redmancge's Avatar
redmancge Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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#4

May 9, 2009, 09:46 AM
Don't know if you got this problem fixed but I have an old Murray had the same problem seemed like the starter was bad it would only crank a second or two. Got a set of feeler guages and opened front cover on engine and adjusted the valve lash. Started up like majic! Can't remember where I found (Googled it?) the valve lash setttings. Hope this might help
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