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Briggs and Stratton 3.5 hp lawnmower engine problem
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captainvi...@gmail.com
May 25, 2018, 11:08:10 AM5/25/18
to
I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
tabb...@gmail.com
May 25, 2018, 11:22:18 AM5/25/18
to
On Friday, 25 May 2018 16:08:10 UTC+1, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
shouldn't be hard to continuity test the coil LT & HT sides. You have a multimeter?
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
Beware, connecting & disconnecting the meter on the LT side can cause a spark on the HT side.
NT
N_Cook
May 25, 2018, 1:49:23 PM5/25/18
to
On 25/05/2018 16:08, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
>
That reminds me I must wind up my Hayterette mower with Griggs &
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
>
Stratton circa 1975 for the first time this year.
IIRC ignition checks on my repair page
www.diverse.4mg.com/repair4_2.htm
but original with points
peterw...@gmail.com
May 25, 2018, 1:58:10 PM5/25/18
to
On Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:08:10 AM UTC-4, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
I admire your avoidance of landfill! If all else fails, go electric, they have come a long way since the flip-over B&Ds back in the day. But! Look for corrosion around any connections, and look for a bad spark-plug wire, carbon tracks or similar. Otherwise, these coils have a limited life in that application.
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
et...@whidbey.com
May 25, 2018, 9:06:45 PM5/25/18
to
On Fri, 25 May 2018 08:08:06 -0700 (PDT), captainvi...@gmail.com
wrote:
>I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
There were a lot of Briggs and Stratton electronic type magnetos that
were prone to failure. I use a method to test suspect magnetos before
I spend much time trying to find out why there is no spark. Remove the
spark plug from the engine so that it turns over easily. Then stuff a
rod or something similar into the the spark plug boot so that it makes
good contact with the end of the spark plug wire. Now turn the engine
over slowly while holding the rod. You should get at least a tingle.
If no tingle then try turning the engine over a little faster. If
there is a little tingle then the problem is most likely a bad
connection. This could be a corroded ground wire. If, even turning
the engine over fairly fast, there isn't even a tingle the magneto is
bad or the kill wire is grounded. I have used this method for years
and it is a really fast way to find out if the mag is probably good or
not.
Eric
wrote:
>I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
were prone to failure. I use a method to test suspect magnetos before
I spend much time trying to find out why there is no spark. Remove the
spark plug from the engine so that it turns over easily. Then stuff a
rod or something similar into the the spark plug boot so that it makes
good contact with the end of the spark plug wire. Now turn the engine
over slowly while holding the rod. You should get at least a tingle.
If no tingle then try turning the engine over a little faster. If
there is a little tingle then the problem is most likely a bad
connection. This could be a corroded ground wire. If, even turning
the engine over fairly fast, there isn't even a tingle the magneto is
bad or the kill wire is grounded. I have used this method for years
and it is a really fast way to find out if the mag is probably good or
not.
Eric
tabb...@gmail.com
May 25, 2018, 9:28:57 PM5/25/18
to
On Saturday, 26 May 2018 02:06:45 UTC+1, et...@whidbey.com wrote:
> There were a lot of Briggs and Stratton electronic type magnetos that
> were prone to failure. I use a method to test suspect magnetos before
> I spend much time trying to find out why there is no spark. Remove the
> spark plug from the engine so that it turns over easily. Then stuff a
> rod or something similar into the the spark plug boot so that it makes
> good contact with the end of the spark plug wire. Now turn the engine
> over slowly while holding the rod. You should get at least a tingle.
> If no tingle then try turning the engine over a little faster. If
> there is a little tingle then the problem is most likely a bad
> connection. This could be a corroded ground wire. If, even turning
> the engine over fairly fast, there isn't even a tingle the magneto is
> bad or the kill wire is grounded. I have used this method for years
> and it is a really fast way to find out if the mag is probably good or
> not.
> Eric
say hi to Darwin for me.
> There were a lot of Briggs and Stratton electronic type magnetos that
> were prone to failure. I use a method to test suspect magnetos before
> I spend much time trying to find out why there is no spark. Remove the
> spark plug from the engine so that it turns over easily. Then stuff a
> rod or something similar into the the spark plug boot so that it makes
> good contact with the end of the spark plug wire. Now turn the engine
> over slowly while holding the rod. You should get at least a tingle.
> If no tingle then try turning the engine over a little faster. If
> there is a little tingle then the problem is most likely a bad
> connection. This could be a corroded ground wire. If, even turning
> the engine over fairly fast, there isn't even a tingle the magneto is
> bad or the kill wire is grounded. I have used this method for years
> and it is a really fast way to find out if the mag is probably good or
> not.
> Eric
Fox's Mercantile
May 25, 2018, 10:23:09 PM5/25/18
to
That's what these are for.
<http://www.barrettsmallengine.com/tecumseh/670366sparktester.html>
--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com
<http://www.barrettsmallengine.com/tecumseh/670366sparktester.html>
--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com
et...@whidbey.com
May 26, 2018, 12:51:13 PM5/26/18
to
turning over an old lawnmower engine equipped with a magneto. Sheeesh!
Eric
John-Del
May 26, 2018, 1:38:19 PM5/26/18
to
Many many years ago, a guy I knew was having some ignition work done on his stock Hemi Challenger at my buddy's garage, and brought along a magneto to try just in case. Just rotating it a half turn sent him flying! Those things have balls.
et...@whidbey.com
May 26, 2018, 1:52:31 PM5/26/18
to
On Sat, 26 May 2018 10:38:17 -0700 (PDT), John-Del <ohg...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Was the mag the type that winds up when being turned over slowly? I
have some old magnetos that work this way. One is on my 1945 Gibson
tractor. When turned slowly it winds up a spring inside that lets go
when it reaches a certain tension, thereby spinning the magnet fast
enough to get a good spark. Those mags will deliver a really good
shock. Years ago I had one of these that would only deliver a little
tingle. Talking to a guy who knew about mags said that the coil may
have absorbed moisture over time, especially since the mag was from a
marine engine. He suggested baking the mag in oven at 200 degrees for
several hours and then letting it cool in the oven. I tried his
suggestion but was dubious. After it was cool I grabbed the spark plug
wire and turned the mag over. When it let go I got a really good
shock. Made my arm ache.
Eric
wrote:
have some old magnetos that work this way. One is on my 1945 Gibson
tractor. When turned slowly it winds up a spring inside that lets go
when it reaches a certain tension, thereby spinning the magnet fast
enough to get a good spark. Those mags will deliver a really good
shock. Years ago I had one of these that would only deliver a little
tingle. Talking to a guy who knew about mags said that the coil may
have absorbed moisture over time, especially since the mag was from a
marine engine. He suggested baking the mag in oven at 200 degrees for
several hours and then letting it cool in the oven. I tried his
suggestion but was dubious. After it was cool I grabbed the spark plug
wire and turned the mag over. When it let go I got a really good
shock. Made my arm ache.
Eric
John Robertson
May 26, 2018, 4:32:34 PM5/26/18
to
unscrupulous folks and guess where they were hooked up...
John :-#(#
John-Del
May 26, 2018, 5:06:39 PM5/26/18
to
http://www.westracingproducts.com/MSD-Pro-Mag-12-LT-Magneto-Fits-Chevy-V8_p_981.html
et...@whidbey.com
May 26, 2018, 5:57:34 PM5/26/18
to
On Sat, 26 May 2018 14:06:36 -0700 (PDT), John-Del <ohg...@gmail.com>
They must have some pretty strong magnets and the voltage at operating
RPM must be VERY high. I guess that's what is needed for really high
compression engines.
Eric
RPM must be VERY high. I guess that's what is needed for really high
compression engines.
Eric
Fox's Mercantile
May 26, 2018, 6:52:46 PM5/26/18
to
On 5/26/18 5:04 PM, et...@whidbey.com wrote:
> They must have some pretty strong magnets and the voltage at operating
> RPM must be VERY high. I guess that's what is needed for really high
> compression engines.
At one time, I had a '55 Chevy 2-door sedan.
> They must have some pretty strong magnets and the voltage at operating
> RPM must be VERY high. I guess that's what is needed for really high
> compression engines.
With a 437 cu in big block,Hilborn fuel injection
<https://kinsler.com/Shop/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BBC-X-ram.jpg?9a05f9&9a05f9>
and other assorted"make a shit ton of horsepower" goodies.
One of them was a Hunt Magneto.
One day, while hanging out at a local wrecking yard, a guy bet me he
could kill my engine by pissing on it.
Heh. "$100 says ya can't."
I opened the hood, by tilting the whole front end forward.
He unzips his fly and I watch the golden stream arch over until it
hits the distributor.
My Chevy is still idling, and he's laying on his back screaming "My
dick!"
I just walked over to him, "When you're done screaming,you owe me
$100."
Fox's Mercantile
May 26, 2018, 6:53:36 PM5/26/18
to
On 5/26/18 5:52 PM, Fox's Mercantile wrote:
> At one time, I had a '55 Chevy 2-door sedan.
> With a 437 cu in big block,Hilborn fuel injection
Typo, 427
> At one time, I had a '55 Chevy 2-door sedan.
> With a 437 cu in big block,Hilborn fuel injection
captainvi...@gmail.com
May 27, 2018, 9:57:02 AM5/27/18
to
On Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:08:10 AM UTC-4, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
I understand the value of "object lessons". I have 5 grandchildren.
But why in God's name would you let someone piss on your engine?
Lenny
Fox's Mercantile
May 27, 2018, 1:31:50 PM5/27/18
to
On 5/27/18 8:57 AM, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> I understand the value of "object lessons". I have 5 grandchildren.
> But why in God's name would you let someone piss on your engine?
> Lenny
Because 1. it was worth $100 and 2. It was funnier than Hell.
> I understand the value of "object lessons". I have 5 grandchildren.
> But why in God's name would you let someone piss on your engine?
> Lenny
John-Del
May 28, 2018, 10:44:07 AM5/28/18
to
On Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 1:31:50 PM UTC-4, Fox's Mercantile wrote:
> On 5/27/18 8:57 AM, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I understand the value of "object lessons". I have 5 grandchildren.
> > But why in God's name would you let someone piss on your engine?
> > Lenny
>
> Because 1. it was worth $100 and 2. It was funnier than Hell.
>
LOL! The only shame is that you didn't video record it.
> On 5/27/18 8:57 AM, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I understand the value of "object lessons". I have 5 grandchildren.
> > But why in God's name would you let someone piss on your engine?
> > Lenny
>
> Because 1. it was worth $100 and 2. It was funnier than Hell.
>
Fox's Mercantile
May 28, 2018, 12:04:28 PM5/28/18
to
with me at the time.
Fox's Mercantile
May 28, 2018, 12:07:24 PM5/28/18
to
Just a random thought.
I used to work as a mechanic at a small engine repair shop.
One of the cartoons that found a home on the front counter:
A kid sitting in the driveway with the lawn mower totally
disassembled. And his dad standing there looking at him.
"I found the problem. It's out of gas."
I used to work as a mechanic at a small engine repair shop.
One of the cartoons that found a home on the front counter:
A kid sitting in the driveway with the lawn mower totally
disassembled. And his dad standing there looking at him.
"I found the problem. It's out of gas."
Jeff Liebermann
May 28, 2018, 3:11:30 PM5/28/18
to
On Mon, 28 May 2018 11:07:16 -0500, Fox's Mercantile <jda...@att.net>
wrote:
>Just a random thought.
>
>I used to work as a mechanic at a small engine repair shop.
>One of the cartoons that found a home on the front counter:
>
>A kid sitting in the driveway with the lawn mower totally
>disassembled. And his dad standing there looking at him.
>"I found the problem. It's out of gas."
The caption should have been "You're paying me how much to fix this"?
--
Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
wrote:
>Just a random thought.
>
>I used to work as a mechanic at a small engine repair shop.
>One of the cartoons that found a home on the front counter:
>
>A kid sitting in the driveway with the lawn mower totally
>disassembled. And his dad standing there looking at him.
>"I found the problem. It's out of gas."
--
Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
peterw...@gmail.com
May 29, 2018, 8:01:16 AM5/29/18
to
The question remains - did you ever get the beast running again?
John Robertson
May 29, 2018, 11:15:05 AM5/29/18
to
(mix of gas and air), compression, ignition, exhaust. Each cycle can be
tested easily enough - starting with a compression test.
John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd.
MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
(604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
Terry Schwartz
May 29, 2018, 11:16:21 AM5/29/18
to
Too funny. At least Darwin went right for the reproductive organs. Fastest route to stopping the genetic defects.
peterw...@gmail.com
May 29, 2018, 1:22:58 PM5/29/18
to
On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 11:16:21 AM UTC-4, Terry Schwartz wrote:
> Too funny. At least Darwin went right for the reproductive organs. Fastest route to stopping the genetic defects.
Leaving the most important question, from The Lancet, April 1, 1960-something:
> Too funny. At least Darwin went right for the reproductive organs. Fastest route to stopping the genetic defects.
Is Sterility Hereditary?
captainvi...@gmail.com
May 30, 2018, 2:23:38 PM5/30/18
to
On Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:08:10 AM UTC-4, captainvi...@gmail.com wrote:
> I apologize if part of this seems off topic but I thought that the electronic component of it might be on. I have this 3.5 horse engine on my old push mower. The engine is about 38 years old now but the mower is used very infrequently so the hours are not that bad. About 5 or 6 years ago I replaced the old OEM coil that used points, with a used newer electronic type that eliminates the points. The mower is on it's third carburetor, gas tank and second deck but it has always started ok. I tried to start the mower this morning and as sure as my wife said, (I hate it when she's right), "You'll never start that old thing", it wouldn't start. Long story short there is no HV spark to the plug. It seems as though the coil is bad again. I was going to hit up a few used lawnmower places to try to get a replacement coil because I have no engine numbers on my machine to look up the part but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to bench test these things. Thanks for any help Lenny
nope haven't gotten it working yet. Need to find a lawnmower graveyard
for a coil.Lenny
captainvi...@gmail.com
May 30, 2018, 3:06:30 PM5/30/18
to
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