Successful bandaid fixes for compression loss on small engines

[Gale Hawkins]

Soundguy I am going to try the Sea Foam in the spark plug hole before I change the old oil in our 'new to us 2002 Polaris. Right now we are waiting for a new carb boot to reinstall the carb. Adding 1.5 oz per quart of motor oil is something that I do sometimes but letting it seep past the rings is a good idea however. Sea Foam in the engine oil under heat and pressure would have some 'flushing' effect and if it was softened already by a Sea Foam 'soak' that should be a nice plus. Running three gallons of gas with 2+ oz per gallon Sea Foam mix sure did get the relative clean oil black. What came out of the oil cooler was very thick and black but i doubt it was ever drained when the oil was changed.

BigMike50 thanks for sharing your experience. That was interesting results.

 

[sox3]

A lot of times the valves get gummed up and stick in the guides. Glad you got the compression back up.

 

[94BULLITT]

I have seen valve seats pop out on a briggs. They usually come out far enough that the engine has a no compression. I hope your valve seat was not loose.

 

[sox3]

I have seen valve seats pop out on a briggs. They usually come out far enough that the engine has a no compression. I hope your valve seat was not loose.

On those B & S engines we would set the seat back in place and stake it with a center punch around the edges. Lap the valve, sometimes cut seat and valve if needed. Was a good fix to keep it alive.

 

[94BULLITT]

On those B & S engines we would set the seat back in place and stake it with a center punch around the edges. Lap the valve, sometimes cut seat and valve if needed. Was a good fix to keep it alive.

That is what I did. It held up for a little while.

 

[sox3]

Yeah, thats the time to Trade it or sell it. lol

 

[94BULLITT]

Yeah, thats the time to Trade it or sell it. lol

I had 3 mowers that were the same model. 1 knocked, 1 smoked, and 1 had the valve seat out. I sold all 3 to one guy. I actually got more out of them then what I had in them.

 

[BigMike50]

That is what I did. It held up for a little while.

I got a mint condition sears lt2000 off Craigslist for 50 bucks where the owner thought the engine blew up. My girlfriend needed a riding mower for her new house . I brought it home and it had no compression. Pulled the head and saw the exhaust valve seat popped out. I did what you guys did and peened it in there. Runs like new. Only been running for one season so far. If it happens again, I know that I just need to peen the intake valve.

 

[Soundguy]

A lot of times the valves get gummed up and stick in the guides. Glad you got the compression back up.

i had valves on my 4000 ford prior model stick so bad they made artwork out of my pushrods.

 

[sox3]

i had valves on my 4000 ford prior model stick so bad they made artwork out of my pushrods.

Now that's a stuck valve!! I have seen that a lot on Forklift Engines too.