I haven't seen him in a while, but, I doubt if he's done anything with it. It'll probably just keep getting jump started with the car till that starter burns up. It is kind of a puzzler though. He probably wouldn't invest in a new starter till the old one goes up in a puff of smoke. bjr
briggs 18 hp twin on JD lawn tractor
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deepNdirt
Veteran Member
The reason I ask is I've been starting the twin 16 hp on My tractor with a charger/250 amp jump starter, and it has been whizzing it over pretty good, after a while of using the Roper I decided it was worthy to invest into a new battery, so now that I have a 500 amp battery it turns over sluggish, Thank goodness it starts up rather easy otherwise it would be doing just as you have described your friends has done, and has got me thinking more along line of in need of a stronger battery rather then a starter,
can you remember how quickly the engine turns over while using booster cables from a stronger battery?
can you remember how quickly the engine turns over while using booster cables from a stronger battery?
I've not actually seen him start the tractor, He's just been using it occasionally. He seems to be able to get it started somehow. I was thinking a different starter but he won't spend the money till this one goes up in smoke. The last we had talked, I couldn't "guarantee" that a different starter would make a difference, so, he gonna stay with what he's got. bjr
alchemysa
Veteran Member
I don't know anything about the twin B&S but I have a single B&S that had the well known valve gap problem. Once the valves were adjusted the engine didn't just start easier, it ran MUCH better. It runs at higher revs (so it cuts better) and it idles at very low revs. (Previously it would just conk out if I throttled back too far). When you think about it these are obvious improvements you'd expect when an engine isn't fighting its own compression.
My point is that it would be worth checking the valve gap anyway. And, when the mower is running, see if the top speed and the idle speed seem to be reasonable.
My point is that it would be worth checking the valve gap anyway. And, when the mower is running, see if the top speed and the idle speed seem to be reasonable.
I agree valve lash settings are simple maintenance. But to mechanically uninclined it seems to a monumental undertaking and the old "It runs just fine the way it is" kinda keeps blocking the troubleshooting. I don't argue with the man as it's his mower, so, he can keep feedin' it starters as long as he likes, till he get disgusted and sells the mower. bjr
