Briggs engine starting problem

Pilot · Mar 1, 2015

5 hp engine, recoil start.

Pull the rope, it rips the rope out of my hand (ouch!) and recoils the rope. It has happened twice lately and things happen so fast I don't have time to think about what's happening or analyze what's going on. All I know is my hands hurt and the thing has wound up the rope--and it didn't start. Pull the rope again a couple times and it starts & runs normally.

Backfiring due to bad timing? How do you adjust the timing?

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

davesl708 · Mar 1, 2015

Has the engine had a shock load on it? Like a mower blade hitting a stump.
It may just be stopping before top dead center of the compression stroke and trying to fire during the pull.
You can pull the fly wheel and inspect the key to see if it is partially sheared. That condition will let the engine fire before top dead center and make the engine try to run backwards.

/pine · Mar 1, 2015

Agree with the above...check the shaft key on the flywheel...

Stimw · Mar 1, 2015

Could also be compression release system not working.
Some engines use mechanical release, (flyweights) others have a cam grind that works at low RPM.
You might need a valve adjustment for the compression release.

Sawyer Rob · Mar 1, 2015

I don't know how this can be answered UNTIL we find out which 5hp briggs he has??

Unless I'm missing something, he hasn't given us all the info yet...

SR

Pilot · Mar 1, 2015

Should have mentioned the engine is on my log splitter, so no shock load. Don't know which model is it, just that it is 5 hp.

Something came to mind and maybe it's the problem. I recently repositioned it and the space is tight & I'm pulling from a different location / direction. I might be pulling the rope out all the way in this new location.

Suppose that's the problem? Would pulling the rope out all the way do it?

dave1949 · Mar 1, 2015

The B&S engine on my rototiller has always been very kicky, like yours it will give your fingers an ouch. I don't know the model, it's about 5 years old.

I suspected a sheared flywheel key but it wasn't. I put a new key in; the key slot is bit sloppy on tolerances but I wouldn't think that would be enough to cause it kick back.

I pull the rope slowly until it feels like it is an easy pulling part of the stroke, then pull normal. It starts easy, runs well, sips fuel, but will give me a zinger if I give it a chance. Just another reason to love Honda engines.

TomSeller · Mar 1, 2015

I have an air cooled Yanmar 6 HP diesel engine and I learned with it to slowly pull up to the compression point and THEN pull hard. My 8 HP Briggs does not snap back on me at all. My china 5? HP snaps like you would not believe, hate that thing. I have repaired the pull cord mechanism 3 times.

Leejohn · Mar 2, 2015

Quote "
Pull the rope, it rips the rope out of my hand (ouch!) and recoils the rope. It has happened twice lately and things happen so fast I don't have time to think about what's happening or analyze what's going on. All I know is my hands hurt and the thing has wound up the rope--and it didn't start. Pull the rope again a couple times and it starts & runs normally."

I like the way you put it!!!! It was funny, I could just see you for some reason!!! It made me think of a little story about a guy useing a shock collar on himself.