John Deere L120 Briggs & Stratton 20 HP Intek Valve Pushrod Issue

lightningrod · May 4, 2016

Here's what I found under the engine cover.

......

lightningrod · May 4, 2016

Richard001 · May 4, 2016

Actually this is quite common.

If you store your tractor outside or in a shed the allows mice to enter, you should check for this problem every time you start up your tractor.

You don't need to remove the engine cover to check, just look around under the edges of the fan cover. If you see grass or sticks showing, time to remove the cover and check.

Get some mouse poison bait and traps.

Richard

beenthere · May 4, 2016

You are fortunate that you still have an engine after finding that mouse nest. Neighbor burned up one cylinder in his, very quickly due to a mouse.

lightningrod · May 4, 2016

Re: John Deere L120 Briggs & Stratton 20 HP Intek Valve Pushrod Issue

Thanks Richard. Yes I do store my lawn tractor in a small pole barn that I built under some pine trees. I've even seen mice run out of it (the tractor) usually when I fire it up the first time for the mowing season. I didn't realize they would pack that much stuff in there lol.

I would love to get another 5 years out of this mower. I bought it new 14 years ago. This spring I replaced the spindles and blades (second time), gave in an oil and filter change. I've also rebuilt the transmission which lasted 2 years so I replaced that as well a couple years ago.

I just used it for an hour today after tuning the pushrods. I'm very pleased. And to think I was ready to scrap it and dump two grand on a used mower down the road lol.

Thanks again everyone for the help

lightningrod · May 15, 2016

Just a quick update. I've put roughly 6 hours on the mower since the repair. She purrs like a little kitty cat

Hopefully this thread can help others.

JRoach6346 · May 22, 2016

I also replaced pushrods on my LA130 for the second time. Once in Sept 2015 and again yesterday. First time was due to bolt holding rocker arm loose. Installed new pushrods and used Loctite on bolt to prevent it backing out again. Don't know what caused them to bend second time. I get pushrods on Amazon and always keep an extra set just in case. My LA130 has almost 400 hours and is 9 years old. I set the valve lash gap to .005 per the specs. Haven't checked the valve guides yet. But will do if pushrods bend again. Right now its running perfect.