New guy needs some help!

[sloppy-joe]

Whats up guys

This is Sloppy Joe signing in for the first time. I have been reading your posts in here for a long time, since I first got a MAX IV off ebay about 6 years ago. This site is great I have never had to post anything in here before most of my questions were already covered in here. Until now,

What would cause a 18HP Briggs to bend one pushrod and throw another? It was running fine when I turned it off in the garage then three days later it would not even try to start. I checked out the normal things that would keep it from starting fuel, air, spark all good to go but then no compression. I finaly opened it up and quickly found one rod bent and another just laying there. How bad could this be? Will I need to get a new motor or just replace the rods.

I just do not know what would have caused it and do not want to replace the rods just to have it happen again as soon as they are in.

If I do need to replace the motor any sugestions for one that is not as loud. I use this for deer hunting in the swamps but you can hear it a mile away.

Thanks in advance for any help .

[wfo]

could have sticking valves...was the engine sitting for a long time ?...bad fuel can cause a valve to stick in the guide..

[racerone3]

I just replied in the intro thread. i believe your valve lash may have just gotten too far out of adjustment. you will need new pushrods for sure. rocker arms might be damaged as well. if the pushrods were not seated properly in the rockers it might have also pushed the lavles too far open and damaged them. you might consider taking it to a briggs dealer (most any mower shop can work on your engine) and have them do the work for you if you don't know what to look for. it shouldn't be too expensive.

if the machine is that loud, it may be time to replace the muffler. a stock briggs should not be too obnoxious with a good exhaust

[sloppy-joe]

Thanks for the replies yes it had been sitting for several years but the motor only has 60 hours on it. I just did not expect that kind of issue with so little time on the machine.

[Roger S]

I would guess gummy valve guides and stems. You should be able to easily push the valves open with the palm of your hand, see if they are free, and if they pop back shut. If not, you can tap them with a hammer and see if they free up. Pushrods are cheap, rockers are too. You have aluminum and steel pushrods in there, you can replace the alumunum ones with steel if you want. Valve ajustment is a little tricky with the compression release design. If you get it started, add some upper cylinder lubricant to the gas, or marvel mystery oil, etc.

[racerone3]

ok, i was expecting higher hours. I would say WFO and Roger nailed the diagnosis.

[sloppy-joe]

Hey guys thanks for the replies the valves were sticking open. I got them worked loose and lubed, new connecting rod is installed and it is just trying to get all the bad gas and sediment out of the tank. It is running now but really rough and it is shooting flames out the tail pipe about 2 feet long. Normally I would think it was kinda cool well funny any way but I am worried about it melting the body of the max.

[sloppy-joe]

Racer, your right there should be alot more hours on it but I have had to store it for the past five years while I was overseas. I just got back and was trying to get it running consistantly for deer season. I would hate to have that just thing quit on me in the swamp. Getting stuck I can deal with but no power out there would be a real pain.