r/smallengines

Got this splitter on marketplace. Briggs Stratton 130202 engine, pictures attached. Runs nicely, split a couple cords this morning.

I want to give it a tune up. Going to replace plug, clean, want to change engine oil. What oil would you use, should I go synthetic? Anything else I should do?

Does anyone have any ideas why this would be surging? It also doesn't want to start unless the choke is on, and it seems to die when the throttle is below 30%.

It's a 2 stroke, it is relatively large (don't gauge using my hands they are large) the recoil starter is perpendicular to the crankshaft and it uses the pulley that can be seen under the engine cover in some pics, it has a walbro diaphragm carb, I don't know what it came off of and the only stamping anywhere on the engine that could indicate anything is a small diamond shape in a circle that may have an italicized M in it

Got a Briggs & Stratton 23hp twin cylinder on my JD 425B zero turn. Mowed yesterday with no issue, went to finish up today and it’s all of a sudden running poorly. The sound has changed noticeably, it almost sounds like it’s down a cylinder and has a hollow sound to it, on top of a knock/tick. It’s also down on power significantly, so much so that it struggles to even turn the blades with PTO engaged. It’s now emitting a noticeable amount of black smoke as well.

Engine has 600 hours on it, one owner and I’ve always changed oil and done all other scheduled maintenance. This year it got an oil change, fresh plugs, fresh air filter, and fresh fuel filter. The oil level today was at the bottom of the “fill” mark, but there was no noticeable shimmer or metal in it. I pulled both plugs and one does seem fouled out. I cleaned them up with some light sand paper and brake clean but no change. I’ll get new plugs on Monday to see if it helps. Both plugs are sparking and the air filter is clean with no debris. Fuel is fresh and filter seems clear.

Any thoughts on what may be causing this?

I was mowing yesterday and had a sudden drop in power. 0 compression in #1 cylinder. I got it apart and found that the exhaust valve had failed. I want to chalk it up to fatigue but thought it might be smart to get some other opinions.

Engine is a Kohler m18 with about 1000 hours on it. I just honed the cylinders and replaced the rings. The engine has been run about 3 hours since that work was completed. I touched up the valves and made sure they were in spec at that time as well.