Briggs 21.5 Twin Intek (Opinions Needed)

[darrinster]

Model 445777

Type 0172 E1

Picked up a free Craftsman riding mower with a 21.5 HP Briggs Twin Intek.

Engine cranks slow, both pistons do move.

One side is missing push rods and valve cover. I'm guess it bent a push rod and previous owner stopped using it.

My question is: Is this engine worth fixing up? I know inteks have a really bad reputation.

 

[ILENGINE]

Look at the head with the missing push rods. Look inside the valve springs and see if the guide sticking up is the same height on both intake and exhaust if one is really high and will hit the valve keeper when that valve opens, you will have to replace the head. the other thing is that engine likes to eat push rods, meaning there is an oil passage big enough for the push rod to slide though and end up in the crankcase. Have found them to break governor gears, break the compression release on the camshaft, or find them wrapped around the camshaft.

 

[darrinster]

Look at the head with the missing push rods. Look inside the valve springs and see if the guide sticking up is the same height on both intake and exhaust if one is really high and will hit the valve keeper when that valve opens, you will have to replace the head. the other thing is that engine likes to eat push rods, meaning there is an oil passage big enough for the push rod to slide though and end up in the crankcase. Have found them to break governor gears, break the compression release on the camshaft, or find them wrapped around the camshaft.

Before your response I adjusted the valve lash on the #2 cylinder and it started cranking fine. I ran it for a few seconds with carb cleaner.

On the #1 cylinder the intake valve guide is sticking up much further. Should I remove the engine to see if a push rod is inside the engine?

 

[ILENGINE]

There is a chance it is in the crankcase, so you are going to need to remove the engine and the engine sump to go exploring.

 

[Tinkerer200]

You do need to see if the missing push rod(s) are in the crankcase. A new sump gasket for this engine is about $24. As for the head, simply pushing the guide back in will not work. I can tell you how to fix the guide however without replacing the head. Address below, out in proper format and remind me engine model number and what you want.

Walt Conner
wconner5 at frontier dot com

 

[motoman]

When my Intek 24 ate a pushrod it was "digested" by timing gear and came out in two pieces. Pics on this site. I did not crack check the crank gear, but the engine has run well for the last 8 years. It runs on the edge of too hot so I have an oil cooler and temp gauges to monitor. Run 5w-30 Mobil 1 only because it is common to a car I own. The engine will use/throw the thin oil a little . You cannot replace pushed guides only the head. My theory is Briggs sometimes loses control of their casting vendor or the head softens from being over heated, IL ENG is tired of my preaching, lol.

 

[ILENGINE]

I'm watching Motoman. It is mostly due to overheating of the aluminum in the heads. Could be some variation in quality control also. Could all be within specification but slight variations in metallurgy could make some parts more sensitive than others.

 

[darrinster]

I'm going to buy a good used cylinder head. I've seen a few for sale on ebay that include other parts I need.

The mower it self needs the steering gear replaced, blade engagement cable, new blades.

I will be selling the mower, once everything is in good working order.

 

[motoman]

To give Briggs fair play. My experience early soured me on more Briggs, but after this run I've had with the Intek I'm somewhat forgiving, especially since I talked to a local Husqy dealer who told me Kawasakis push guides too. Boiled down, I find myself looking at the black Crafstman garden tractors with the "Endurance Engines" which may be just marketing gobbly guk. I do not know. But the Endurance Engine hype promises better fan and that should be worthwhile. BTW the Kaws pushing guides suggests heat as the universal culprit, and...maybe the same casting house makes Briggs and Kaw heads. Would not surprise me.

 

[ILENGINE]

I have seen pushed valve guides on Kawasaki, Briggs, and Kohler. Kohler included the Command, Courage, and this past year an Aegis after the water pump failed. I am sure it is heat related, since the guides are pressed in, and the aluminum expands at a different rate that the cast valve guide.

Other than the liquid cooled Aegis the rest had mouse/chipmunk nest, or other debris blocking the cooling fins.