Briggs Quantum 190cc rebuild?

[nbpt100]

Forget trying to rebuild.

That is the business answer. Not everything on here is about business. Sometimes people want to do something to learn or just for the experience. Personally I have done things I know are going to cost me more just to learn more about a particular engine. I have taken junk engines apart just to understand how they are designed and put together. I did not get paid to do any of that. Said differently, I could have done other things and made more money. It was for my own personal education to improve my knowledge. Sometimes that is priceless.

 

[StarTech]

There is a difference that must be considered as a business we do charge for our labor where an individual doesn't have to pay someone to do the work. As a business we normally have tools on hand for rebuilds [normally they are used multiple times] where as an individual would have buy them them for an one time rebuild and then they are useless.

So all costs must be considered and sometimes it just make more sense to just to replace the complete engine. And some equipment it just as cost effective to replace the whole unit.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hi nbpt100,

I support your determination and tenacity to see this project through. Most of us with any length of experience doing this kind of work sometimes take for granted that we were once in the same position... But times and economics have changed dramatically.

Parts have become intentionally very expensive and quality along with availability have diminished greatly. Most of these newer engine designs were never intended to be repaired because they were designed with a short lifespan in mind like any other commodity item.

Even many of the new B&S engines come with a sticker that states "no oil change required, just add oil as needed". They do not even have a drain plug on them. If anyone wants to change the oil, they have to suction it out.

 

[nbpt100]

Hi nbpt100,

I support your determination and tenacity to see this project through. Most of us with any length of experience doing this kind of work sometimes take for granted that we were once in the same position... But times and economics have changed dramatically.

Parts have become intentionally very expensive and quality along with availability have diminished greatly. Most of these newer engine designs were never intended to be repaired because they were designed with a short lifespan in mind like any other commodity item.

Even many of the new B&S engines come with a sticker that states "no oil change required, just add oil as needed". They do not even have a drain plug on them. If anyone wants to change the oil, they have to suction it out.

All true. The manuals will tell you to turn the mower on its side to drain the oil through the fill tube. Often, if there is a drain plug it is hard to access due to other parts under the engine. For the past 15 years, if there is a drain plug, I still turn the mower on its side to drain the oil. I find that easier. No tools required and effective on most engines. The Honda GCV160 and Briggs Sprint Engine without the oil tube extension is a mess doing it that way. But they are fewer to come by. Suctioning it out is better but not everyone has that available. Eliminating the drain plug is actually a cost savings I am good with. The no oil change Engines are a Briggs marketing gimmick that has been discussed beyond worth repeating. Change the oil as you normally would. If you do so, and take reasonable good care of your mower it can still last decades. Not to say it won't need any repairs. But it is still often worth making a repair. I have seen home owners abandoning otherwise good working mowers because a cable froze, dirty carb or a rope broke. They assume the rest of the mower is junk and it is not worth fixing based on its age or some surface rust. So they go out and spend $600 on a battery mower. Often warped logic.
I am not intimidated by the cheapening of the industry. I find it frustrating, but I still want to learn and will invest in my knowledge and broaden my experience in certain areas. Somethings I throw out but I still find some things are worth the effort to repair when most would walk. Because of that, I have customers who come back.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hi N,

I am a semi- retired mechanical technician and have slowly become the "Mr. Fix It" around my area thanks to the reckless economy.