Intek engines

[Mad Mackie]

Hi troops,
I have a 2008 Scag Tiger Cub with a 26 HP Briggs ELS twin. Last summer it started "sneezing" periodically. I found the L/H cylinder to have much lower compression than the R/H cylinder. Further testing with a leakdown tester showed leaking by the rings. Subsequent leakdown testing indicates and increase in the leakage rate.
I removed the heads but found no scoring on the cylinder walls. This engine has 500 hours on it and I operate this machine in dusty conditions with a collection system most of the time. Sometimes I have to replace the air filter after 15 hours and do oil changes more often than scheduled.
I plan to repower this machine with a new Briggs 30 HP Pro engine that has the cyclonic air filtration system. I would prefer a Kawasaki FX730, but the cost of the Kawasaki repower is more than twice than the Briggs. I love the Kawi FX 730 on my new Hustler X-ONE and would love to have the same power on my Scag, but the dollars just don't work out for me. The Hustler is a rear discharge machine which is used almost exclusively for cemetery mowing.
Later
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing:

 

[noma]

HI all

I do have a Briggs 20 hp ELS to with about 300 hrs on it now. It in pretty dust conditions and hope the engines work out for a while , i do the oil changes sooner then needed. And change air filters regularly to.:licking::licking:

 

[Kodie's Lawn Service]

Jakes, That's about the hours mine had when it overheated and pushed a valve guide. IMO you may not have a problem if you do not use the tractor hard. Mine failed @ 85F with 3 bagger full of damp grass mowing on a slope. Hard work for this unit I think although the engine has never bogged or refused it gets very hot. Adjust your valves carefully and listen for "morning sickness"- missing , backfires, run-on. If you use it hard in summer I would take its temp. At the head.:2cents:

Since he os saying it is over heating u.may wanna use a bit thicker oil so it will not take that chance but if I. Winter use do not use thick oil at all :thumbsup:

 

[StudeRanch]

Although I'm a newbie in here I've about had my fill with Briggs & Stratton engines. The 2 here are both 17hp singles that a year after the starter is replaced they refuse to turn over. I was looking at an Ariens with the 20hp Intek twin but now I see it is another Briggs I wont even think of buying it. Maybe I should have had my screen name as FedupinSoCal.

 

[panabiker]

It depends on what you do with mower. If you use it for commercial lawn mowing business, it may not last for more than a season. If you use it once a week for 1-2 hours and take good care of it (check oil level, change oil, etc.) , it will be fine for many years. I have an 18.5hp Intek on my riding mower for more than 10 years and still running good.

 

[jakesmurray]

Welcome to LMF. It's funny that you brought this thread up, as I was just thinking about my Intek the other day. I've had this mower for over 3 years now, and I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. I meticulously maintain it, replacing the oil, spark plugs, fuel and air filters every year. I am a firm believer that maintenance is everything. A well maintained engine shouldn't let you down. I said shouldn't because we all know there are always exceptions...

 

[BlazNT]

I love when people hate things like this. I get to buy they for little to nothing put maybe $30 worth of parts and no more than 2 hours labor and have a flipable mower to make money on. Last winter I purchased 6 riders none over $50.00. Total spent $75.00 in parts and 6 hours of labor. All the mowers are gone and not a one for under $350.00. $375 invested and $2100 in sales.

 

[Carscw]

Funny this is here today.
Got a Intek today $20
Would not start. Ha ha dumb *** had two year old gas. I almost felt bad for stealing it from him. I know I can get $500 for the whole mower.

 

[BlazNT]

Serial of the fittest I guess.

 

[StudeRanch]

I don't know. I've been in this place for about 7 years now. I bought a riding mower (used) the first year. It ran ok. On the next year it needed belts & spindles. Ok, not life threatening so I fixed it. The third year the starter wouldn't turn the engine over, even with a jump from one of the cars, so a new starter was replaced & it worked fine.....for that year. Next year, even after new fuel & an oil change it exhibited the same starter problems. A brand new mower was available at Home Depot so I went for it. Now, of course after the warranty has expired, it is doing the same starter problem as the first one. Being they are both Briggs & Stratton engines & the same cylinder setup I have my reservations about their products. I have just over an acre & a quarter to mow, & only have to do it maybe 4 times a year if that due to the drought & nothing really grows & the sprinklers have been turned off for about 4 years now. But the weeds are getting high now & I don't need a ticket from the fire department. New gas, Sta-bil, carb cleaner doesn't do anything. I'm open to suggestions.