Ivan Vegvary wrote:
Cub Cade riding mower. 24 Hp Briggs & Stratton V-twin engine. 129
Hours, 6 years old.

SWMBO has been complaining that it doesn't have the power that it used
to and it kind of 'sputters'.

If this just started I would say it's two problems. One is crud and crap
that built up over the years has been flushed loose by the alcohol in
the current gas.
The second is the current alcohol content in the gas. It causes the
engine to run lean usually, causing sputtering and lower power.


Put on new air filter (really needed it) and pulled the plugs. Left
side plug is sooty (black) compression is 72 p.s.i. Right side plug is
normal (light brown) but compression is only 40 p.s.i.

Doesn't mean anything on these newer Briggs engines. They have a weird
compression release that makes it hard to test them unless you turn the
engine backwards.

Sooty black is usually rich running BUT on the V twins it is a sign of a
weeping valve stem seal. They can be changed easily without tearing down
the engine. You can also adjust the valves at the same time.

BTW, both plugs were very clean, i.e., not crusted or worn. Plug gap is
right on the money.

Good. That means it's just started.


Upon buying this riding mower 6 years ago (we're new to country living)
my neighbor said "nice machine, you'll be buying one every 5 years". I
hope he's wrong.

What could be going on with this engine? Is 129 hours a lot?

Nope. I have well over 800 on a Cub Cadet with an 18 HP V twin. Burns a
little oil but runs great.


I've rebuilt probably 15 car engines over the years. I've done 2
automatic transmissions. Have never tackled a 'small engine'. What do
I need to know? Do I inject a little oil, redo compression in order to
differentiate between piston ring wear vs. valves?

Won't make much difference unless you can figure out how to crank the
engine backwards.


All directions and encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I don't
have the $2k± to go buy a new one.

Help!!

Ivan Vegvary

What I would likely do is - Clean out the fuel system, replace the
inline filter, clean the carb. Install a tune up kit (most dealers have
them on the shelf, includes a new oil filter, air filter, plugs, gas
filter and oil).

Then try to buy gas that doesn't have alcohol in it if possible. If not
there is an additive you can buy that will help keep the gas/alcohol
from separating while the tractor isn't being used. If you buy your gas
in quantity and have it sitting around over a couple weeks you might
want to lower the amount you keep on hand and rotate it more often.

--
Steve W.
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