5h Briggs burning oil like crazy

rpete · 05-18-2009, 08:35 PM

I bought a 5hp Briggs engine mounted on a Garden King rototiller off of craigslist last fall. The guy said it didn't run but for $25 I couldn't resist. Anyways, the problem is that it burns oil bad. I replaced the spark plug and got it running for about 5 minutes but it eventually died on me. I pulled the plug and it was completely fouled. I also noticed some oil on the top of the engine near the spark plug. I don't think it is coming from the plug but can't really tell where it's coming from. I initially thought the previous owner overfilled the oil so I drained some of it (to just below the bottom threads). It statrted again with a little less smoke but it only ran a few seconds then died again. Took the plug out and this time there was fresh oil. At this point I am thinking it is either the rings, or something to do with the valves. Can anyone give me some pointers?

**Basementgeek** · 05-19-2009, 06:23 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum

It could one or both. It depends on what the person did in the way of maintenance and naturally the age. Maybe a bad crank case breather valve

Here the B/S web page:

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/mai...nual_and_more/

Some times using a straight weight oil, like 40w, will slow the engine oil burn rate.

BG

05-18-2009, 08:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
rpete Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1 OS: vista	5h Briggs burning oil like crazy I bought a 5hp Briggs engine mounted on a Garden King rototiller off of craigslist last fall. The guy said it didn't run but for $25 I couldn't resist. Anyways, the problem is that it burns oil bad. I replaced the spark plug and got it running for about 5 minutes but it eventually died on me. I pulled the plug and it was completely fouled. I also noticed some oil on the top of the engine near the spark plug. I don't think it is coming from the plug but can't really tell where it's coming from. I initially thought the previous owner overfilled the oil so I drained some of it (to just below the bottom threads). It statrted again with a little less smoke but it only ran a few seconds then died again. Took the plug out and this time there was fresh oil. At this point I am thinking it is either the rings, or something to do with the valves. Can anyone give me some pointers?

05-19-2009, 06:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,467 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 5h Briggs burning oil like crazy Hi and welcome to the forum It could one or both. It depends on what the person did in the way of maintenance and naturally the age. Maybe a bad crank case breather valve Here the B/S web page: http://www.briggsandstratton.com/mai...nual_and_more/ Some times using a straight weight oil, like 40w, will slow the engine oil burn rate. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP