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Is this normal?

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Martin C

Well-known member
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68
Been having problems with my B&S washer lately, cutting out when hot & not restarting until it cools down.
Jobs I’ve done on it today after it let me down half way through a job.
Carb off & cleaned all jets, fuel tank off & flushed & cleaned fuel filter, check for good spark…it has, air filter clean.
Oil levels all good.
Reassemble the parts & straight away if fired up and sounded so much better.
But as before I get an occasional kick back from the pull cord when pulling, it aggressively rips it out of my hand, also as per video clip…when under load the machines seems to be understress & even moving the machine.
Could this be the flywheel key causing a timing issue?

*Update. Video won’t upload, file too large 😔
 
Been having problems with my B&S washer lately, cutting out when hot & not restarting until it cools down.
Jobs I’ve done on it today after it let me down half way through a job.
Carb off & cleaned all jets, fuel tank off & flushed & cleaned fuel filter, check for good spark…it has, air filter clean.
Oil levels all good.
Reassemble the parts & straight away if fired up and sounded so much better.
But as before I get an occasional kick back from the pull cord when pulling, it aggressively rips it out of my hand, also as per video clip…when under load the machines seems to be understress & even moving the machine.
Could this be the flywheel key causing a timing issue?

*Update. Video won’t upload, file too large 😔
If you're getting kickback on starting you need to check your valve clearances and timing. A fault that can cause incorrect timing is also to check the flywheel and keyway. You only need to advance the timing slightly for it to pop and kickback on you.
 
Is it belt driven, that could need adjustment...

Another thing to check the seat valves in pump head, one could be jammed if the machine hasn't been used for a while...

You could try -

Force feeding the suction hose off a tap, that can open a stuck seat valve.
 
Is it belt driven, that could need adjustment...

Another thing to check the seat valves in pump head, one could be jammed if the machine hasn't been used for a while...

You could try -

Force feeding the suction hose off a tap, that can open a stuck seat valve.
Yes, belt driven machine, although the belt feels tight?
 
If you're getting kickback on starting you need to check your valve clearances and timing. A fault that can cause incorrect timing is also to check the flywheel and keyway. You only need to advance the timing slightly for it to pop and kickback on you.
I best get the flywheel off & check the key, see if it’s sheared or moved?
 
If you're getting kickback on starting you need to check your valve clearances and timing. A fault that can cause incorrect timing is also to check the flywheel and keyway. You only need to advance the timing slightly for it to pop and kickback on you.
Any ideas why it’s shaking like hell under load, it's a heavy machine but still managing to slightly turn itself?
 
Any ideas why it’s shaking like hell under load, it's a heavy machine but still managing to slightly turn itself?
Any excess vibration or erratic movement is due to imbalance and in the rarest instance can be due to excessive back pressure. Does the exhaust has a spark arrestor fitted? Wire mesh steel wool looking plug in the exhaust?
When blocked with too much carbon build up it can cause a multitude of issues

What model machine is it ?
 
Any excess vibration or erratic movement is due to imbalance and in the rarest instance can be due to excessive back pressure. Does the exhaust has a spark arrestor fitted? Wire mesh steel wool looking plug in the exhaust?
When blocked with too much carbon build up it can cause a multitude of issues

What model machine is it ?
Not sure on a spark arrestor, I’ll check and see if it’s got one
 
You're probably best taking to someone who knows these machines. The belt might feel fine to you and me but to a specialist they might spot something...

I have a Briggs Stratton Vanguard 30lpm...

I recently had a problem with mine and excessive shaking after not being used for the winter. My local repair shop couldn't identify the fault, so I took it to another guy who found the fault with it being the belt... He said to me he only found it it was the belt by accident, think he tapped something and the vibration stopped, then he did something to the belt...
 
My symptoms were - started fine it's electric start, water pressure fine no matter what the unloader was set too, but when under load, it vibrated, if I reduced flow via unloader to a weak flow vibration stopped but it wasn't strong enough to clean....
 
My symptoms were - started fine it's electric start, water pressure fine no matter what the unloader was set too, but when under load, it vibrated, if I reduced flow via unloader to a weak flow vibration stopped but it wasn't strong enough to clean....
I did think of getting it in for a service, but don’t know anyone locally who is capable of dealing with these machines, don’t fancy travelling 100 miles to one of the specialists.
I’m in Poole, Dorset… if anyone knows anyone in or around the area?
 
I best get the flywheel off & check the key, see if it’s sheared

I did think of getting it in for a service, but don’t know anyone locally who is capable of dealing with these machines, don’t fancy travelling 100 miles to one of the specialists.
I’m in Poole, Dorset… if anyone knows anyone in or around the area?
Ring Lee Martin of Bladeright in Somerset. He may be your closest for service work or further advice
 
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