By Bob Snyder on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have a 96 max (with a briggs vanguard of course). It has never run right since i bought it, but now it won't even start. I rebuilt the carb thinking that the previous owner let it sit with old gas for a long period of time..no luck. Now when i crank it over without the air filter installed, it shoots flames out the carb. I'm thinking timing problem, but the engine has very few hours on it so... this doesn't seem likely. Is there a problem with the timing with these things?

By LAWPRESSMAN on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I WOULD THINK YOUR MOTOR HAS A TIMING PROBLEM. AND IT IS MOST LIKLEY A SHEARED KEY ON THE FLYWHEEL. MOST OF THE BRIGGS MOTORS HAVE 2 COILS, ONE FOR EACH CYLINDER. EACH COIL SHOULD HAVE ABOUT .OO8 TO .012 CLEARANCE. CHECK THIS AND SEE IF BOTH COILS ARE CORRECT.
I JUST FINISHED A 16HP BRIGGS ON A MAX 2 THAT WAS RUNNING BAD. A MOUSE HAD BUILT A NEST AND HAD EATEN ALL THE COIL WIRES DOWN TO BEAR METAL. SO TAKE THE FLYWHEEL COVER OFF THE MOTOR AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THEN REMOVE THE FLYWHEEL AND CHECK THE KEY, IT SHOULD BE SQUARE AND NO MARKS ON IT. IF YOU LIVE NEAR WALDO OHIO BRING IT OVER AND I WILL FIX FOR YOU. OR CALL ME 740-726-2656

By roadwolf on Unrecorded Date: Edit

bob, are you sure you got the spark plug wire on the correct cylinder?