Intek™ with XRD Series (V-Twin)
2.9
5
8
8
Beware of hard starting problem
I purchased a JD L118 In July 2005. After two years I replaced the battery and solenoid thinking that may be the cause of the engine to not turn over and/or crank slowly. After 3 years and 3months, with only 78 hours on the engine but (now out of warranty) I was in my local lawn mower shop and described the problem. I was told that it could be fixed by adjusting the valves. I had the valve adjustment done only to receive the news that I needed a new cam. The original cam, according to the repair shop was worn down and this was a problem that Briggs and Stratton had where they had a batch of cams that were not hardened properly and the compression lobe wore down so the cam had to be replaced in order to solve my hard starting problem.
It cost over $400 to replace and I was unable to re-coup the cost from John Deere or Briggs and Stratton. Had I known it was a compression release problem I could have had it addressed before the warranty ran out. I don't think a the consumer should have to pay for a known factory defect.
February 10, 2012
Intek V-Twin
I have a 18.5hp Intek V-Twin in a Craftsman tractor. I believe it's 11years old now. I have had no problems with this engine, not even any carburetor issues. I use it for mowing and snow removal and I run Mobil 1 in it for easy year round starting. .
December 3, 2011
Garbage!
I have always been a B & S owner. After this one I will no longer own one. I own a riding tractor with a 24 hp v-twin B & S with 238 hrs of riding time. Last year I replaced a head and push rods due to the valve sleeve unseating. I just purchased the other head and the push rods for the other side along with the gaskets. ($125.) When I contacted Briggs and Stratton via E- mail asking about the problem of the valve guides becoming unseated they as much as told me that it is because my tractors engine is plugged with grass and its causing the motor to overheat! My tractor is clean! When I E-mailed them back the refused to respond back to further questions i had!
The problem is that you have an aluminum head with a steel guide and common sense tells you that when heated one tends to expand faster causing the guide to move over a period of time. The valve seat should have a set screw to prevent this from happening.
All done with Briggs & Stratton!
November 15, 2011
This engine is a lemon
I have a 2005 John Deere lawn tractor with a 20 hp v-twin with 110 hrs on it. Last year it suddenly starting smoking so bad you couldn't see. Took it in for repair in April 2011 and the mechanics and Briggs engineers finally determined after several months that an internal plug that cannot be replaced came out (definite factory defect) which causes pressure to build up in the crankcase and be forced up the breather tube into the carb where it is burned. The engine runs fine, but is totally worthless which makes the perfectly good mower worthless. The repair shop and I tried to get Briggs to provide a short block, but they refused to do anything at all. Briggs as a customer friendly company really is at the bottom.
November 14, 2011
This product requires a low oil ignition cutoff
Great motor, valve adjustments are critical to prevent hard turnover when starting.
One major flaw. The motors do not have an ignition shut-off if the oil level drops below the critical level.
My 24 hp els motor, which is knbown for sudden oil consumption, blew not one but two rods on a motor that had the oil checked two mowings prior. The oil level had dropped and I have a boat anchor as a result. Honda began installing low oil ignition cutoffs decades ago to help their busy customers who have scores of machines to keep track of and are sometimes used by others. Briggs, time to catch up. Install a switch to save these motors, and your reputation.
A replacement will cost me 1000.00. I have been unemployed for 29 of the LAST 36 MONTHS SO PURCHASING THE MOTOR IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME FOR ME.
Best regards, R Cox
November 2, 2011
briggs JUNK
I will never buy another briggs product as long as i live!! The 20 HP v-tech with it's untempered parts is JUNK. I have 230 hours on the engine and it dropper the piston rod. I changed the oil and air filter more than reauired by Briggs. After contacting briggs about it. They had a represenative look at it and i was told this happened because i got dirt in the engine. A couple of engineer friends that looked at the ground up parts and said the parts were NOT heat treated.
The replacement engine for my mower now has a dual air filter with a snorkel.
If this happened to this engine it WILL happen to ALOT MORE engines. It is amazing 230 hours on the engine and it is shot!!! I have babied this engine from day one. If you look in craigs list, you will see LOTS of riding mowers wit NEW briggs engines in them. WHY did so MANY engines go bad if the parts were properly heaqt treated???
Check out the Craftsman, MF and Simplicity mowers with new 20HP engines.
Briggs DOES NOT stand behind their products AT ALL!!!
No one even offered to replace it with a short block for their cost.
If this were a car it would be called a LEMON and the manufacturer would have had to replace it.
I am looking at a kawasaki engine to replace the briggs engine. Why bother to buy from someone who does NOT stand behind their product???
Chrysler Retiree
October 31, 2011
Does an excellent job for me.
This engine runs great,starts easy,easy to change oil,filter & spark plugs.Has 23 hp which gets the job done.
October 31, 2011
John Deere L118 Riding Mower
In 2005, I purchase a new John Deere L118 Riding Mower with a Briggs & Stratton 22 HP V-Twin engine. It was a great mower but I always had trouble with the engine starting. I replaced spark plugs, starter, etc. but nothing helped. I finely sold the L118 mower in 2011 and replaced with new John Deere L130 with a Briggs & Stratton 22 HP V-Twin engine. This engine starts instantly. Great engine.
October 31, 2011
