Topic: question on 18.5 single cyl. briggs for you repair guys

[ef13]

I do alot of small engine work on the side for other people and I have ran into 3 craftsman mowers with the 18.5 hp Briggs that have gone bad(broken connecting rods) in the last 3 months. Is there a problem with this engine? All seemed to have plenty of oil, maybe on the lower side of the dipstick, but still in the ok level area. What would be causing this? The one that just got dropped of to me only has 119 hrs on it. I was told that he was just dumping the bags and it popped with a puff of smoke and that was it. Just by looking at it(didnt pull the engine apart yet) it has a hole punched in the case and the rod broke at the crank. Any input would be greatly appreaciated.

[amcchevy1]

did you get to see the airfilters on these engines? they could have sucked dirt and sent it into the rod bearing area.

[ef13]

The filters werent the best , but I have seen engines a whole lot worse.

[Tecken]

Is it actually the connecting rod, or is it the AVS unit alot of newer briggs engines have?

[ef13]

Not sure what the "AVS" is? I pulled it apart today and the rod was in many pieces and some of the other internal parts were in pieces as well. No fixing this one. Anyone know where I can get a short block replacement reasonable?

[mowdak1]

"Anti-Vibration System" - it would be that big brick floating around inside the crankbase suspended from the Crank, and attached by a short connecting rod, commonly referred to as the Dog Bone, since it's about the size of a chicken drumstick bone, and it's shaped sorta like a leg bone out of a critter.

"Reasonable" is a relevant thing. Relevant meaning... How much do you want to spend, or how big is your budget on this project? G-Team and EC are both licensed Briggs dealers and can order you a new one, Jacks Small Engines has some pretty decent prices as well, but I assume you'd prefer one a little less pricey.

[jerb]

does the avs engine have a dogbone? ive only seen one of these tore apart and their a whole different critter than the synchro-blance system, they look worse!!

[nic_hayes]

It's a completely different setup in there, the crankshaft has to be balanced

[amcchevy1]

the avs engine does NOT have a dog bone. in the side of the counter weight is a slot that rides on a rib in the crankcase.