Seriously? Easy to Overlook Issue with Briggs Engine Push Mower Surging & Low Power

This video covers how the intake tube that links the carburetor to the combustion chamber on a Briggs and Stratton push mower engine can get damaged by the engine heat shield and how to fix it.

If your engine is running rough (surging) and has low power output, be sure to check the following things first:
Air Filter
Carburetor (clean it)
Make sure the O-ring and retaining clip are in the carburetor before attaching it to the intake tube
Replace the Carburetor Diaphragm
Make sure the throttle springs are in place

If those issues don't fix your problem, make sure to check the intake tube to see if it is damaged. If there is a hole on it then it will be pulling in unmetered air and your engine will never run correctly.

A small hole can easily be repaired with a quick setting epoxy.

[pyrokamileon]

I have been having issues with my lawnmower feeling like it is low on power. I will have to take a look at this possibility tomorrow (I had it in pieces earlier while cleaning the carburetor but this is a problem that I will keeping searching for the culprit on..) thank you for the idea! 👍🏽

[williamwaters]

What a bizarre problem, I have never seen that happen.