Briggs and Stratton squealing pull starter SOLVED

We have this great little shredder with a 5HP Briggs and Stratton engine which recently started making the most horrific screeching squealing noise and it became unusable so I thought I'd better sort it out. I was unable to find a fix on the internet but am so pleased to be able to say that I have found a solution and I hope it works for you.

[geoffsshed]

I have exactly the same shredder and a similar problem. Had cleaned and re-tensioned the coil starter but still had issues with the cord not retracting and the squealing. Came across your video, followed your suggestions and its now working perfectly. Thanks heaps. Cheers.

[brewski]

I’m sitting here with my son and my lawnmower scratching our heads. Thank you for this video we are going to try it out.

[deltafour]

What a giodsend! My Horizontal B&S does the same thing. Couldn't figure out why it was squealing. Now I know. You just saved me a whole lot of time, money and headaches... Thank you!

[wagsmoto]

Mate, you're a bloody legend. Awesome video, I appreciate you sharing your diagnostic process, what the solution was and then a short tutorial at the end. More people should produce videos like this. I'm currently experiencing an awful screeching from a horizontal shaft rotary hoe. This thing is properly weathered. I knew the error was coming from the area this video was about as the shaft was hot only after a few seconds of running (high friction). However, while laying in bed procrastinating getting up for the day I've come across your amazing video and now know how to disassemble the mechanism. You're a legend mate, you've saved me so much time and problem solving

[edwinflynn]

I just fixed y mulcher that had the same problem, it was also letting the puller rope out as well. I just fixed it by cleaning those parts that your showed, cleaned them out in Kero and wiped dry. I also cleaned the inside of the part thoroughly with super fine steel wool, Washed it all out and used automatic gear oil It is thin and should not attract dirt as grease or motor oil does, I did not use any grease, I just used the auto transmission oil on the ball bearings too. It worked a treat. Great video. I just thought I'd share what I did to fix mine.

[davidgeddes]

Thanks. Saved me a lot of time and money with your solution.

[hipowr]

I got a second hand old 4000 watt generator, replaced a bunch of parts, but when it started, after 10 seconds or so, it would squeal like crazy. It wrecked the plastic rope pulley, and decided to replace that along with the starter clutch. Same problem. Tried different ideas, got disgusted, and turned to You Tube. Came across your video, thought maybe that is my problem, the end of the crankshaft needed wire brushed, smoothed up, and just a little lube. Thanks for your great video!!

[paulbjork]

I saw a Steve’s small engine video not to lube the balls in the starter mechanism. So I cleaned it really good. I must of missed the lube the shaft part after cleaning 😮 I was wondering why the hole was there. Two or three pumps with the chain saw bar grease gun did the job. Thanks for addressing this crazy problem and a great solution.

[burtfj]

Did these steps and my mower works perfect again thanks and cheers mate

[johnmadsen]

Hello mate, thank you for your detailed video and explanation. This was the issue I had with my old 8hp horizontal shaft model.

[billvarner]

I'm having this same issue with a horizontal motor on my old tiller. going to being working on it today.

[TheRealKalEll]

4:44 freezeframe: see that hole on end of the shaft, that's a lube hole. There's a wick inside that hole probably worn out and when the heat builds up without lube it will squeal LOUDLY on and off while spitting out your pull cord from time to time. There's a round colored B & S decal on the shroud that says: Easy Start or Snow shround that covers this service hole, some holes were never made so drill one out for next time. When finished, cover the hole in shroud with black extra sticky Gorilla Tape so it can be serviced again later. ❤

[dab_bod]

I have a snapper (i believe it's an 8hp? Could be wrong) with a B&S that's bad. I tore the pull start assembly apart three times to clean it and respool the rope/spring and it won't go away.. when i spin that starter shaft it'll make a rattle noise... I thought there was a bearing on the other end of the shaft and thought it had spun.. so it just needs more grease? I've push mowed twice this year..lol

[decodr-ring]

I have tried three different blower covers and recoil starters. The chattering of the starter clutch caused the rope to bind inside each one. It’s a horizontal shaft 3hp engine. I did notice slight rust on the crank shaft. I will polish the spindle of the shaft and then grease it like you demonstrated. I think it will have a good chance of working, thanks!

[robertwilliams]

An old time small engine repair man showed me how to stop mine from squealing by using gasoline to clean the balls & the little cage they lay in. If the balls get dirty or greasy they stick & cannot move freely. This will make the rope push out & in when squealing. I've never tried it, but carburetor cleaner might work even better. Never lubricate the balls, it won't work right if you do.

[sarahmiddleton]

This happens a lot where I live, in the PNW, because the weather is so damp during the winter, things tend to grow rust. I prefer to use a graphite lubricant, because if the grease gets down into the area where the balls catch, it could cause the balls to hang up and the starter clutch can catch during start up. Then you have a real mess, it usually kills the engine, tangles up the rope, and sometimes breaks things (ask me how I know!). Overall, its a poor design, Briggs wasn't know for their dependable recoil starters. I've lost count of how many old Briggs engines I've just changed over to a starter cup and used a loose rope on.

[DyslexicLunatic]

Be helpful if you showed all the steps and kept your hands from blocking views. Sad, actually.