Briggs and Stratton 13.5 I/C just started backfiring like mad

[Howard Sterndrive]

Was mowing just fine, didn't hit anything.
Pushed clutch in, went to back up and blam...instantly started running terrible and backfiring through carb.

What usually breaks like that on a 5 year old lawn tractor?

Oil looks fine. Did a visual check - fuel filter, air filter....no loose parts...all looks fine.

I guess I'll take the spark plug out and see if anything goofy happened to it, then pull the valve cover off and see if something broke in there.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 13.5 I/C just started backfiring like mad

well that was easy - power wire to coil rubbed through the insulation where it vibrates against the cooling fin there on the block.
I taped and heat shrinked it. Back in business.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Briggs and Stratton 13.5 I/C just started backfiring like mad

Glad it was an easy fix! Those IC models are known for head gaskets.
If it ever puffs a little white smoke or starts using oil it will be time.
If you followed the other lawn mower thread a couple weeks ago you know what i'm talking about.
I had 3 engines in a row that the gasket blew between the cavity where the push rods are and the cylinder.They ran fine but puffed a little smoke under load and at random times.
Briggs & Stratton is aware of it but don't tell anyone.
Good thing is the gasket is only 6 bucks..