Hello, I have a Zero turn Simplicity Citation with a Briggs 23hp Vangaurd motor on it (424 hours). It was running funny so I took the valve cover off and found a bent intake push rod. I replaced the rod and it ran great for a little while, I thought the problem was fixed. Well, the problem is worse now and it won't even stay running. I checked all 4 push rods again and everything looks fine. Not sure what to do now. Please help.

SOURCE: Briggs and Stratton OHV V-Twin 24hp repetitive valve adjustment

Try pulling out the choke a little, if it stops backfiring the mixture is too lean, check the intake
pipes at the cyl head and also the plastic runners to the carb for leaks.
Dennis in Chicago

Craig Butler

• 1730 Answers
• Posted on Jun 27, 2009

SOURCE: Engine smokes and looses power

Check the air filter, replace.

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SOURCE: oil in air breather

sounds like you have too much oil in the engine (should normally be around 500-600ml when there is too much oil, it gets past the piston rings and pushes it through to the head.

SOURCE: After about 30 to 40 minutes of use (varies, the

I have a 7 year-old craftsman mower with a 22 HP Briggs engine that has the same issue. After about an hour, the mower acts as if it is starving for fuel and then stalls. Then after about 5 minutes of sitting, it will run for a little while longer.
If your engine is similar to mine, then its carb has a fuel shut off solenoid which shuts off fuel to the Main Jet when Voltage is removed to prevent backfiring when the key is shut off.
Unfortunately, this solenoid can also cause the carb to starve for fuel when not working properly. In my case, when I cleaned the solenoid and the solenoid's connections, the tractor had no problem after that.

Hope that helps,
Steve

SOURCE: briggs motor bent one push rod

This is a vary commom problem with an Intek engine, I have a similar 21HP engine with similar issue. The valve is sticking in the valve guide, the valve guide usually slides in or out. If out, the guide can jamb against the keepers and not allow full valve opening, thus bending the rod. Fix the loose guide and tight valve before you put in another rod, or you will soon be putting more rods in. I think B&S should help everyone on this one. If the guide goes in, it can cause the valve not to close fully and cause a no run condition.