What is the compression ratio for my engine?
Briggs & Stratton side valve (L-Head) engines use a compression ratio of 6 to 1.Our Overhead Valve (OHV) engines use a compression ratio of 8.5 to 1.
What would cause my engine to "puff" smoke while it runs?
White/blue smoking usually indicates the burning of oil. Causes to this condition include:
- Overfilling the crankcase with oil
- Incorrect oil grade
- Operating engine at greater than a 15 degree angle
- Inoperative crankcase breather
- Crankcase air leak
- Blown head gasket
- Worn cylinder and/or rings
- Turning/Tilting the engine on its side for any reason (storage, changing oil, etc). If the engine has to be tilted, ensure the spark plug is facing upwards to help prevent oil from escaping the crankcase.
Also, be aware that any small air leak can cause an excess of air entering the crankcase and will create a higher oil mist than the breather is capable of handling. The excess oil will then return through the breather tube and back to the air filter.
Engine oil capacity is dependant on your specific engine model. To determine your engine's oil capacity, please visit our
Oil Capacitypage. Oil level checking and changing intervals are available on our
Maintenance Schedule page, as well as a hyperlink (text highlighted in blue) leading to oil changing procedures.
The "Oil" section of your
Operator's Manual also contains this information.
Other possible causes include operating or tilting the unit at an angle, an obstruction in the breather tube (located behind the air filter), damage to the cylinder/piston rings, etc.
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