OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Rover Engines ROVER Wayfarer: Hard to Start

Finally got some time to look at this and took off the valve cover. They seem to be fine although one was a bit squeaky so out with the wd40 and worked it in until the squeak was diminished. The mower started a bit easier, compression felt better, will test it with the gauge next time.

. squeaky ? wd40 ??!! check later .
i guess done once done right doesn't sound correct too

Saw a YouTube video where someone used wd40 to free up a stuck valve so that's why I used it, mine were pretty free moving though but one of them looked like it could use some more lube, wd40 was close at hand so used that. Couldn't even see the valve stems so obviously need to take more apart but didn't have time or the right tools at hand. Dave it sounds like you're not convinced up my fix, the mower did start easier, could be due to other things though. Don't want to open her up just yet, always the prospect that I won't be able to get it back together.

Its not that hard to do the valves on the L-head. The hardest part would be a valve guide replacement which it sound like you may need to do here; seldom need to replace valve seats and sometime they not even available. You just need access to the correct tools. These can be expensive for an one time repair job. In a shop setting they are not that bad; although, it can be a rough on small start-up operating on shoe string budget. I have doing this for 6 years and only do a valve job less ten times a year.

The reason I think you probably needing the replace a valve and guide which is most likely the exhaust valve is the carbon build up that you just partially clean off the valve stem. This is usually caused by blow by of a worn valve stem and guide.

The valve spring retainer should be a self locking key hole type. These are much easier to remove then the split type or the pin type.

If you decide to do the repair download a copy the Briggs 270962 Single L-Head service manual. The instructions for doing valves is in Section 6 (Compression).

Thanks AVB, will look at the briggs guide. My sister who owns this machine has been running this mower without much oil so I suspect rings but mower certainly starts easier now so go figure.