Example of Briggs & Stratton blown head gasket
Identifying a blown head gasket on a Briggs & Stratton engine involves looking for several key symptoms. Here's a quick guide to help you:
- Power Loss: A significant reduction in engine power or performance.
- Overheating Engine: The engine may run hotter than usual, which can be due to the loss of compression or coolant entering the combustion chamber.
- Oil Contamination: Check the oil; a milky or frothy appearance indicates coolant is mixing with the oil, a common symptom of a blown head gasket.
- Excessive Exhaust Smoke: White smoke from the exhaust can indicate coolant burning in the combustion chamber.
- Coolant Loss: Unexplained coolant loss with no visible leaks could suggest it's being burned due to a head gasket failure.
- Poor Starting: Difficulty in starting the engine or it runs unevenly could also be a sign.
To accurately diagnose a blown head gasket, a compression test or a leak-down test can be very helpful. These tests can indicate if combustion gases are leaking into the cooling system or oil passages, which is a clear sign of a head gasket failure.
For specific Briggs & Stratton parts or tools to assist in diagnosing or repairing your engine, please visit our website or provide me with your engine's Model, Type, and Code numbers, and I can help you find the right products.
If you're unsure or need further assistance, please provide your email and name, and one of our team members will contact you for support.
- Alex McCallum
