Briggs and Stratton has been one of the industry standards of outdoor equipment engines for over 110 years. With more than a century of experience under their belt, the company is one of the best in the business! In this article, we researched how to find out what year your Briggs and Stratton engine was made, and we will show you down below what we have found out.
Briggs and Stratton's engines come with a code number; this code indicates the exact date the engine was manufactured. Briggs and Stratton provides a method of interpreting these code numbers. For example, if the code of your engine is 06110356:
- The first two digits (06) indicate the year of manufacture. In this case, it is 2006.
- The next two digits (11) are the month of the year it was made, which is November.
- The following two digits (03) are the day it was made. In this case, the 3rd.
- And the final two digits designate the plant and assembly line where it was made.
Are you interested to learn more about Briggs and Stratton engines? Continue reading as we discuss other points of interest about the topic. We will be answering questions such as how reliable these engines are, how do you decode a VIN, how much is the maintenance cost for a Briggs and Stratton engine, and more. We will also be suggesting other related articles that might interest you.
How do you read a Briggs and Stratton engine serial number?
The process of reading serial numbers for Briggs and Stratton only started in 1965, meaning engines made prior have a different way of decoding the numbers. If you have an engine that is 1964 and older, B&S has another system that will let you know the manufacturing date of that engine.
B&S engines -like any other engines- have moving parts, and sometimes those parts wear out. There are cases where you need to replace some parts of the engine or need to service it. Knowing the specific model of your engine will help you buy the appropriate parts needed.
Having mismatched parts can result in the engine not running, or worse, it may cause more damage that can be very expensive to repair.
Briggs and Stratton has been the world's largest small engine producer. The company is the number one marketer for pressure washers and a leading manufacturer of power generation, lawn and garden turf care, and job site equipment. So finding parts would not be a big issue, as long as you know which part is needed to fit!
Where is the serial number located?
The location of your Briggs and Stratton serial number might depend on the style of engine shroud installed. Some engine code numbers might be covered, depending on the model and the design. It might be necessary to remove this shroud to locate the model type or number for engine identification.
Some engines have a horizontal shaft; an overhead valve engine has the serial and model numbers stamped into the OHV rocker cover. But there are certain overhead valve powered generators that equipment manufacturers installed a decorative chrome rocker over the cover. If your engine has the said decorative cover, you may need to remove it to see the model number, type, and engine code.
What is a VIN?
A VIN or a vehicle identification number is the same as the serial number for small engines, like what B&S has on their engines. The difference of VIN is that these are located on cars and they can either be on the chassis of the car or the engine or both.
Reading these is also different from the format of how Briggs and Stratton is different from other companies. It is best to refer to the owner's manual to learn how to interpret the vehicle's serial number or VIN.
How reliable are Briggs and Stratton engines?
Yes, Briggs and Stratton engines, in general, are very reliable. But like any other engine, no matter how highly rated it is, how overbuilt and well-engineered it is, without the proper maintenance and care, it will not last you long.
A well-maintained B&S will give you a fairly long service life. Some reports of their engines reaching up to 40 years of service to the owner! An insane amount of longevity as these things can last you a lifetime if taken care of properly.
B&S has innovations for their products to help it compete with other brands, and at the same time, these new technologies that they have incorporated give functionality and durability.
For example, Briggs and Stratton has what they call the Mow N'Stow feature for their lawnmowers. This allows their lawnmowers to be stored vertically, reducing the storage footprint needed by up to 70%. This gives you little space needed for storage and also easier access to other maintenance parts, including the engine.
Briggs and Stratton has been around for more than a century already. The company has stood the test of time and continues to improve for a better brand experience. If you are hesitant about the quality of their engines, their longevity alone is one great selling factor.
How much is the maintenance cost for a Briggs and Stratton engine?
In general, lawnmowers are relatively very cheap to repair. The price for repairing a lawnmower will depend on what type of repair you will need. But the average cost for repair would range anywhere from $55 to $100. And since Briggs and Stratton are more famous for their mowers, if you will have your B&S engine for repair, you can expect to pay such figures.
The given cost would only be the service for the repair; other expenses for possible replacement parts would vary. If you encounter any problem with your Briggs and Stratton engine while still under warranty, it would be better to claim it.
If you are not sure if your Briggs and Stratton is still under warranty, you may refer to your user's manual. We also would like to remind you that tampering with your B&G products while under warranty may void them. You may also refer to your manual or the nearest dealership for more details.
We also heavily advise being careful on attempting DIY repairs, especially if you lack the knowledge and skills as you may inflict more damage to your engine.
Having proper maintenance such as regularly checking engine oil level and changing it would go a long way. Engine oil helps your motor to operate smoothly and run efficiently. Oil can get contaminated over time as it circulates the engine; that is why it is important to keep track of its oil change schedule.
How can I tell what horsepower my Briggs and Stratton engine is?
To find the indicated gross horsepower or torque value of your Briggs and Stratton engine, check the motor itself. Look for the markings "HP" or "CC." The numbers next to those words would be the horsepower or displacement that your engine has.
These gross power ratings are labeled under SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code J1940 Small Engine Power & Torque Rating Procedure and are rated per SAE J1995. This goes for all individual gasoline engine models. These are your lawnmowers, small tractors, snow blowers, and other small equipment.
How do you replace Briggs and Stratton carburetor?
A full warning, Briggs and Stratton advises that you proceed with the utmost caution, especially since dealing with the carburetor could pose potential flammable hazards if not done properly. It is advised that you seek professional help for repair if you are not confident.
In this section, we will tell you a rough view of how to replace your B&S carburetor.
Remove carburetor
To remove the carburetor safely, you must disconnect the spark plug and other electric supplies to the engine. After that, the bolts holding it would be unscrewed.
Disassembling A-float carburetor
The carburetor will contain a small amount of fuel and must be clean for safety. The bolts and joints for each part of the carburetor body will be carefully removed for inspection.
Inspecting
In this phase, you will check components for signs of needing replacement. The parts will also be soaked in some carburetor cleaner.
Reassembling
This phase would be the longest as an improper assembly will not make the carburetor run.
Attaching back
In the final step of the process, the bolts holding the carburetor should be properly secured to hold it. Enjoy using it!
In conclusion
You can find out your B&G engine's age by looking at the number code etched to the engine. Here you can find out the exact day and assembly line your engine was made. Briggs and Stratton is one of the world leaders in making small gasoline engines as they boast more than a hundred years of legacy.
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