Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower Repair: Common Issues and Cost to Fix Them

When buying a lawn mower, you want a machine that does not shy away from the tough tasks. For over 110 years, Briggs and Stratton has provided the world with some of the most reliable mower engines. The company has made a name for producing innovative, reliable, easy-to-maintain mower engines. With Briggs and Stratton lawn mowers, the thickness or height of the grass does not matter.

The Best Features of Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mowers

Briggs and Stratton lawn mowers are easy-to-use, and the engines combine plenty of power and innovations to make your mowing experience easy. The following are the best of their features.

1) Easy Starting Options

Briggs and Stratton lawn mowers come with four starting options as follows.

• InStart: Electric Start

The Briggs and Stratton InStart technology replaces the traditional way of starting lawn mowers. This means you will not need to pull a cord to start mowing. You can start your lawn mower by pushing a button or turning a key. Briggs and Stratton offers the best-in-class lithium-ion battery built to provide you with a class-leading InStart experience.

• ReadyStart

The Briggs and Stratton ReadyStart system sets new standards for rope starting. The system automatically senses the temperature of your engine and delivers the right amount of fuel the carburetor requires to start the engine. The ReadyStart system eliminates the need to prime or choke the engine before pulling the cord. Briggs and Stratton guarantee its buyers that their ReadyStart mowers start at the second pull latest.

• Prime & Pull

The Briggs and Stratton Prime and Pull starting method provides for faster starting of your lawn mower without lifting the choke. What you have to do is prime the engine and pull the starting cord.

Briggs and Stratton mowers with the Prime and Pull starting system deliver reliable mowing power irrespective of the condition of the grass. Your mower will not break down even if the grass is wet and extremely high.

• Automotive-Style Starting

The Briggs and Stratton automotive-style starting allows you to start your mower like a car. The system comes with an electric starter that works at any temperature.

2) Mow N'Stow

Another excellent feature of the Briggs and Stratton mowers is the Mow N'Stow technology. Do you have limited storage space? The Mow N'Stow makes your Briggs and Stratton mowers easy to store and clean. It helps you save up to 70 percent of space in your garage or shed without causing any damage to the engine.

The Mow N'Stow technology features a quick handle release, an advanced design in the engine, and easy access to the blade for easy cleaning. It is a revolutionary technology that makes Briggs and Stratton your choicest lawn mowers.

3) Anti-Vibration System/ Quieter Operation

Briggs and Stratton lawn mowers feature an anti-vibration system with a patented Linear Balancing System. The system effectively removes the side-to-side motion and keeps your mower going straight. The linear balancing system provides a comfortable mowing experience while minimizing the wear and tear of engine parts.

The company also offers engines with advanced muffler technology that reduces engine and exhaust noises. This provides for a much smooth and comfortable mowing experience.

4) Easy Maintenance/ No Oil Changes

Briggs and Stratton lawn mowers feature a "check and add" technology that allows you just check oil levels and top up when needed. You will never have to replace old oil with fresh one. This makes the Briggs and Stratton mowers some of the easiest-to-maintain mowers on the market. Even better, you do not need complicated equipment to maintain your Briggs and Stratton lawn mower.

Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower Common problems

Although Briggs and Stratton builds some of the best mower engines, the brand has a few common problems. If you own or plan to purchase a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower, watch out for the following issues.    

1) Engine Starts but Won't Stay Running

You are about to get to work but realize that your mower starts but will not stay running. What causes your engine to die off as soon as it starts?

The primary cause of this problem is a dirty or blocked carburetor. You may also have a dirty air filter, damaged spark plugs, or poor-quality fuel. If you try it a few times, take a break to diagnose your machine. Check for all possible causes of the issue before fixing or involving a mechanic to fix the lawn mower.

2) The Engine has Spark, but it Won't Start

A few factors determine whether your Briggs and Stratton lawn mower starts and runs. These include fuel, fuel delivery system, air, and the ignition system. If your mower creates the Spark but does not start the engine, you could have a problem with fuel, air, or the ignition system.

If any of these factors is wrong, ignition will not take place, and your engine will not start. If the air filter clogs, there will not be enough air to facilitate fuel ignition, and the engine will not start.  

3) The Engine Won't Start When it is Hot.

While it aggravates when your Briggs and Stratton lawn mower refuses to start or experiences hard starts, it is more disappointing when it starts, runs a while, and stops mid-mowing. This is not the main issue; the problem is that the mower may refuse to restart until the engine cools down.

Many Briggs and Stratton small-engine mowers tend to die mid-mowing and fail to start when hot. This is a problem you can fix at home if you know where to look. A small engine generates a lot of heat when working. If the engine has no way of getting rid of that heat, it goes off and may refuse to restart until it cools down. When it cools, you can restart it, but it will probably shut down again.

Your lawn mower has some cooling fins, which can fail when grass and debris clog them. The blockage acts like a blanket that holds the heat too close to the engine, causing it to overheat and stop running. The plastic covering on top of the lawn mower also collects dirt.

When your engine cools down, clean these areas. Unclogging the cooling fins ensures you will not experience the same issue after a few minutes. Your mower can also shut down amid mowing and refuse to start because of faulty components such as the carburetor, ignition system, compression problems, and air leaks.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower?

On average, you should pay between $80 and $100 to repair a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower. However, the ultimate cost depends on the extent of the damage. The price range increases with new parts and hours of repair.

If your lawn mower shows signs of damage, such as churning smoke, you should consult a specialist immediately. It costs $80 to $100 to fix your problematic mower. On the lowest end, the price ranges between $45 and $75. If it has severe damages, you will pay $125 to $250 for the repairs. On an hourly rate, the prices range from $45 to $100, with an average of $55.

Repair Price List

As with other repair shops for automotive equipment, some lawn mower repair shops offer standard rates for common problems. For instance, a specialist can charge $50 for carburetor cleaning and $40 for replacement.

Quoting for larger components requires the specialist to diagnose the machine and determine the problem. These include replacing a dead engine or a damaged transmission. The repair cost for such issues requires your technician to diagnose the issue before quoting a price.

Most lawn mower repair shops also fix other machines with small engines, such as speedboats and ATVS. According to most of these repair shops, the common problems plaguing lawn mowers are dirty carburetors, clogged air filters, and blunt blades.

The type and brand of your lawn mower also determine how much a technician charges to fix it. If a repair shop is familiar with your brand, repairing it takes less time, hence costing less. As such, you should always use Briggs and Stratton lawn mower certified technicians when your mower develops any problem.

Using certified repair shops means you get original equipment fast. It also means you can use your warranty to fix your mower.

How to Get the Right Technician to Repair Your Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower?

• The first step to finding the right technician for your mower is checking online and reading reviews. This helps you to gauge the quality of work they offer.
• Next is to get a free quotation for repairing your mower. Ask for the total repair cost before committing to the repair, especially if your machine has severe issues. Some repair costs could exceed the price of a new lawn mower, so you should donate the old lady for parts and buy a new one.
• Ask for discounts, especially if you are a senior or a veteran. Some repair shops offer these kinds of deals.