Using a slow machine that gets stuck every now and then is really annoying. A lawnmower that has less power can get stuck in tall grass because of less power.
How to get more power from a Briggs and Stratton engine?
Tuning the engine to your liking can give an extra few horsepowers. First, take the flywheel housing off. Then take the governor flap off. It makes sure the carburetor will sit freely. Afterward, check if the muffler is in good condition. Make sure the air is flowing nicely through the intake.
All of these make the engine gain a few more extra horsepower. But there are more details to each step.
Check the whole process below!
The Process to Increase Power
We all want a beefy and powerful lawnmower. But big lawnmowers can break the bank sometimes. Some of them even cost thousands of dollars.
The process of increasing horsepower is different for every lawnmower. Also, functions such as bypassing the safety switch on john deere lawn mower will be different from Briggs and Stratton.
A better engine will cut the grass more smoothly and faster. Though there is no easy way to step up your lawnmower. Nor will it get a substantial gain of power. But tuning your engine will benefit you to some extent.
We have listed all the steps below which you need to follow.
Step 1: Separate the Flywheel Housing
You need access inside the engine to work on it. The engine sits inside of the flywheel housing. There are screws and bolts which are holding the housing.
Remove the screws and bolts with the proper wrench to get access. The screws and bolts must be located at the sides and on the top.
Step 2: Unscrew the Governor Flap
The governor flap is located under the flywheel housing. The governor flap doesn’t let the engine run at full speed. So removing it will give your engine more power.
Using the right kind of wrench is important. This makes sure the bolts will not strip out when you are tightening them. The below-listed wrenches have superior quality:
| Olympia Tools Adjustable Wrench | Made from tempered drop forged alloy steel |
| CRAFTSMAN Adjustable Wrench | It can resist corrosion |
Other than that, these wrenches have great grip. They’re easy to hold on to.
When the engine is running on too much throttle, the flap closes the carburetor. That decreases the speed of the engine. Which leads to loss of power.
The governor flap is attached to the engine with bolts and screws. So unscrew it with the right wrench to take it off. Afterward, take the spring hook off from the governor to the carburetor. Now, the lawn mower can even get rid of monkey grass.
When you are done with the governor flap, you can put the flywheel housing on.
Step 3: Check the Muffler
The muffler is a really important part that gives power to the engine. The muffler takes exhausted air from the engine to the out. So that engine can take in better oxygen to generate more power.
The muffler is supposed to have a seal with the exhaust pipe. This ensures no leakage in the process. Check if there is any crack or if the seal is broken. The gasket holds the muffler to the engine block. Check if the gasket is tight.
The muffler will be attached to the engine block. Also, there is supposed to be a gasket in between the muffler and the engine. Check if the gasket is in place.
If the muffler has a crack or break, you have to replace it. Though the good thing is mufflers are really cheap. Also, the installation process is really simple. You can find a new muffler for your lawn mower in the store or online.
Do purchase the right size of muffler. There are different kinds of mufflers for different engines. Using a different kind might make more noise.
Installing a new muffler is easy. Just take off the blots which are holding the muffler in place. Afterward, place the new muffler and tighten the screws.
Step 4: Use Better Gasoline
The better the quality gas you use, the better the power is. Usually, people use 87 octane as it’s cheaper. But 92 octane burns better and produces much more power.
Also, using a good spark plug will ensure better engine life. Spark plug is the part which interacts with the fuel and makes the engine go. Test the ignition coil with a multimeter to see if the spark plug is okay.
Never mix both of the fuels. It can damage the engine permanently. You can use better quality gas when you need that extra power. And use the cheaper variant when you don’t.
Step 5: Increase Air Flow
Engines need oxygen like you do. The oxygen is compressed with gas and the bursts produce the power. So the better the airflow is the better the performance.
To increase airflow in the engine, clean out the air filter or the air intake. Oftentimes the air filter has collected dust and prevents air from flowing inside. Replacing the air filter every now and then is a good decision.
Other than air filters, clean the air intake if there is any grass stuck in front of it. Any obstacle which prevents the air from flowing inside will decrease the airflow.
Again, the better the airflow, the better the performance. Clean the air filter every month and replace the air filter after 2 or 3 months.
That’s everything you can do to increase the airflow of your lawnmower engine.
FAQs
Questions: Can I use diesel in the octane engine?
Answers: No, using diesel in an octane engine can ruin the engine. Though diesel engines have more power, this isn’t an option.
Question: Does better engine oil give better performance?
Answer: Better engine oil does give you better performance. Use the best engine oil for your engine to get the best result.
Question: How frequently should I change the Engine oil?
Answer: Changing the engine oil every 3 months is good. But if you use the machine heavily. Changing it every month can give you better performance.
Endnote
That’s everything you need to know about how to get more power from a Briggs and Stratton engine.
End of the day, using a better lawn mower will perform better. But tuning any engine will give you an extra performance boost.
Happy lawn mowing!