Briggs Vanguard with hole in case:(

[lendaddy]

I have a 7,000 watt generator powered by a Briggs Vanguard 14HP V-Twin. Last time I used it, it started puking oil out one side so I shut it off and took it to work the next morning to inspect. Long story short I forgot about it and dug it out this A.M. (power out) around 2:00 A.M. thinking loose filter or plug or whatever.

Not so much, a nice hole in the case about half the size of a dime with a crack maybe 3" long. The motor ran fine and sounded good, just puked oil out the side (very little of course as it has low oil protection and it still reads on the stick).

So what do I do? Pitch the thing or try to fix it? I assume a rod bolt/nut came loose and one is holding the business together.

[Joeaksa]

Question is, what is the cost of the puppy? I had a friend with a 10 hp unit and he found someone to overhaul the thing. Cost was a lot less than buying a new one and his was low time, so he went with it.

Has yours been used much? If not would look into it, otherwise prices on new ones with a warranty might be close. Also, if you buy a new one, buy it with a AmEx card as they double the warranty for free on many things. Have used mine several times and they stand behind it.

Joe A

[kach22i]

JB Weld................they claim it's used for that kind of thing all the time.

[RickM]

If out of warranty I'd look for a replacement case or engine (Vanguard or not) on Ebay. Definitely cheaper than a new generator.

Also, since it seems that you'll be disassembling the bottom end you might have the case welded while looking for the cause.

[dhoward]

2nd the JB weld. Fixed several dirtbike cases with it.

[lendaddy]

Power came back on, so I have time to dick with it it. Jb here I come

[dhoward]

Cleaning the wound is the most important part.
Scrub and degrease. Mix according to the instructions and let it fully cure.
You'll never look at it again...

[lendaddy]

The hole doesn't bother me as much as what I may find inside

[kach22i]

Do I need to release a full JB weld disclosure when selling my 911.

Just kidding.

I did use JB Weld on the Seine Shift Kit, still holding strong (fingers crossed).

[dhoward]

Originally posted by lendaddy
The hole doesn't bother me as much as what I may find inside

Depends.
Did the 'hole' come out or go in?
Big difference.

[lendaddy]

Here are some pics

[dhoward]

Looks like the hole came "out".
Sorry.
These things aren't that hard to fix though.
Looks like you'll have to tear it down to see what came loose.
May as well have the case welded, or, get a price on a replacement.
I'm sure a 7Kw isn't cheap...

[kach22i]

Looks like an outtie to me too.

[lendaddy]

The funny thing is that it ran great with no banging or grinding or crunching, just weird!

[RickM]

Originally posted by dhoward
Looks like the hole came "out".
Sorry.
These things aren't that hard to fix though.
Looks like you'll have to tear it down to see what came loose.
May as well have the case welded, or, get a price on a replacement.
I'm sure a 7Kw isn't cheap...

Is there an echo in here?

[dhoward]

Originally posted by RickM
Is there an echo in here?

Here... here...here...
yup.

[gaijindabe]

I want to see the innards of this thing.... something was bouncing around in there.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by gaijindabe
I want to see the innards of this thing.... something was bouncing around in there.

LOL... I hear ya, but it ran sweet and quiet I swear.

[gr8fl4porsche]

They always run great right before they blow up.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by gr8fl4porsche
They always run great right before they blow up.

To clarify, the running great was POST hole in case.