Compression release temporary solution Intek 17.5

I've got a fairly old John Deere mower with the 17.5 hp Intek engine. I know the compression release cam is gone but I just don't have the time or energy to take it apart and do a proper repair. I've been coping with compression lock up by manually turning the engine just past the compression point and this normally gives the starter enough relief to turn over and gets her going. Normally the head gasket fails every two years anyway which gives me temporary relief from the starting issue until the oil consumption and smoke drives me to do a head gasket/spark plug change.

This time when I changed the head gasket my manual turning the engine over trick stopped working. Just too much compression or maybe it's my 70 year old arthritic hands, but it just stopped working.

In an act of desperation I tried something new. I know I'm going to get a lot of criticism but it's easy and it works. It goes against all ideas on good engineering and proper maintenance procedures but if it helps someone get another season out of your old locked up Briggs and Stratton mower give it a try.

Loosen the spark plug. Tighten it finger tight by the porcelain. The reduced compression works miracles and it doesn't seem to reduce power at all.

Can't understand why these engines need such high compression that they need compression release just to turn them over.

Good luck.

Gary

Hi Roy, hope you’re doing well. Send me some Canadian air, :)