RE: briggs and stratton 17hp ohv valve adjustments Model no. 311777 type 0137-e1 code 980333020. It's a scotts model no.42502x8 code8105j 17hp b&s intek ohv What do u set the valve gaps to? Intake & exhaust? Which one is the top valve & whichis the bottom valve?

Read the posting in this thread by Walt Conner (walt2002). E-mail him at the address he provides (but you have to put it in the standard format as suggested by the "spoken" information he gives for his address). He prefers to do it this way because this allows him to click "Reply" and then "Copy & Paste" his instructions into the reply instead of having to write it from scratch each time someone needs to be tutored.

Trace out each plug wire leading from the coil to the spark plugs. Look for a worn or chafed spot on the wire where it may have been rubbing on a sharp edge. If the wire has been arcing onto a metal surface, it will usually cause a white, powdery looking spot on the rubber insulation where the arcing has been occurring. Be sure to use a bright light to aid in your inspection, the evidence you are looking for may be very faint. Generally speaking, if you do find a spot on the wire that has been rubbing as evidenced by damage to the insulation, the wire has been arcing to ground, even if you don't see any whitish stains.

Well you really should post the model number of the engine to insure we know what 17 hp B&S you have, there is more than one. Did you remove the spark plug to see if the engine was hydro-locked? Gas in cylinder? The solenoid valve will not prevent the carb from leaking gas into the cylinder and from there into the oil. You need to fix the carb float AND install an inline gas shutoff valve and use it when the engine is not running. I have detailed instruction on valve adjustment as well as compression release test and more IF you would like them. Address below, put in proper format and remind me along with model number. Walt Conner wconner5 at frontier dot com