motor has lost the ability to start easily. have to use starter fluid and then cross my fingers, if it starts it lacks power seems to lack compression, little or no resistance on pull cord. hissing sound when pulling cord.got any ideas
+1 on the head bolts. I have had several Briggs with loose or missing head bolts over the years. I just tightened/replaced and the motor kept on running.
Intek! Blown head gaskets are a very common problem with them. Tear it down and replace it. Take digital pictures at each stage of disassembly. See You Tube for valve adjustment video when you get to that part of reassembly. It's much easier than it looks to fix yourself. If the gasket is blown at the top, you're killing your coil by running it. The heated air coming from the leak will fry it. Have fun!