Why do they say to avoid single cyl, 17-20HP engines

[RazorsEdge]

Love my 17.5 B&S, zero problems. The single cylinders are known for good torque and fuel efficient. Just don't forget the hearing protection...

I've got a 2012 Craftsman with the 17.5hp engine. No issues with anything and engine doesn't use any oil using 5w30 Royal Purple HPS.

 

[Eddie]

Typo--NO ISSUES

 

[Silverado12]

My theory with the single cyl Intek motors is you have to do your valve lash adjustments; at least do the first one. I did my first adjustment after the mower was a couple years old (2018 17.5 HP in an MTD made Troy Bilt Pony). It was off a good bit but I just did the second adjustment and it was right on. I use Briggs 30 oil like the book suggests and change once a year with a new air filter. No problems yet but knocking on wood LOL.

 

[ford46guy]

Valve adjustments, head gaskets, compression releases...meanwhile the Opposed just go. Change the oil every 25-30 hours and keep it clean. Seems like a huge regression.

Headgasket on an opposed will outlast the operator.

 

[jeepman3071]

The B&S Inteks are just a cheaply designed engine. Not saying they all have problems, I service several a year that have hundreds of hours on them with no issues, but there are well known design flaws that plague them. Similar to how I know a few people that have never had the cylinder heads off their 6.0L PowerStroke diesels, but the potential for wallet draining is still present.

 

[jeepman3071]

Valve adjustments, head gaskets, compression releases...meanwhile the Opposed just go. Change the oil every 25-30 hours and keep it clean. Seems like a huge regression.

Headgasket on an opposed will outlast the operator.

The opposed twins are good engines, just thirsty and quite loud.

 

[Exhaustgases]

So much room for improvement on all small engines, and at the now price point they should make the improvements.

 

[thetricky]

My dad fixes and flips riding mowers on a regular basis and he just recently stopped messing with any single cylinder. Seems if someone put too heavy a load on them for too long that they were always coming back to him.

I personally had a big kohler single grenade on my go-kart. Counter balancer launched itself out the case and right across the road! Good times.