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I've a one year old Simplicity Courier with this engine. When the weather's above 50 degrees it starts easily. Once below that it won't unless cranked for minutes at a time. Obviously the "ReadyStart" feature doesn't. I can't get any information on what to look at or adjust from either B&S or Simplicity other than "take it to a warranty center", and that's not an option. Other than replacing the whole engine with something else, what can I do? Any ideas?

You don't need a new engine.
Give us the model number so we can help you best.
This link will help you locate it https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/briggs-stratton-model-locator.aspx

Has it done this since new?

Has done this since new. Purchased in Nov. last year, but only tried running it a few times before putting it away for the winter. Always had difficulties starting in cold weather. We're listing our home in Feb. so I've been trying to keep leaves & stuff cleaned up (have a Swisher lawn vac). I've started taking the air cleaner cover off and putting a squirt of fuel on the cleaner itself. After putting the cover back on it'll start within a second. I'm positive the ReadyStart ins not closing the choke correctly and am not interested in having to haul it off to a dealer, especially my closest one (I've very bad history with them!). This should be something simple to fix.

Scrubcadet10 said:

Give us the model number so we can help you best.
This link will help you locate it https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/briggs-stratton-model-locator.aspx

Click to expand...

Help us help you

Check the valve lash.

There isn't a "model number" on the engine tag. It has "Engine Family: HBSXS.7242VE" Manufactured in 2017.

Photos of tags, including the mower's.

Gee . . . been a week and no responses. Don't tell me I've stumped everyone!

Most likely the model number that we are waiting on may be located on the valve cover opposite the one with the fuel pump.

There's an 800 number on one of those tags. Call them and ask where to find the model number.

Sure looks grubby and rusty for no older than it is.

That's the number for Simplicity (owned by B&S, but not the maker of the engine). It's called dust and dirt & not rust. I just don't wash & wax it enough . .

Tried calling the number and can't get through. Will look at the valve covers,

OK, there are no numbers on the valve covers nor stickers nearby (unless on the bottom side of them?). Here are photos from all angles. By the by, the dust shows up strongly because I'm using flash. It IS dusty, but looks worse in these than in real life.

Here's the parts manual from B&S and it says nada about any model.

On a whim, I used my phone to read the code on that one label, which led me to a B&S website AND said that the model number is: 44U777-0003-G1! Does anyone have an idea as to why they did it this way???? Anyway, that's the model number.

The model, type, and code numbers are stamped into the left valve cover. It is visible in two of your pictures, but can't read it. Didn't find any reference to the ready start in the corresponding service manual for your engine though.

44U777-0003-G1

Has thermostat choke system instead of a fully manually operated choke. Choke is still partially controlled by the control bracket. This set is reference on page 4/5 of the IPL along the control assembly and link on page 16/17.

BTW ILENGINE if you are a Briggs MST you should have access to the Power Portal which you could have easily found out the model number using the serial number. Also you won't find any thing on the Ready Start in the service because Briggs has failed to update their service manuals with this info. Otherwords the techs are let to figure this out ourselves.

waltben said:

Gee . . . been a week and no responses. Don't tell me I've stumped everyone!

Click to expand...

No I am not stumped
It has also been a week since I asked you to check the valve lash.
When you come back with the answer to that then I will post a reply

AVB said:

waltben Most likely all you got to do is adjust the throttle cable at the control assembly. Put the throttle in the choke position. loosen the cable at the control assembly and either pull or push depending switch setup you have until the choke is fully closed.

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I agree. Looked at the owners manual for the engine and it states for starting below 32 degrees move the combination choke throttle control to the choke position. Cable needs adjusted so the choke will close.

AVB said:

44U777-0003-G1

Has thermostat choke system instead of a fully manually operated choke. Choke is still partially controlled by the control bracket. This set is reference on page 4/5 of the IPL along the control assembly and link on page 16/17.

BTW ILENGINE if you are a Briggs MST you should have access to the Power Portal which you could have easily found out the model number using the serial number. Also you won't find any thing on the Ready Start in the service because Briggs has failed to update their service manuals with this info. Otherwords the techs are let to figure this out ourselves.

Click to expand...

I could of pulled the model number from the serial number It was just as easy for the OP to get it off of the valve cover also. And I prefer to used the interactive parts diagrams instead of the generic PDF that is included with the model/serial number lookup. So then I have to go to a separate site to use their diagrams.

Those of you saying to move the throttle to the choke position should know this thing has no such position. Either full fast or nothing.

waltben said:

On a whim, I used my phone to read the code on that one label, which led me to a B&S website AND said that the model number is: 44U777-0003-G1! Does anyone have an idea as to why they did it this way???? Anyway, that's the model number.

Click to expand...

Because those under 40 can not so much as fart unless there is an app on their phones to tell them when to do it.
The numbers you needed were quite clearly etched into the rocker cover as others have already mentioned.
From memory if you scan the QR code you then can get the parts manual downloaded into your phone.
So those under 30 who have a concentration span of 5 milli seconds can find out the numbers before they get bored & go buy a Honda.

AVB said:

44U777-0003-G1

Has thermostat choke system instead of a fully manually operated choke. Choke is still partially controlled by the control bracket. This set is reference on page 4/5 of the IPL along the control assembly and link on page 16/17.

BTW ILENGINE if you are a Briggs MST you should have access to the Power Portal which you could have easily found out the model number using the serial number. Also you won't find any thing on the Ready Start in the service because Briggs has failed to update their service manuals with this info. Otherwords the techs are let to figure this out ourselves.

Click to expand...

Interesting. I was only given the Simplicity manuals (chassis and deck, no engine stuff) and the parts breakdown above. Nothing on the engine. The website the 2D code took me to had the operator's manual that has this:

ReadyStart® System
1. Check the engine oil. See the Check Oil Level section.
2. Make sure equipment drive controls, if equipped, are disengaged.
3. Move the fuel shut-off (A, Figure 5), if equipped, to the OPEN position.
4. Move the throttle control (B, Figure 5), if equipped, to the FAST position. Operate
the engine in the FAST position.
Note: For starting in cold weather temperatures (below 32° F), move the combination choke
and throttle lever (B C, Figure 5) to the CLOSED position.
5. Turn the electric start switch (D, Figure 5) to the ON or START position or push
button (E).

There is nothing on my mower but the single throttle, so I've no clue what that note means (pic attached).

ILENGINE, you were right and I just didn't make it out.

Poking around the carb, I did find what I believe to be the choke bell crank. It seemed to be stuck in one position, but when I nudged it, it rotated to another. I'll try starting it later this PM and see what happens.

Here's the manual

This is the bell crank I mentioned earlier, behind the float bowl. Just tried starting after pushing this thing upward, and it took off right away. The arm fell back down to where it is in this picture though. After stopping the engine it stayed down (even though it hadn't run long enough to warm up. It's almost like something's not hooked up right. Is the part just to the left of the arm the thermostat?

I think it is hooked up correctly but something may be binding causing the choke to stick in the open position. There is also an air vane next to the flywheel that opens the choke after the engine starts. the thermostat holds the choke open for warm restarts. So if you find what is sticking the choke open then you will have your problem solved.

Final question - is the choke supposed to be spring loaded to the closed or up position when the engine is not running and cold? If so, that's my problem as it is down and open, and not really stuck there.

With having an air vane and thermostat I would assume the choke return spring would closing it in the non running position with cold and up against the thermostat arm when warm or hot.

When cold the choke return spring should hold the choke in the closed position. When the engine starts the air vane next to the flywheel uses air flow to open the choke. As the engine warms up the thermostat will move to hold the choke open when the engine is warm for warm no choke restarts.