OEM Briggs $60 replacement the carb same as $15 ebay/amazon?

[kctyphoon]

So i may have just bought an expensive Briggs and Stratton BOX..

For anyone interested - i just got the replacement “genuine”, “keep it original, keep it running” Briggs carb - model 798654

I purposely spent the money to get the OEM from an ebay seller. (I already know what your thinking)

Im willing to bet just about anything - that the OEM $60 Briggs - is the exact same “no name” carb sold on ebay and amazon for $15.

Difference being - mine came in a B&S box, with the little pieces sealed in a B&S bag

And the others likely come in a box & bag without the logos printed on it..


I already know what people will say - why didnt you just rebuild it.. and my answer will be - why would you even buy a rebuild kit if you get the same carb as you would from B&S for $15 shipped.. $12.99 in one listing..

I spend plenty of money on nonsense - but even i may be sending this thing back.

Gonna post links in a sec..

Ok - cheapest carb - i was wrong.. $11.89 SHIPPED
798654 Carburetor Tune Up Parts Kit for Briggs and Stratton 792970 Lawn Mower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3WXGTR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For $17.99 - you can even get fuel line, clamps, shut off valve, and filters - WITH the carb.. lol
Honeyrain 798654 792970 Carburetor Kit with Air Filter Fuel Line for Briggs & Stratton Most 150000 Model Engines https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QKHRFVV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Now here’s the (currently unavailable) listing on amazon, for the OEM Briggs carb.. EVERY PIECE is identical..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005F6S2CW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The cheapest OEM listing on ebay - $67 w/shipping..

Only difference between any of them - it would seem - is a part# printed on one of the flanges, and what resembles a Briggs logo shape in the casting (and I’m being generous) on one side of the carb..

I seriously may order the $11 one just to hold em side by side.. if i wasnt clear, I’m holding the brand new OEM one in my hand as I’m looking at the others online.

 

[M6erfan]

I've used several china carbs for outdoor equipment. They seem fine. They're so cheap, if a carb needs more than a good cleaning it gets replaced.

 

[bulletpruf]

I just did the same thing. I picked up a non-running 2 year old Troy Bilt riding lawnmower for free.

I ended up replacing the wiring harness, but turns out, I really just needed to fix a few of the ignition stop switches (or whatever they're called) that were on the shift lever and the discharge chute.

And then it ran, but only on choke. Disassembly and cleaning the carb didn't do any good, so I bit the bullet and bought an OEM Nikki carb. Cost $80 or something like that. But now it runs great, so no complaints here.

Bottom line - I have about $150 invested in a very nice 2 year old riding mower. Getting it for free makes me feel better about spending $ on the harness and the carb.

 

[kctyphoon]

Look at the $11 one, and compare to this



This logo is the only difference,


Note the ****** white foam washer under the throttle bracket


My point here being - that china isnt making cheap copies of the OEM model. Its that the cheap Chinese ones - ARE the OEM model.

 

[Tallpilot]

I've used several china carbs for outdoor equipment. They seem fine. They're so cheap, if a carb needs more than a good cleaning it gets replaced.

Could well be these are 4th shift out of the same plant. I agree they are so cheap just buy them by the dozen and replace them anytime you have a running issue.

 

[DFB]

China carbs today are viable replacements for A LOT less money. We use them on various different pieces of equipment at the motorcycle shop like chinese go carts and atv's and I also replaced my Sthil weedwacker with one

 

[sdeeter19555]

I ordered one for a B&S, cheapest one I could find on Amazon; and it worked fine. Just got to make sure the numbers match...

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[kctyphoon]

Return started.. even i cant swallow this one.. I’m telling ya - they are the same damn things, one is just in Briggs packaging.

$12 shipped vs $71.. no..

Like $5 for the return, I’m gonna order the one with the fuel line kit and filters for $18.. and still be way ahead and have the identical product.. needed a filter anyway.

For the record last week i just paid $5 for a diaphragm kit, and $5 for needle kit for a tucumseh carb for my edger thats from the 80’s i think. So if you have a newer B&S motor you can get the OEM carb for $12.. the OEM is made in china too. What a coincidence..

What’s funny too, is i remember buying another OEM Briggs carb a few years ago. And i remember comparing the “new” OEM to the original i took off - and saying damn this new one is so much shittier than the original. No adjustments, like half the weight - but that one only cost me like $25 or $30 i think.. and i remember now, making the same point - of why even invest the time to rebuild... but now - looking closer at what i got from Briggs for this model, and what’s EVERYWHERE online for pennies on the dollar - and seeing its the exact same item. So your extra $$ literally just gets you a Briggs box and “this paper was printed in the USA” inside, with the exact same product..

What a scam..

I figured I’d show my expensive pressure washer some love, and just go with the only OEM model around. Didn’t wanna mess with another rebuild - already have parts coming for the edger’s carb, boxes piling up for a bunch of other little projects i gotta do and catch up on the neglect.

 

[ken w.]

I've been using the Chinese carbs for a few years now. I would say 2-3 out of 20 are bad. I can live with that for the price difference. I don't rebuild many carbs anymore. Some are so gummed up from ethanol that no matter how long you soak them in carb cleaner , it just wont run well. I think some of the reason is that the carb cleaner w / basket is not the same as we used 20 years ago. It's " safe " cleaner which just means it doesn't work well.

 

[retDAC]

Ladyfriend of mine was given a 5 year old Troybilt riding mower w/B&S 13.5? HP engine last year. I think her other friend simply buys a new one every 4-5 years and does nothing to them in between.
Anyhow, after new blades, air filter and prefilter, and it's first oil change, it ran fine a few times. Then she got a crankcase full of gas. Common with these gravity fed Nikki carbs which are similar to the OP's, though a different model.
A kit did not fix that problem and I can't see why. Read that is a common occurrence so I got a new ChiCom knockoff. It fits well an looks identical at a glance, but side by side with the old one, there are some small differences which indicate a different manufacturer.
New carb doesn't leak, but it wouldn't idle properly: severe surging. Adjusting idle mixture screw did nothing. Checked for vacuum leaks and seemed to find one, but torquing the mounting nuts didn't make much difference though spraying carb cleaner indicated no more leak.
Finally took a piece of wire and checked the passages. The ones for the idle circuit? from the air intake side and fuel (bowl) side were not drilled through. Bushings seemed okay though. I might have drilled the fuel side, but I can't drill the intake side.
I had selected a seller whose ad stated for factory defect: lifetime warranty. Took an extra message to convince them this carb is bad. They finally told me to order and pay for another one, then they will reverse the charge on the newer one. Am now waiting for the newer one. Hope it's good and they reverse charge, and I can give them a good rating. We'll see.
Point is they're no't exactly the same. If one works well, it doesn't matter and you save money. If it doesn't work well ...
When researching these carbs, some don't even have idle mixture screws so watch out for that. Also warranties/returns vary widely, so you might want to consider that too.

 

[Mr_B]

they copy castings of originals with logo removed.
Okay for cheap prices but quality of small assembly parts used make up the finished item not as good as proper oem .

 

[The Cobbler]

I put a chinacom carb on a tecumseh snow blower a few years ago. I was amazed that everything lined up,and even more amazed that it started & ran (nice) without even touching the adjustments. that was my first chinese carb shindig .

 

[brooktre]

Good to hear that at least some of the cheap carbs work. I was shopping for one for a mid 60s Troy Bilt tiller and they were less than $15, but I didn’t buy it because I figured it was too good to be true. The tiller runs and then dies about 5 times before it will run til the job is done. I’ve cleaned it and replaced some parts, but it’s just worn. Since I only use the tiller twice a year I just live with the issue. I’ve been skeptical of these cheap carbs but may try one.

 

[Zewnten]

Or you can end up like a previous customer and all you get is the casting; not milled, ported or even finished, poor guy.

 

[ken w.]

Most of the bad ones seem to have surge problems or not adjustable. The needle & seat area were not machined well. Things of this nature.

 

[Farmall450]

They're close, but not the same. Pretty rare to get a bad OEM one out of the box...not so much on the china clones. Shoddy quality control and machine work, I wouldn't doubt factory seconds, etc.

 

[snooter]

Yes exactly the same....newer briggs engines use chibese carbs....i spent 12bux for a new chibese carb for our tiller...exact fit...tiller runs like new....stihl weed eaters the same..chibese carbs...only difference is the hose fittings are oem to stihl...cost me 8bux to fix my stihl weed eater...runs like new

Whats common denominator to blowing up carbs....ETHANOL GAS....DONT use that **** in these small engines...its a death sentence....buy non enthanol gas

 

[Skin]

Return started.. even i cant swallow this one.. I’m telling ya - they are the same damn things, one is just in Briggs packaging.

$12 shipped vs $71.. no..

They aren't identical. Handled a lot of both. Most common differences are messy castings, poorly cleaned prior to assembly (metal particals inside), and anodized steel used where brass is on OE. They usually use pot metal steel bowls instead of aluminum as well.

A lot of times they'll make Ruixing needles and floats work in them too since the insides (float, needle, seat, gasket) are US made still.

To put it in a language you may understand better, its like saying the black box knock-off Milwaukee batteries are exactly the same as the real ones because they fit and the shell is the same shape.

 

[Citation]

As others have said it's possible that some are clones. It's also possible these are largely OEM carbs (major castings at least) that are run as "second shift" parts or some other gray market entry into the market. I wouldn't assume it's simple greed on B&S's part that explains the price difference (though OEM part markup may be some of it). It's also possible that the source for that part is either getting the parts at below cost bu using OEM tooling "after hours" or something similar.

Don't get me wrong, I would likely buy the Chinese part if it were my money but it's possible the Chinese part is that cheap because someone else is, indirectly, picking up part of the bill.

 

[kctyphoon]

Wound up buying another of ebay. $25 with air filters, fuel filter, and spark plug (that i dont care about).

The amazon one i picked had a shipping window of almost a month. Ebay one guaranteed Monday. Extra $10 over another amazon one with just the carb and fast shipping.

I could ******** care less is the casting outside has a couple rough edges.. I promise you, the OEM one i have right now is no work of art. If you think this thing is in any way on par with what came equipped with the motor when new, its not.

 

[kctyphoon]

I think the cheapest BULK price I saw on Alibaba or a similar site was $8 a unit...

 

[6PTsocket]

Wound up buying another of ebay. $25 with air filters, fuel filter, and spark plug (that i dont care about).

The amazon one i picked had a shipping window of almost a month. Ebay one guaranteed Monday. Extra $10 over another amazon one with just the carb and fast shipping.

I could ******** care less is the casting outside has a couple rough edges.. I promise you, the OEM one i have right now is no work of art. If you think this thing is in any way on par with what came equipped with the motor when new, its not.

When you buy "genuine OEM" on ebay or from a 3rd party seller on Amazon, isn't it possible it is a forgery? For the difference in price there is a strong incentive to fake a little packaging. There is plenty of other stuff that is fake on ebay. On a recent thread somebody had a fake ebay Mitutoyo dial indicator with totally different guts from the original. They fake smart phone electronics and batteries all the time. It is a **** shoot with the quality of knock offs. Who knows who makes or subcontracts what in China. I have an old Hyundai that has eaten a couple of neutral safety switches. The last one was another brand and this last one is Hyundai and you can't tell them apart. Probably out of the same Korean factory.

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[Farmall450]

To put it in a language you may understand better, its like saying the black box knock-off Milwaukee batteries are exactly the same as the real ones because they fit and the shell is the same shape.

 

[kctyphoon]

When you buy "genuine OEM" on ebay or from a 3rd party seller on Amazon, isn't it possible it is a forgery? For the difference in price there is a strong incentive to fake a little packaging. There is plenty of other stuff that is fake on ebay. On a recent thread somebody had a fake ebay Mitutoyo dial indicator with totally different guts from the original. They fake smart phone electronics and batteries all the time. It is a **** shoot with the quality of knock offs. Who knows who makes or subcontracts what in China. I have an old Hyundai that has eaten a couple of neutral safety switches. The last one was another brand and this last one is Hyundai and you can't tell them apart. Probably out of the same Korean factory.

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So they took the time and money to fake the box, the parts number sticker on the box, the paperwork inside, the plastic bag with all the logos on it, the dot printing on the flange, and the same casting marks, for a replacement model different than the original equipment.

Seems like alot of extra effort than just putting one without all that, in a counterfeit box - and undercutting the OEM price..

I mean, this isnt exactly a set of BEATS headphones. -

If Briggs was selling the original models with all the adjustments, I'd say yeah - but they aren't. They sell "replacement" models made in China.

 

[Handyandy23]

They aren't identical. Handled a lot of both. Most common differences are messy castings, poorly cleaned prior to assembly (metal particals inside), and anodized steel used where brass is on OE. They usually use pot metal steel bowls instead of aluminum as well.

A lot of times they'll make Ruixing needles and floats work in them too since the insides (float, needle, seat, gasket) are US made still.

To put it in a language you may understand better, its like saying the black box knock-off Milwaukee batteries are exactly the same as the real ones because they fit and the shell is the same shape.

^This!

Not saying a Chinese knock off won't work, or that it's not a better deal. But how can you look at pics of the outside of the casting and say they're the same?? I was expecting some side by side comparison breaking them down part by part.

Reminds me of my wife pulling on the door handle of someone else's truck in the parking lot because "all black trucks are the same".

 

[ken w.]

I don't think any of these carbs are seconds. They are just cheap Chinese clones. You get what you get.

 

[Davefr]

I'm convinced a lot of small engine carbs come from the same manufacturer in China. Some get labeled with the OEM's name and others get sold as generic carbs.

Sometimes there's even a benefit buying generic because they often are non EPA carbs with full adjustment potential.

 

[joey1320]

How is this even a discussion?

It's all made in the same plant. Guaran-freaking-teed!!!

 

[kctyphoon]

So explain to me what parts are where - the counterfeit “clone” carbs cheaped out? They cloned a screw? A rivet? Oh - the plastic float and pin? The “under a penny cost” Jet?

The casting is the most expensive part on that thing. If the OEM, “semi universal” “REPLACEMENT KIT” carb, (which is made to fit multiple applications because they dont make the “same” “original” carb anymore) - which is half the weight of the original, comes with no adjustments in it like the original - and is in fact - a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CARB then what was originally provided on that engine when it was new, TELL me what “EVEN CHEAPER” parts are gonna be inside the “unbranded” Chinese knock off?

The casting layouts are identical. (With the exception of the poor excuse for a logo, and dot printing on the flange of the “OEM”). Neither the OEM replacement or the “knock off” have any adjustments on it. Both include the same exact accessory parts package. (Gonna tell me the 2 plastic pieces, and tiny pieces of metal for the choke plates are “of different qualities” between the two? The FOAM gaskets perhaps?) so where are the mysterious titanium parts inside the OEM of such high value that it commands a 400% price increase?

OR - is it more likely - that price increase is to cover the logo printed on the box, a logo printed parts bag, the “printed in the USA” paper inside the box, company advertising, the workers at the company, and still turn a worthwhile profit - AND - the physical product inside the box, is the same $12 and $18 “unbranded” carb that came straight out of china - the same place making the OEM “replacement kit” carb (cause the original version is no longer being made).

To make things PAINFULLY clear - NOBODY is saying that if you run out and buy a new pressure washer that has a brand new B&S motor on it - its gonna have the same exact carb thats online for $12 that i posted..

I’m saying there is a painfully obvious HIGH probability- that the 10 year old, 15 year old (I’m guessing at ages) carbs that came on the B&S engines - which B&S are NO LONGER MAKING EXACT REPLACEMENTS FOR, but offer “replacement models” for instead; are more than likely the same unbranded Chinese carbs you can buy for a fraction of the price, and are being sold with identical accessory part. (What a coincidence)

 

[Mr_B]

^^
lol you think only 1 factory in china making carbs ...
many factories will be producing almost identical items, just look at HF for good example of this ...
sure sometimes the oem will be supplying aftermarket brands to but more than 1 factory be producing aftermarket ...

 

[kctyphoon]

^^
lol you think only 1 factory in china making carbs ...
many factories will be producing almost identical items, just look at HF for good example of this ...
sure sometimes the oem will be supplying aftermarket brands to but more than 1 factory be producing aftermarket ...

No, I don’t think only one factory is making carbs.. do you think one factory is ONLY making carbs for B&S, for every model they ever made, for every size and model engine - and THAT factory is the only OEM one, but the one next door is the knock off? OR - do ya think that since B&S contracted a company to make a replacement model carb for them, in limited quantity as they need them, cause they aren’t selling those original good style carbs anymore to people like me with older engines, and so that same company is also running out unbranded models and selling those as well since it would maximize THEIR profits.

They prob run out 5000 every time B&S places an order for them, and after the manufacturing is done, that same place runs out 10,000 more unbranded identical ones - supplying both people that just need carbs, and whatever B&S engine “clone” companies there are somewhere in the world, with the carbs they need for those cheap engines too.

Or do you think there’s a dozen carb plants, all making their own different knock off versions, and by shear coincidence they all wound up with the exact same cast and accessory parts kit?

Show me a Chinese Knipex cobra plier knock off, where that chinese company making them isn’t the OEM manufacturing plant - where they wound up with an identical copy of the cobra pliers.. or did they get the basic design and idea down to make them work, and push them out into market being completely ok with the fact they don’t appear to be identical?

What your saying is like B&S made a good carb 10 years ago. They updated designs, don’t make that carb anymore, so made a really cheap, ******, bare minimum replacement model in kit form to work on a dozen different old engines for old customers like me, and then ANOTHER Chinese company, shaved 1 cent off that already ****** model, and made an even cheaper, even more ****** copy - but SOMEHOW - managed to keep everything identical. Even the cheapest accessory parts thrown in the box - but somehow kept the casting and exterior pieces identical to the ****** replacement made ONLY for B&S.

Or - is it more likely B&S just went to the cheap secondary market that was already being produced, and said - just make some for us now - so we can keep these 10 and 15 year old customers happy and supply them with some type of replacement for the fucked up carbs they have. Took the $12 carbs, threw them in B&S packaging, and moved on with their lives developing new stuff.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Well my comment aimed at joey not you.
You got way more than one plant making identical looking parts
The castings look same as they all based on original for making the molds.
Chinese don't care about copying, you see so many identical items as even when made at other facilities they using data/tooling stolen from the oem plants and source assembly items from same sources .

 

[tdkkart]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0797P8239/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Ordered on the 13th, delivered on the 15th, installed, started on the 2nd pull and runs perfectly. No discernable visual differences between the new one that the 10 year old original.

I honestly couldn't give 2 shits about who made it or where it came from, it works,

 

[SweetD]

I've used two Chinese carbs now on my Husq/Honda motor push mower and my Echo backpack blower. Both have worked well so far. But, the Honda clone does not have the same auto-choke fitting on the top, so the engine does not get choked, resulting in me having to pull start it several times vs. once or twice.

I'm going to clean/rebuild the OEM and see if it works. Luckily one of my good friends works at the local outdoor equipment shop where I originally bought the mower 12 years ago or so.

So the carb is not exact and it's missing a critical feature. But once running the motor runs great now. It was surging prior.

 

[kelpaso1]

I've had a similar experience with a coil for a mower. I bought one from Rotary. A B&S OEM coil, in a B&S box and it didn't fit. Coil wire on top instead of the side. Got one from a shop here in town, came in a white box and it fit fine and less than half of the OEM cost.

 

[exmaxima1]

I already know what people will say - why didnt you just rebuild it.. and my answer will be - why would you even buy a rebuild kit if you get the same carb as you would from B&S for $15 shipped.. $12.99 in one listing..

I just rebuilt the carb on a Murakawa trimmer with a $8 kit. New Chinese carb would have been $12-15. My rationale is that the old carb has the correct main jet (whatever size it may be) vs a substitute that is unknown and may not yield the same performance. It was a simple rebuild and took maybe 10 minutes tops, and I know the oem carb is decent quality. New oem carb (same brand) would be over $50.

 

[sdeeter19555]

I bought an Amazon carb because mine had obviously sat with water in the bowl (snowblower), the ports were corroded and plugged. It was easier and faster to buy a $15 carb than hope I could rebuild mine.

If it was just a rebuild, I would have tried new parts...but a basket case with questionable results in the end was an easy decision.

Plus, $15? That was worth trying just to see if it worked...at that price, I can replace it once a year if I need to...

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[Skin]

No, I don’t think only one factory is making carbs.. do you think one factory is ONLY making carbs for B&S, for every model they ever made, for every size and model engine - and THAT factory is the only OEM one, but the one next door is the knock off? OR - do ya think that since B&S contracted a company to make a replacement model carb for them, in limited quantity as they need them, cause they aren’t selling those original good style carbs anymore to people like me with older engines, and so that same company is also running out unbranded models and selling those as well since it would maximize THEIR profits.

They prob run out 5000 every time B&S places an order for them, and after the manufacturing is done, that same place runs out 10,000 more unbranded identical ones - supplying both people that just need carbs, and whatever B&S engine “clone” companies there are somewhere in the world, with the carbs they need for those cheap engines too.

Or do you think there’s a dozen carb plants, all making their own different knock off versions, and by shear coincidence they all wound up with the exact same cast and accessory parts kit?

Show me a Chinese Knipex cobra plier knock off, where that chinese company making them isn’t the OEM manufacturing plant - where they wound up with an identical copy of the cobra pliers.. or did they get the basic design and idea down to make them work, and push them out into market being completely ok with the fact they don’t appear to be identical?

What your saying is like B&S made a good carb 10 years ago. They updated designs, don’t make that carb anymore, so made a really cheap, ******, bare minimum replacement model in kit form to work on a dozen different old engines for old customers like me, and then ANOTHER Chinese company, shaved 1 cent off that already ****** model, and made an even cheaper, even more ****** copy - but SOMEHOW - managed to keep everything identical. Even the cheapest accessory parts thrown in the box - but somehow kept the casting and exterior pieces identical to the ****** replacement made ONLY for B&S.

Or - is it more likely B&S just went to the cheap secondary market that was already being produced, and said - just make some for us now - so we can keep these 10 and 15 year old customers happy and supply them with some type of replacement for the fucked up carbs they have. Took the $12 carbs, threw them in B&S packaging, and moved on with their lives developing new stuff.

Briggs owns their carburetor plant. They cycle castings as required which are then shipped to the US and assembled. Im not going to argue that a $60 or even a $40 small engine Carb made in China isn't price gouging but you're way off base first claiming that they were 100% identical and then shifting over to its "probably" the same place just making knock-offs. I said it on the prior page and you don't want to comprehend it. They're different, they're made cheaper. The castings are junk, the QC is non-existant, and they use Chinese carburetor insides most times where the Briggs plant uses US manufactured gaskets, floats, needles, and jets (most times). Use whatever you want but step off your soapbox over whats made where because you have no idea what you're talking about. End of discussion.

 

[tdkkart]

I used to build racing 2-stroke motors, I rebuilt/modified/tuned Walbro diaphragm carbs in my sleep and know exactly how to make them run, and run well. That said, I've long ago been "over it", $18 to be able to simply bolt on a new carb and have it work perfectly is a bargain to me. Every used part I took off went directly in the garbage without a 2nd look.

 

[Jason280]

China carbs today are viable replacements for A LOT less money. We use them on various different pieces of equipment at the motorcycle shop like chinese go carts and atv's and I also replaced my Sthil weedwacker with one

Unless I just have to fix it today, I'll never rebuild another 2-stroke carb. I fought with a Stihl FS45 trimmer carb for months, and still couldn't get it to run right. Ordered a $15 kit off eBay that included the carb, filter, and spark plug, and its run perfectly ever since.