Cracked Briggs Air Cleaner Housing

[Mek-a-nik]

121012 0116 B8 070606 88 on a Troy Bilt genset M 030346 Rev 02.

I pulled my generator out of it's cooby hole in my truck for maintenance. The air cleaner housing was cracked around the two mounting holes. It was barely hanging on.
I've owned since it was almost new, never did this. It seems that the housing should have a bracket and screw to keep it from vibrating, assuming this is what cracked it.
Anyone know if this is a known problem and if there is a fix? No really big deal, it took 6 years to crack, but I wuz jest wonderin...

[StarTech]

Which one of the three air cleaner versions do you have?

If the plastic one I would expect just about anything from age related cracks to vibration related. I haven't seen any metal ones broken here on the garden tiller engine setups with that those versions and they take a lot vibration from use in the hard red clay around here.

[bgsengine]

pictures might help

[Mek-a-nik]

I forgot that there are 2 different style air cleaners. It's the metal one, with 2 screws holding the plastic cover on.
I'll get pics. I'm getting some work done outside while it's "warm". (40*)

[TwoCycle]

It's the metal one, with 2 screws holding the plastic cover on.

I have tack welded small washers over the screw holes to reinforce the cracked areas, and used medium strength loctite on the carb screws. I think a support brace would definitely help.

[Mek-a-nik]

A couple pictures:

http://s978.photobucket.com/user/Pictur ... 6147289575

http://s978.photobucket.com/user/Pictur ... 9012244186

[StarTech]

Only good solution I see here is install a replacement air cleaner base and make some additional bracing supports for the new one.

[Mek-a-nik]

I'm going to brace the new housing. Was just wondering if it's a common problem. Guess not. Thanks!

[bgsengine]

I'm going to brace the new housing. Was just wondering if it's a common problem. Guess not. Thanks!

Yeah.. 'snot common, but 'snot unusual either.
might see one like that every couple years or so..

[NevadaWalrus]

May be a vibration problem. Has gen side ever been removed from engine? The rotor may have been install out of alignment. If memory is correct, the winding poles are suppose to be 90 degrees to piston when at TDC for smoothest operation.