I have not heard of this happening only on rare occasions. HOW did they repair the first one? That is not a replacement part but an assembly that only comes with a new camshaft.

Walt Conner

He replaced the cam also.

Tere should be lots of good used camshafts out there for these but that doesn't help much unless you do the work yourself.

Walt Conner

Do you have a picture of this? I have the parts diagram but I do not know if the part we are talking about is shown.
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocumentDisplay/18kvuDXPnfBhU7y.pdf
Do you have any Idea why mine would keep breaking?

Is it the part just above the large gear?

Yes, the part above the large gear is in fact the camshaft.
Without one knowing EXACTLY what portion of the compression release mechanism is breaking (or otherwise becoming defective) it is impossible to say WHY it keeps repeating the failure.

Has it been confirmed that the c/r has broken a second time? Possible an adjuster loosened or the stud walked back out of the head? If it has been confirmed, is there any mark on the tappet head? The tappet and valve working freely?

Yes it's confirmed. And no mark tappet head and tappet and valve work freely.
Do you think it could be from running the engine at low speeds and not splashing enough oil?

"Do you think it could be from running the engine at low speeds and not splashing enough oil?"

Never good to run an engine too slow BUT, the conn. rod would have seized first.

Walt Conner

Well i'm on my fifth cam and on the last replacement bought a new sump also. I'M GIVING UP and went out and bought a new mower. They last about 4 month before breaking.