Help with old snapper riding mower...

[Brigitte]

Hi all, Last year I was given an older snapper riding mower. I can't find the model or serial numbers.

The engine starts up, runs about 2 seconds and dies. It won't usually start again until it's sat for about 15 minutes, but when I get it started again, it does the same thing. It turns over like it's going to start, but no luck.

It has fresh gas and the oil level is fine. This is very frustrating, cuz for a few seconds it sounds good to go, then just dies.

It's an 11hp B&S engine.

I don't know much about this kinda stuff, but I know it needs spark, fuel and air to run. I know it's getting spark and I'm pretty sure it's getting gas, although I can't seem to find a fuel filter on this thing, so I'm not sure of the condition of it. I've checked the air filter and it looks good, but perhaps the look of it can be deceiving??

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks, Brigitte

[Brigitte]

Not sure if it matters, but I forgot to mention it's an electric start.

Thanks, Brigitte

[m Ransley]

Get the carburator cleaned, rebuilt

[Bob]

It sounds like a carb problem. Disassembly and cleaning should fix it. It probably sat unused for a long time with fuel in it at some time.

Bob

[Brigitte]

Hi Bob, Thanks for your advice. I purchased some carb/choke cleaner in a spray can and had sprayed that inside the carb. Does this not really count as cleaning? It seemed to make no difference, so I figured the carb wasn't the problem...Was this just too easy and not really a carb "cleaning", per se?

Thanks, Brigitte

>

[spamTHISbrp]

No, that's not going to be enough.

The carb is going to have to be removed and disassembled, and the gas tank should be cleaned as well.

There's probably a mostly plugged fuel line or passage in the carb that allows the float bowl to slooooowly fill, then it gets used up running for those 2 seconds.

Dave

[David Martel]

Brigette,

Spraying carb cleaner is only part of the process. You probably should buy the correct rebuild kit, disassemble the carb, soak the parts in a solvent (gas will do), clean the parts, and then reassemble following the directions from the kit. After all of this you will need to readjust your carb following the kit instructions. The correct carb rebuild kit can be ordered if you know the model carb, the number is stamped on the carb, or the engine model number. stamped on the engine, or the lawn mower number, somewhere on the lawn mower. You may find the Briggs&Stratton web-site helpful.

Dave M.

[Bob]

Too easy. Internal passages and jets get clogged. There could be water in the tank. If there is a drain on the bottom of the carb, opening it could let some crud and water out. Any old gas in the mower should be removed and replaced with fresh gas. Possibly, a "pour in the gas" carb cleaner could help, but don't overdo it.

Sometimes, squirting a little gas into the carb (with the air cleaner removed) and starting the engine, then repeating multiple times, will manage to un-clog it enough to work. Otherwise, dissasembly and cleaning of the carb is needed. If you have no interest in this kind of work, and have no friend who could do it, any mower repair shop can do it.

The FAQ pointed to above has useful info.

Bob

[Mac Cool]

It's not getting fuel. I have a Toro with the same problem. I've had the carb apart twice, cleaned it, replaced the primer bulb, checked that gas is getting to the carb but it's not getting in the carb fast enough to keep running. Something is plugged but I don't know what.

[Joe]

Engines have to breathe to work. That means both inhale and exhale. They can't inhale and suck in gas if they can't exhale. Check to see that your muffler isn't clogged.

I've had this happen >It's not getting fuel. I have a Toro with the same problem. I've had the

[Mac Cool]

Joe:

good tip, thanks.

[Brigitte]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice. I've determined that this is more than I'm prepared to deal with at this time, since I'm also in the process of moving to Colorado. I put the mower on Freecycle and have someone coming to pick it up today.

As soon as this thing is gone I'll no longer be obsessed with this darned thing.

Thanks again, Brigitte