OT? Mower problem

[Spike]

Getting ready to take a Snapper 26" w/B&S 7 hp back to dealer for warranty work. Since I'm not very mechanically inclined, would like to know if anyone can give me any insight b/4 it goes back.

Picked this up less than 2 weeks ago, new. After my first mowing, it had a miss in it, so to the dealer it went. Had a carburetor leak.

The second mowing went fine. Now, went to mow for the third time and the pull start was "locked". It wouldn't pull for anything. After a few tries, it pulled fine. Had to refuel during the mow, and pulled fine. B/4 I put it away, I cleaned under the mower, fueled up, and tried to start. It's like froze again.

I'm sure my problem will be resolved at the dealer, but does anyone know what could be causing this lock out on the pull start?

I'm beginning to think I got a lemon :o/

[JohnH]

Are you squeezing the safety handle completely? It will lock the engine if it's not held fairly tightly.

[Spike]

"JohnH" wrote

Thanks, but this starts, then you have to engage the blade. It's not one where the blade starts with the engine. So, there's no handle to squeeze except to engage the blade.

[Spike]

"Spike" wrote

Hmmmmmmmm, maybe the blade is partially engaged? That's why it won't pull?

[JohnH]

Maybe. It sounds like some kind of interlock to me.

[ds549]

what do you have,a rear engine rider?? if your oil is overfull and smells like gas,or gas leaks out carb then the inlet needle in the carb is leaking. do you have a metal gas can that has some rust or corrosion in it, then you put that dirt/rust right in when you add gas and wonder what the hell is happening ?. lucas

[Squanklin]

I had a similar problem with a Murray mower - turns out it was my fault, not the unit. Because my grass was thick and wet, I had to clean out the undercarriage a few times. When I did so, I tilted the mower to reach underneath and pull out the clogged grass clippings (after stopping the blade and turning the engine off, of course).

In doing so, I tipped the mower too much and flooded the carburetor, resulting in a similar "lock up" that you seem to have.

A small engine shop in my neighborhood fixed me right up and warned me about tipping the mower. "Always keep the carburetor on the high side," he said.

With your previous carburetor problem, I wonder if that's where I would question the dealer.

Good luck, Squanklin

[Spike]

wrote

It's a walk behind, didn't want a rider because I like the exercise, about

1/2 acre to mow. Snapper seems to be the only one with a walk behind under the 30 some inches, but larger than the typical 21".

The fuel can is plastic, I also have another smaller walk behind and no problems with it. I fuel them both out of the same can.

[Spike]

I tried to start it tonight when I got home. Hadn't tipped it to clean from last mowing, and still the lock out occurred. It goes back to the dealer tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with.