Snapper Lawn Mower

[gozz]

I have a 2002 snapper 281123bve rear engine mower with an 11 hp Briggs and Stratton engine. After standing it up on end this morning to check the blade the mower will not start. It started fine before I stood it up on end. The fuel tank was full when I stood it up. I have checked to make sure it is getting a spark and fuel—both were fine. I also checked all three safety switches and all appear to be working fine. I even changed the oil. What else can I check?

 

[feellnfroggy]

Keep trying to start it, its either flooded from standingon end or the oil has drained from essential parts, or oil flooded the cylinder, spray some starting fluid and try to get it to turn over that way, it will prolly smoke alot, but it should be fine.

 

[gozz]

I have tried starting fluid and putting gas in the carb, this mower is made to stand on end. I removed the plug and cranked it over several times--no oil being ejected from cylinder. Just not sure what else to try--it has spark, fuel and air--might remove the carb and see if there is any junk in there. Just frustrating that the dang thing was running fine, then it will not crank now. Maybe a couple of blows with a BFH will get it going again--would make me feel better anyway.

 

[chittybangbang]

Does your tractor start if the blades are engaged?I know my JD can't start it they are.

 

[gozz]

No this mower has 3 safety switches--blade, clutch, seat--If the clutch/parking break are set it will spark--when the brake is not set it will not spark--if the blade is engaged--it will not spark--blade off it will spark. After it is running and the break is released--if you get off the seat it will go dead. I thought it was one of the switches--so I tested them all with a volt meter. I just got back from the small engine dude--I have fooled with this thing for two days--time to bring in the professionals..... Thanks for you replies and suggestions. I will post back once a problem is determined.

 

[feellnfroggy]

If you put starter fluid in there and gasoline and neither one of them made it run for ast least a second or two then you DONT have spark. If you had spark those two fluids would have caught and burned. It might not have stayed running but it would have at least ran with the fluid put manually in the cylynders. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe you shut off the fuel valve when you started maintenance and never opened the line back up. I almost forgot, how did you check for spark, did you take the plug out and look at the electrodes? or did you unplug the wire and do the screw driver test? Because if you did the screw driver test you might have spark but at the wire but the plug isnt giving spark to teh cylinder, the plug itself could have an issue. Just something else to think about. (I think you said new plugs, but maybe its gapped wrong too)

 

[gozz]

I took the plug out so I could see it, sparking like a champ. I tried the starter fluid through the carb and by squirting it into the cylinder itself. Crazy but true--could be some sort of timing issue...

 

[feellnfroggy]

Hmm, I'm at a loss. I guess call a small engine repair, I'm sure they would have heard of this before given that alot of people turn their mowers up for maintenance. They should be able to give you an idea over the phone, if they are kool. If theyare dicks, then I suggest take the whole mower apart piece by piece and drop it off in abox, tell them you mowed over a kite string. It'll cost more but it'll teach em to be dicks LOL. J/k

Serious thoug, time to make some calls.

 

[gozz]

Yeah I screwed around with it all weekend, dropped it off at a lawn mower repair place this morning. I haven't heard from them so they may be as confused as I was.

 

[chittybangbang]

so...what was it?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't remember how the engine sit on those "Comet" style mowers, but if you tilt those smaller engines right they can fill up the foam air filter with engine oil... and it won't start.

 

[Mark_88]

Hmmmm...when I saw "snapper lawn mower" I somehow thought this was about beaver trimmers...

 

[gozz]

Turns out it was a snapped ring on the piston. It really messed up the cylinder. A replacement short block is $350, a new 13 hp Honda motor is $450. This mower only has 120 hours. I am kind of disappointed in this briggs and stratton engine to say the least. Thanks for your input. I have an older 14 hp motor I am going to try and mount on the mower might be too large to fit in the available space but we will see.

 

[Red Ranger]

Mine does that also. I found out that removing the air filter, it will start. Just put the filter back on after it's running. I do believe the manual states to remove the gas tank if over 1/2 full when tipping the mower on it's back.