Farmall Cub

I just picked up a nice Snapper rear engine rider for my Aunt yesterday. I had to do some preventive maintenance on it when I got it home. Everything was working great and I mowed a little of my lawn with it to test it out. All was well but as dry as it has been lately around here it was quite dusty when I was done. I washed it off when I was done planning to load it up to deliver to my Aunt. After washing it wouldn't start. I let it dry for about a half hour and it started right up.

I loaded it up and delivered it to my Aunt and she used it a little bit on her lawn to try it out and get used to it. When the time came to run it into her shed it wouldn't clear the 6" step up into the shed. I told her "no problem, I make you some ramps to get it in there". Anyway, I made the ramps after church today and ran them over there so she could get the mower in the shed. I drizzled all day today and you guessed it, it wouldn't start. So now, I've got to get it going for her. Before I spend much time on it I figured I run past you guys here to see if you have any thoughts as to what might be a likely place to start looking.

Is there a boot on the spark plug? Other than that, might get moisture under the points cover, but that is tucked well away under the flywheel. Also check any kill switch wire or hot wire that might be exposed at engine, or at keyswitch.

Ignition related. Check spark plug wire(s) and boot(s) for break down. Check for spark loss at any hold downs on spark plug wire(s).

Just put a donor 12 hp engine on Miss Piggy, haven't had any wet start problems. Did have a problem with kill wire shorting out where spliced, not finished yet. Mows 6 inch grass in high gear, I love it!

Better to use air to clean than water. What size Snapper? Mine are both 30 inch rear engine. One is 41 years old and the new one is 33 years old. Twelve horses makes a great improvement over eight tired ones! Once had to use a 41 inch rear engine, run, don't walk if you see one with 3 blades (twin blades ones were probably better), 14 hp was barely enough. Always thought a V twin 42 inch 2 bladed rear engined Snapper would be fun.

Thanks guys. Spark plug does have a boot. I need to by-pass the darn seat switch so I can open the "hood" and crank it over. Right now I need to be on the seat to try to start it.......

danovercash wrote:Better to use air to clean than water. What size Snapper? Mine are both 30 inch rear engine. One is 41 years old and the new one is 33 years old. Twelve horses makes a great improvement over eight tired ones! Once had to use a 41 inch rear engine, run, don't walk if you see one with 3 blades (twin blades ones were probably better), 14 hp was barely enough. Always thought a V twin 42 inch 2 bladed rear engined Snapper would be fun.

The Snapper is a 12 hp (if I remember correctly) 30" cut with hydrastat drive. I believe it is about 5 or 6 years old but doesn't look like it was used much.

Here is my Aunt Janet trying it out in her yard.

Rick:

That looks almost good enough to be right out of the dealers showroom ... nice snag

I have used a hair dryer in that instance and it worked. Great for removing moisture
Bernard,
Donegal Cub

Like some of the others have said, I would check the kill wire for a short. I had a mower that had the same problem that had the wire routed between the cylinder and the sheetmetal. I moved the wire to a more cool area and taped it up good, no more problem.

Well, the problem wasn't the dampness. Turned out to be fuel related. I guess the dampness was just a coincidence. I put a new battery in it and cranked it over expecting it to fire right up and nothing. Checked spark and it had a nice fat spark so I pulled the carb off. I didn't find anything in the carb but when I put it back together it fired up and ran like a charm.

I believe that one may have a solenoid in the bottom of the carb bowl that shuts off the fuel when the ignition is turned off. Check the connector on the wire to that solenoid, and also for dirt in the carb or carb bowl.

My Deere has a wire to carb and the plunger gets rust build up and shuts off the gas too!---guess what happened to my plunger?---YUP--- sidecutters took care of that internal plunger!---wire still goes to the carb, so no-one knows the switch has no internals! lol!! thanks; sonny