3HP Snapper Walk Behind

[sleepydad]

I have an old Snapper Hi-Vac that my father in law gave me years ago. I'm guessing it's over 15 years old. It used to start on the first pull, but now my wife and I tag team pulling until it finally turns over which can be 20 or 30 tries. Once it gets going, it sputters - badly. When I put it away, my garage smells of gas for two days. I had it in recently to have the blade replaced and asked that the tech also replace the air filter. He inspected it and told me that it was fine and only needed a cleaning which he did for me. (I notice when I leave the air filter out, it starts on the first pull. That's why I zeroed in on that being the problem.) When I got home, with cleaned air filter installed, it started on the first pull and ran fine for thirty seconds then started sputtering again. I finished the front yard and shut down to move to the back. Thirty pulls later I got it to start (and sputter). My wife thinks we need a new mower. I'm thinking it's a small fix, but I'm a web developer who's not terribly mechanically inclined. I can do anything mechanical with detailed instruction, but am not a troubleshooter.

So, is the wife right and I put out $200 for a new mower or can I fix this for a few bucks and salvage the mower for a few more years. My next beer purchase hinges on your reply(s).

Thanks all -
sleepydad

 

[KennyV]

WELCOME to these Forums...

'Sometimes' a cleaning will get you a few more hours from an air filter, but when it's acting like you say: "I notice when I leave the air filter out, it starts on the first pull."... Spend a couple $ and pick up a new air filter... Easy to replace and that should keep you going for some time again.
The sputtering problem was likely from the partially plugged air filter and should go away with it's replacement... If not, post back & a simple carb cleaning will get you back to top shape. Happy mowing. :smile:KennyV

 

[sleepydad]

WELCOME to these Forums...

'Sometimes' a cleaning will get you a few more hours from an air filter, but when it's acting like you say: "I notice when I leave the air filter out, it starts on the first pull."... Spend a couple $ and pick up a new air filter... Easy to replace and that should keep you going for some time again.
The sputtering problem was likely from the partially plugged air filter and should go away with it's replacement... If not, post back & a simple carb cleaning will get you back to top shape. Happy mowing. :smile:KennyV

Thanks very much for the reply Kenny. Would the air filter also cause the lingering gas smell? I'm quite concerned about that as well. The smell is so intense that, at my wife's insistence, I keep the mower outside for fear of the fumes igniting. It really is practically suffocating. Forgot to mention first post that I installed a new spark plug some months back as well. New plugs always fixed my '67 VW Bug. Didn't help my mower, though.

 

[KennyV]

...
Would the air filter also cause the lingering gas smell? ..

Most likely...
With a blocked air filter it will always be running rich, and after shutdown the excess fuel in the carburetor will evaporate into the air, giving you the strong gasoline odor...
Change the filter, it's only a few bucks... post back if you continue with any other problems...
67 Bugs were easy to keep running, I had a red one myself, gave it to my younger brother, great little cars. lots of fun, BUT very small, I'm 6' 5" and really did not fit well in it... But still managed to have a Lot of fun in that thing... :smile:KennyV

 

[Snapper7800597]

Hey sleepydad--Just wanted to throw my $0.02 into the ring My 1st (used) Snapper was a bargain for $200, a Commercial Grade walk behind. Starting was....my worst part. I had no idea what I was in for...And like you, I would attempt starts for over an hour out of desperation & the desire to conquer the machine!

Trial & Error -- FOUR long years later, here was my routine: Change pre-cleaner & filter once a month, add oil EVERY HOUR, exchange Spark Plug EVERY HOUR... (clean old ones & reuse) To start mower, prime several times, jerry-rig the handle so you can walk away & engine still runs... Position mower on driveway slant....Now Push mower forward with one arm, simultaneously pulling starting rope---generally 5 pulls. Use spray cleaner often in spark plug & air intake to clear up burned oil gunk...

I took old smokey in for repairs 3wks ago. Told them to tell me everything I needed. Cost for repairs $300.80---so, I stopped by their shop to look at a new one. I walked in on the day they put out a 2yr old trade in... Walked out with a gently used machine for $300.00

Try a trade in... Look for gently used mowers... Don't spend the next 2 yrs loving to hate your mower... I am partial to the Snapper mulching machines (any CAN mulch BTW)... The cheaper alternative is the Toro. Don't get an electronic start - unless its a steal... they didn't last on the market.

I wish I had broken down & purchased 2yrs ago..but I was stubborn!

 

[sleepydad]

Hey sleepydad--Just wanted to throw my $0.02 into the ring My 1st (used) Snapper was a bargain for $200, a Commercial Grade walk behind. Starting was....my worst part. I had no idea what I was in for...And like you, I would attempt starts for over an hour out of desperation & the desire to conquer the machine!

Trial & Error -- FOUR long years later, here was my routine: Change pre-cleaner & filter once a month, add oil EVERY HOUR, exchange Spark Plug EVERY HOUR... (clean old ones & reuse) To start mower, prime several times, jerry-rig the handle so you can walk away & engine still runs... Position mower on driveway slant....Now Push mower forward with one arm, simultaneously pulling starting rope---generally 5 pulls. Use spray cleaner often in spark plug & air intake to clear up burned oil gunk...

I took old smokey in for repairs 3wks ago. Told them to tell me everything I needed. Cost for repairs $300.80---so, I stopped by their shop to look at a new one. I walked in on the day they put out a 2yr old trade in... Walked out with a gently used machine for $300.00

Try a trade in... Look for gently used mowers... Don't spend the next 2 yrs loving to hate your mower... I am partial to the Snapper mulching machines (any CAN mulch BTW)... The cheaper alternative is the Toro. Don't get an electronic start - unless its a steal... they didn't last on the market.

I wish I had broken down & purchased 2yrs ago..but I was stubborn!

Thanks for the input! I've been fortunate and never had to buy a mower. As I stated earlier, my father in law gave this one to me when he decided to go with a lawn service. I gotta' say that as much as I've used and abused it, it's still kicking and I'm sold on the Snapper name. I'm going to try Kenny's suggestion before I go shopping for a new/used mower. If I'm out a couple of bucks for a foam filter and the mower still doesn't work, so be it. I just cut a check to Uncle Sam for taxes so I'm not in a position to be shelling out Benjamins for a new mower right away thus my motivation to squeeze blood from the proverbial turnip and keep the Hi-Vac going. I do appreciate your time, and will consider going the used route if/when. Thanks.

 

[Snapper7800597]

I have seen the foam type filters, but both my Hi-Vacs use/used the accordion type that looks like an a/c filter. Foam sounds..... foamy...like it's too dense for air to pass thru. Do you have any choice on the type of filter? Just curious.

And of course I understand $$$. I ruled it out for years. I only dreamed of a newer Snapper. (Like you, I won't compromise either) Stalk your dealership... if nothing else.

If I had not walked in when I did, my wonderful new Snappy would have been snagged, tagged & bagged by the sales rep who recommended it.

He hadn't even put a "For Sale" sign on it yet....Hoping the day would end, & he could buy it. Just Saying---start looking at the very least.

Oh--and my old one also played the START, run for 30-40 seconds, or 2 mins... & then sputter & stall game. I had the motor replaced with another used motor-the rings had gone bad. 2nd motor was still kicking when I took it in.

 

[Snapperfreak]

A carb cleaning might be all it needs. But if u ever get tired of it and buy a new one...I'll buy your old one!