The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers
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Saving a Suffolk Punch 35S

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andrewagray Tue, 19/05/2020

Hi all,

I have just stumbled upon this forum after googling for some info on a Suffolk Punch 35s that I am planning to save/bring back to life.
I grew up learning how to cut grass as a kid/teen with this mower so it would be nice to get it back to its best as its been lying unused for quite a few years now.

Since photos say a thousand words, here are a few of its current situation:

Stored off of the ground on wood, looking slightly sorry for itself with oil leaking out?
Wont start but pulls over.
Planning to drain the fuel and fill with fresh, check the plug and give it another go.

Cheers
Andrew
 

Forums

Chris G Tue, 19/05/2020

Hello, do you know if it was working before it was laid up?

Check to see if you get a spark first, get someone to pull it over while you hold the plug against the head - making sure that the throttle position is not earthing it out of course, spark plug tester would be good if you can borrow one. If you are getting a spark it might be easier to advise from there.

andrewagray Wed, 20/05/2020

I believe it was a struggle to start before it was laid up!

Any idea where the oil leak might be coming from or what it could be a sign of?

I will check the plug next time i'm down where the mower is being stored at the moment - cheers!

Chris G Tue, 26/05/2020

Hi, on the oil leak if there is one, it could have weeped from the sump drain plug when laid up or from the fill if it was topped up a bit, a little oil looks a lot seeping into a dusty garage floor over time.

If it's neither, a clean up and start might show it's origin better, looks like it has dripped onto the rear roller from the deck so could have made it down the engine / deck mount bolts

villiers98 Sun, 14/06/2020

1) Check for spark ,also after unscrewing the plug cap . The electronic ignition often gives up on these . For safety do this first and only add fuel if there is a decent spark

2) Good compression - felt when pulling starter rope . Valve can stick open/ seat face rusts if  engine left with valve open

3) Carburettor may well be blocked with old fuel .

4) If it has oil in it still, don't worry about the leak  till it runs

None of these are the end of the world but costs/time can add up. Good luck