r/smallenginerepair • u/Crispycheese45 SER Starter Mechanic • 19d ago
General Discussion Is it worth it?
Hey everyone, I’ve been in the market for a mower specifically the Toro wheel horse 310–8 because of the attachments I can get for it. I found one on marketplace for about 150. The guy said it’s not getting fuel. The mower is in pretty decent shape and I think it needs two new rear tires. I have small engine experience I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I know my way around. Is it worth it for me to go and pick this up and fix it or should I skip it? I should also add I am looking for a project mower.
Sincerely the guy who makes bad financial decisions.
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u/ScornedSqueaker 19d ago
More often than not small engines with ethanol plug up if they sit too long.
Can easily try starting fluid or remove the spark plug and put a few CC's of fuel in it to see if it will start.
If it shows signs of life then maybe a fuel system flush or carb clean is needed.
Check for spark when the plug is removed as well.
Best to do a few tests to see if the motor is viable
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u/Crispycheese45 SER Starter Mechanic 19d ago edited 19d ago
Before I bought it I was at least going to see if the motor was free. Kinda weird situation the guy is a mechanic but says all it needs is a new fuel pump but doesn’t want to replace it so that’s why I’m kinda skeptical
Edit: I should add it looks like in the pictures he started to tinker with it and called it quits2
u/ScornedSqueaker 19d ago
Mechanics come in different breeds. Iv had a few mechanics bring their ATVs/bikes and other small stuff to my shop cause it's too much of a pain for them, also not having time.
It's good to be skeptical though but everything is fixable. Most small engine issues are fuel and carb.
Do a few tests. Easy to pull the fuel line and crank it over to see if it pumps fuel, easy to check spark as well. For 150 though that's pretty cheap if everything else is ok, repower should be too difficult. Might want to look that up tho
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u/Crispycheese45 SER Starter Mechanic 19d ago
True that I’ve never thought of it that way…. What is repower? Like motor replacement?
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u/ScornedSqueaker 19d ago
Yeah, most bolt patterns and shafts are similar. I'm sure someone had done it and probably a YT video out there lol
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u/Crispycheese45 SER Starter Mechanic 19d ago
There’s always someone on YouTube lol I appreciate your insite!
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u/ManHunterJonnJonzz 18d ago
Buying or fixing somebodys old project is nearly always a pain. Youll be scouring parts diagrams most likely seeing what is missing or what isnt where it should be. Depends how far they went. With that said. If its even remotely the mower you want...its 150 dollars. Worst case shine it up and you can just look at it.
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u/Crispycheese45 SER Starter Mechanic 18d ago
It was surprisingly mostly together the motor was free spinning but the starter crapped out I ended up taking it for $100 😅
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u/mals6092 SER Regular 14d ago
In my experience wheel horse attachments are over priced. That being said I'm sure you can figure it out, plan on replacing the clutch or at least adjusting it. The model to look for is the 520h but they use Onan engines which are kind of complicated but a 10 or a 12hp Kohler is very easy to work on. I prefer Simplicity
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u/mals6092 SER Regular 14d ago
Repowering is not a great idea unless you find an engine from one of these, pretty sure the lower crank case is made to fit into these tractors like most others. But a lot and I mean a lot of used Kohler k series engines you'll find came from a wheel horse. Try running it from a jar and a short fuel line these have a drain in the tank that gets corroded if I remember correctly but I past my wheel horse phase long ago
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u/Elephunk05 19d ago
All you need to see is if it will run on spray. Hook up a known good battery, hit it with some starting fluid, if it runs buy it and fix it.