| Author |
Message |
    
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 763
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 5:17 pm: |     |
I just tried to start my 1 year old snowblower and couldn't get it to start. I had started it a couple of times over the summer to ensure that it was running. I didn't drain all of the gas out of it as I probably should have.
I noticed that when I press the primer gas leaks out of the bottom of the carb. Any ideas? |
lseltzer
Citizen
Username: Lseltzer
Post Number: 1957
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 5:43 pm: | |
Buy a new one or get this one fixed. There's a place on Springfield Ave, next to Maplewood Hobby I think, that will come and pick it up, fix it, and bring it back. Anyone remember the name? I think it's lawnmower repair place. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 764
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 5:52 pm: | |
P&P lawnmower. That's where I bought it.....last year. Buying a new one is not really an option considering this one is less than a year old.
Me thinks that its probably flooded. I will let it sit an hour or so. Does this sound reasonable? |
lseltzer
Citizen
Username: Lseltzer
Post Number: 1958
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 6:40 pm: | |
I don't think you want to get engine advice from me. This is what I pay people like P&P Lawnmower for. We got ours in 96 and it's been pretty reliable. I've been very good about draining the tank every year though.
No harm in letting it sit a while and trying again. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 108
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 6:48 pm: | |
get a spray can of starter fluid. works like a charm on my 17 yr old snowblower. I never do any maintenance. It just keeps on starting.
oots |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 356
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 7:43 pm: | |
Sportnut,
The gas leaking from the bottom of the carb is the overflow. You flooded the carb. Only prime it 2 or 3 times.. Any more than that and your flooding it. Also, you may need to remove the sparkplug and sand the head down a little bit if its black with carbon.. also, slide the sandpaper between the gap, Sometimes the plugs build up with carbon when they sit for a while. You can use just about any kind of sandpaper.
I did not drain my tank either last year and my gas evaporated over the summer. Not a good thing so next year I will be less lazy. Also, remember to use fresh gas. Dont use the gas thats sitting in the can since last year. Its not good for the engine. It doesnt sound like you need to haul it to the repair place if it started over the summer. These engines are very simplistic. Try fixing it yourself with what I mentioned above. |
us2innj
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 922
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 9:19 pm: | |
Draining all the fluids is the ideal way to store any snow thrower or lawn mower. Add fuel stabilizer (about 1 oz per gallon of gas) whenever there is gas in the tank. |
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 69
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 9:47 am: | |
Check the positions of the choke and throttle levers. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3987
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 10:22 am: | |
Also, replace or clean the sparkplug. It worked for Barbara's leaf blower. 
Also fill the tank with fresh gasoline. |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 359
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 1:26 pm: | |
I sure hope Sportsnut got that snow machine working. Its piling up outside. |
gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 229
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 1:29 pm: | |
I just tipped off (filled) my half-full blower with year old gas (I'm supposed to drain it??). Is gas supposed to be yellow?? I hope it works tomorrow.......you men are scaring me. BTW when are you supposed to oil it?? I've had it for 3 years....
Although I have to say last year in the bitter cold my husband couldn't get the blower started. I took my hair drier to the thingy on the side (engine?) for about 2 minutes and it I started it on the first pull. Hey it works to dry out my coffee pot... |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 768
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 4:19 pm: | |
Wahoo!!!! Got it up and running today. Thanks for all of your help. Can't think of a better way to introduce myself to my new neighbors than by snowblowing their sidewalks.... |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 360
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 4:57 pm: | |
Sportnut, I am curious. What did you do to get it running? |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 774
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 5:19 pm: | |
I drained all the remaining gas that was in there probably was less than one cup. Filled it up with new gas. Let the carb dry out. Primed it once, tried to start it - it still wouldn't start. Primed it again pulled and it started right up.
Definitely had less to do with my small engine repair skills than it did with a flooded engine. |
gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 230
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 5, 2003 - 8:04 pm: | |
What did you prime it with? |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 363
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 6, 2003 - 7:19 pm: | |
Gemini,
Most snowblowers have a primer button. After the machine has been off for a while, you press the button a few times and it pumps fuel into the carburator prior to engaging the pull start. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3997
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 4:20 am: | |
My 17 year old snowthrower performed well, if somewhat crankily yesterday, clearing our walks and driveway much quicker than neighbors with newer Toros and Ariens.
The only problem is that next year he will only be available during college vacations. Oh well, time for a condo? |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 365
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 8:08 am: | |
 |
gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 235
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 7, 2003 - 2:47 pm: | |
Thanks NRL, I have one of those buttons too. I call it my gas giver (or flooder). |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 55
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 8:49 am: | |
Another thing to check if you've had your snow thrower more than a couple of years.....
1) Skid Shoes ... on the front at the bottom outside the auger housing ... they glide along the sidewalk and keep the auger from digging into the pavement ... I discovered (oops) that I had worn mine completely off ... ordered new ones from MTD (Yard Machines) www.mtdproducts.com online for about 10 bucks.
2) Shave plate .. this is harder to get to (particularly with gas in the tank) but it is at the bottom at the very back bottom edge of the auger housing. It looks like a piece of flat metal that is bolted to the sides of the housing (its also bolted along the back edge). Again (oops (bigger this time) I hadn't thought about this and not only had I worn it half way through (eek) I had worn it so much that I was now also wearing the nuts off the bolts (try to get half a nut into a socket wrench).
Anyway, that too, direct from MTD, cost about 20 bucks and its like I have a new machine again. All easily user replacable.
And hey keep a couple of extra sheer pins (for the auger) on hand...if you have them handy, you won't ever need them.
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 240
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 5:07 pm: | |
That guy at P&P ROCKS. Had my blower w/in 24 hours before the big storm. He has a customer for life. |
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