small engine guys - snowblower help?

[michaelgvh]

Symptoms...
1) Starts ok with full choke and priming
2) Only runs with full choke
3) Stalls out when choke is turned down
4) Eventually stalls out even with choke on... and turning it down at that point just kills it faster
5) Gas is old.

It seems fuel related somehow, but I don't know anything about engines so I thought I would ask you guys.

[cek]

i would drain the old fuel via the drain screw on the bottom of the carb bowl and put in fresh fuel. replace or clean the spark plug. if it has a fuel valve, turn to open position.

if it still stalls out, a carb rebuild may be in order. if it is a honda engine, the entire carb is reasonably priced. if it is a briggs & stratton, a carb rebuild kit is the best way to go. entire b&s carbs are priced silly high.

i buy all of my small engine parts from these guys:

http://www.planopower.com/

[michaelgvh]

It still only runs on full choke... although it seems to be running on full choke a little better.

"So I got that going for me, which is nice."

[19redwings]

Now get to an auto parts store and pick up a can of sea foam additive. Mx per specs and refill your tank with some seafoam treated gas.

You may want to pout a spoonful of seafoam directly down the sparkplug hole before starting as well.

[cek]

sounds like carb issues. what is the engine make and model?

[michaelgvh]

I borrowed my neighbor's snowblower to do the driveway and it looks exactly like theirs, but older. The choke, primer, exhaust, etc all seem to be in the exact same spots and the same parts.
An 8hp Tecumseh. I'd guess it's about 6-7 years old.

[cek]

i suggest you find the make, model, serial number and version of the engine. supply that info to the parts house and get a genuine rebuild kit for the carb. kits usually go for around $25 and take about one hour to rebuild. the procedure for adjusting the idle and wot jets can be found online. fwiw...i usually go directly to the carb rebuild kit when this type of problem crops up.

[michaelgvh]

I have no idea where to look for either the engine model number or the carb. I think the carb is covered by protective metal plates.
I also have not opened up a carb since I had a Puch moped when I was 15.
My lawnmower isn't working either after staying out in the rain in the fall. I may just call the small motor repair housecall guy I know. Odds are I'll just screw things up more than fix them and maybe I can a 2 for 1 deal on the visit.

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Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)

[cek]

google tecumseh engines and you will find a diagram on where the engine info is located. ordeer up the carb rebuild kit and dive in. that is how i did it.

[19redwings]

Hey, you guys ready to let the dogs out?

[michaelgvh]

Didn't fix it. Helped a little to get it to run without the choke on. However, it will run without any load. As soon as I add the auger and wheels to the load it stalls out.

[19redwings]

Either rebuild it, or get it to a shop.




Hey, you guys ready to let the dogs out?

[michaelgvh]

And I'm too cheap to pay $100 for some douche to spray carb cleaner on it and have it work in 10 minutes.
So, I think I'm going to take the plunge and try to rebuild it. I found the model number and the carb kit looks like it's only $15-20.

My neighbor is cool about letting me use his snowblower and it works great, so if I don't get it fixed by Friday's storm I can probably survive.========================================== ===============

Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)

[cek]

i suggest you take close up pics of the carb assembly prior to disassembly paying attention to throttle and choke linkage connections.

it is a dirty job, so mrs. gvh will be ok with you using the kitchen sink.

i mention this because i once rebuilt a VW carb in the kitchen sink and it was the first and last time that ever happened...

[michaelgvh]

Carb cleaner? small hand tools?

Kit has been ordered with all the seals and some small metal parts.============================================ =============

Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)

[cek]

you have two options on the carb cleaner. i think "GUNK" sells a one gallon can of carb cleaner with a dip basket for soaking the carb and carb parts. this is a good thing to do a day or so before you take apart the carb. it comes out of the soak very clean. one can of spray cleaner will be needed for washing just prior to assembly with the new parts. SAE hand tools is all that is needed.

you will be getting gaskets, seals, high jet, idle jet, bowl float needle valve and seal, mounting gasket, etc. the kit usually covers several models of the carb, so there will be a few extra parts you won't use(usually needle valve and seal). just take it apart on a clean surface, then match up the new parts next to the old parts and re-assemble. google the initial jet settings so it will start and then google the idle jet adjust and wot jet adjust procedure. good luck and be sure to let the boys help out with the small parts.

[michaelgvh]

More than one carb in the next 3 years.
Do I need a gallon? Can I get away with just the spray if I use enough of it?

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Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)

[cek]

go with two cans of carb cleaner.

[19redwings]

Tecumseh manual.




Hey, you guys ready to let the dogs out?

[michaelgvh]

Thought I sent a reply e-mail. Sorry.

But, Yes I did. Thank you.
I had actually found it online the night before you sent it to me. I'm not sure if it scared me more or helped.

I'm going to look and see if I can find an online writeup with pics a such as well. I bet it exists.

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Michael G. vH

1999 528it
1994 325i (sold)