Comments on: snow blower wont stay running?

By: gmc

gmc — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:22 +0000

you probably will have to REMOVE and clean the carbureator. the 8hp has an updraft carb and needs proper fuel flow in order to start. since it runs with s. fluid your ignition sys. is fine. some of those carbs have a drain located on the bottom of the carb(little pin with spring) put fresh gas in tank then depress drain and drain old gas into container until fresh gas appears then try to restart. MAKE SURE that you did not close the shut off valve on the tank last year. the tank also has a filter screen in the outlet that can clog up. ps a carb kit is cheap for that blower so I suggest putting one in as the time/labor to clean is the same as putting in the kit. NEVER remove the float bowel with carb mounted as you can/will loose the inlet needle. DO NOT use wire on it either as this can damage the seat(can be blown out if you improperly use compressed air too)

By: howard b

howard b — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:22 +0000

Try to see if the spark plug is getting the current it needs? Try this; take a screwdriver put it in the tip of the wire that is on your plug, hold it very close to bare metal and have someone pull starter line to try to crank the blower, a small spark should jump from the driver to the metal. if this does not happen then it may be the coil, or even simpler the wire.

By: pneumonikmaniac S

pneumonikmaniac S — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:22 +0000

You need to clean the needle valve under the carb.It will get some corrosion by sitting most of the year, not running. Unscrew the sediment bowl, and the brass valve. Clean it with steel wool or fine sand paper. Try to poke a fine wire up into the carb to clear out any dirt.

By: bill b

bill b — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:22 +0000

Very first thing to check is the gas. If it is from last season, this is probably the reason. Stale gas needs replaced with fresh gas every season.
If you have fresh gas:
Needle valve might be stuck in the float or diaphragm assembly, and this means a carb rebuild.
or
Choke isn’t operating properly.
or
idle mixture screw needs adjusted to 1-1/4 turns, and fine tune from there.

Don’t take apart the float bowl unless you know what you are doing, you can lose some very small parts. Don’t use steel wool or sharp wire. Use carb spray such as Gumout.

By: paul h

paul h — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:22 +0000

Make sure the gas tank cap vent hole is not plugged causing a vacuum effect and not allowing gas to flow to the carb. Try starting with the cap loose. Could also be dirt or grit in the carb fuel bowl plugging up the intake orifice for the fuel.
Fuel filter or strainer, if any, clogged?

By: dsonly1

dsonly1 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:18:22 +0000

This engine is probably a Tecumseh. Their carburetors can be a nightmare if it has set several months. This is not a job for the garage. Gasoline vapors are dangerous. Get it to a shop. It’s cheaper in the long run.