Small engine trouble

[turbojimmy]

I have a new snowblower with an 8HP Tecumseh Snow King engine on it. I've used it twice. This year I fired it up and it wasn't running right. I figured it was old gas. I put new gas in it and it does the same thing. It won't idle and does this cyclical thing with the RPM - up and down, up and down, up and down. If I put on full blast and push it into the snow (a load) it works fine but you can tell it's not running right. I took the carb off of it, took off the valve and made sure there was nothing stuck in the needle valve. It seems to be a fuel delivery thing but I don't know where to start. It seems if I hit the PRIME button while its running it makes it run better so I figure it's lean. Plug is fouling though (carbon).

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[GNTIM]

I would replace the plug first, if that doesn't help then it's probably a gummed up carb. Gas starts to go bad after 3 months. Take it apart and use carb cleaner in every orfice and compressed air if available. When you remove mixture screws, carefully turn them in untill they seat, counting the turns. Usually if you are careful the gaskets can be re-used. If it has low hours and it ran fine before than the original adjustments should bo o/k. I always put fuel stabilizer in anything that is going to sit for longer than 3 or 4 months.

 

[turbojimmy]

I would replace the plug first, if that doesn't help then it's probably a gummed up carb. Gas starts to go bad after 3 months. Take it apart and use carb cleaner in every orfice and compressed air if available. When you remove mixture screws, carefully turn them in untill they seat, counting the turns. Usually if you are careful the gaskets can be re-used. If it has low hours and it ran fine before than the original adjustments should bo o/k. I always put fuel stabilizer in anything that is going to sit for longer than 3 or 4 months.

That's what my dad said, too - start with the plug. He has the same machine. Since I don't have a plug but I do have carb cleaner I took it all apart and cleaned it and put it back together. Same thing. I'll have to try the plug next.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[turbojimmy]

Okay - it wasn't the plug. I put a new one in it tonight and it does the same thing. It's beginning to piss me off. If I have to take it to an 'expert' it's really going to bother me.

It's running rich. In order to clean the carb I put a pair of vice grips on the fuel line while it was running to run it out of gas. During the last 30 seconds it ran great. I blew compressed air through all the orifices. There are NO adjustments on this carb at all, except for the idle stop.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[darkred87T]

Jim,
When I helped Chris with his snowblower when it wouldn't start, I found that the fuel lines were all clogged with crap. It don't think it sat for very long either. After cleaning out the lines, it ran great and I never had to take the carb apart. Also, check to make sure the inline fuel shut off valve isn't half turned causing a restriction.

 

[turbojimmy]

Jim,
When I helped Chris with his snowblower when it wouldn't start, I found that the fuel lines were all clogged with crap. It don't think it sat for very long either. After cleaning out the lines, it ran great and I never had to take the carb apart. Also, check to make sure the inline fuel shut off valve isn't half turned causing a restriction.

Yes, but Chris' was older than dirt. This thing is brand new. I'm going to steal the carb off of Dad's when he's not looking. It's the same Tecumseh 8HP engine. If that fixes it I'll get a rebuilt kit for mine. Or just put my carb on dad's and act all surprised when it doesn't run right

Jim

 

[turbofabricator]

Okay - it wasn't the plug. I put a new one in it tonight and it does the same thing. It's beginning to piss me off. If I have to take it to an 'expert' it's really going to bother me.

It's running rich. In order to clean the carb I put a pair of vice grips on the fuel line while it was running to run it out of gas. During the last 30 seconds it ran great. I blew compressed air through all the orifices. There are NO adjustments on this carb at all, except for the idle stop.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Jim

Yep!.......Move to Florida and the snow blower will never run bad again! I live in the North West and have never used one of those things either. It sounds like a gummed carb. Try some carb cleaner in the gas in high concentrations. If it doesn't do anything, then it's time for carb overhaulin'. Maybe Chip Foose could Overhaul your snow blower for you.:biggrin: Next year, add some Stabil to you fuel tank and run it with it in it for a few minutes to get some in the carb.

 

[URSPANKED]

My brother says that the sure fire way to clean a small engine carburetor is to take an old sauce pan and boil the carb in water. He says it will remove any old varnish from the gasoline. Just don't drink the water afterwards...it's loaded with carbs (sorry!).

 

[turbojimmy]

My brother says that the sure fire way to clean a small engine carburetor is to take an old sauce pan and boil the carb in water. He says it will remove any old varnish from the gasoline. Just don't drink the water afterwards...it's loaded with carbs (sorry!).

I'm going to swap my dad's carb onto it today. If it runs well then I'll know what the problem is. I'll give boiling a try. If that doesn't work I'll pack up the family and move to Florida

Jim