Damn &*#$&#@ snowblower!!

[Sacotool]

We got an inch or two of snow last night, so this morning I try and fire up the snowblower, no dice. I poured fresh gas in this morning, I opened the choke, primed it, pulled the starter cord about 30 times w/no response at all. Not even a sputter. Last time I started it was in September to make sure it works, and it ran fine. This thing is about 25 years old, but we've always taken good care of it. Oh well, I ended up shoveling

 

[Adul]

That is suck. Time for a new one

Damn that snow blower is older than I am

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Spark plug?

 

[etech]

I have an old stubborn garden tiller that's hard to start.

USE CAUTION


Get a can of spray carb cleaner, remove the air filter and give it a short shot down the carb. Wait about 10 sec and turn it over.

Works for my old tiller.

 

[TimberWolf]

etech is on the right track; There's a better than even chance that the carb is dirty and / or gummed up, especially if it gets stored without fuel stabilizer.

Get fresh gas, clean the plug, and check for a spark.

With good fuel, a hot spark, and air in the room - it should start . . .

 

[Sacotool]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll try what was suggested

 

[BowDown]

If you are getting a spark, but no gas... take a cap full (soda cap size) of gas and poor it into the cyliner (by removing the spark plug, and then putting it back in). If you do this is it should fire up and hopfully the draw will unclog any small gum and dirt you have.

 

[Sacotool]

How do you check for spark on this thing? I pulled the wire off of the plug and pulled the starter, but I didn't see a spark arc across. Am I doing it right?

 

[BowDown]

Remove the plug, stick your finger in the booty and pull the cord. Make sure you're touching the block of the motor .

No, really you just pull out the plug, attach it back to the plug wire, and let the bottom of the plug (or the side) touch the block of the motor. Have someone pull the starter and watch the plug for a blue spark. If you're not getting a spark check the wire for possible grounding against the motor. If there isn't any grounding you might need a coil.

 

[BowDown]

Also check the gap of the plug. You should be able to fit a guitar pick or something about that think between the electrode and the hook thingy. If there's too much gap it wont spark. Also, if the plug looks like it's slightly melted or the metal is white, get a new one. They are cheap enough, and will make all the difference in the world when it comes to the running of the motor.

Good luck.

 

[Ornery]

Just throw another plug in there. I found out the hard way, when I tried to keep using an old one in my mower that wouldn't start. I pulled the plug, cranked it and watched the spark jump the gap. "Well, I guess it ain't the plug," I thought. Screwed around with all kinds of stuff before I tried checking the plug while it was installed. I attached my timing light to it and cranked it. No light. Pulled it and attached the light. It lighted up when cranked. Installed it and tried again. Wouldn't light the timing light while under compression.

Slapped a new plug in and off she went! SOB! :|

Hell, they're only a friggen $1.50! Buy a couple and grab an air filter while you're at it.

 

[BowDown]

Hey he could buy a gallon of gas with that $1.50! LOL

Just trying to save the guy a buck or two... (1-800-COLLECT)