I'm surprised to hear this is happening on a machine that is two years old.
Did the machine ever sit for a long period of time with old gas? Snow blower
engines don't usually have air cleaners on them (mine doesn't; I've worked
on many that didn't). The whole reasoning with that is the season they're
used for is not dusty. Winter air is somewhat clean.

If the gumout doesn't help in a tankful, then there's a good chance it will
require some manual cleaning. Do you know the model and make of your blower?
I can try to find out what engine it is.


"Frank Rosenbaum" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the advice. This is its second winter. It was new last year. I
forgot to add that I put some gumout in the fuel. How long does it take to
'work'? (Should I just try to let it run out of this tank of gas and
refill it again?) {Even at $2.25 a gal. Gas is still cheaper than a trip
to the repair shop.}
There is no easily removable air cleaner. There is a shield next to the
exhaust that covers the throttle, choke and 'key'. But the choke knob does
not seem come off easily, if at all, and I am hesitant to force it. I
could not find a model number for the engine. It is a 4 stroke I think it
is a 5 horsepower two stage blower.

I did not see any filters in the gas line between the tank and where it
disappears into the engine body.

The tube seems to be creased where it bends from the tank to the body, but
since it is a soft tube, I don't think that is the problem.

What else can I add?

Thanks again

Frank

Still in snowy Michigan with about 4 more inches predicted by tomorrow

"Mike" wrote in message
. ..
Depending on the age of your blower, it sounds like your carb might be
dirty. Especially when you say it starts fine with the primer. You
already ruled out the possibility of it being a "gravity" feed problem by
loosening the cap, so that shouldn't be the issue.

Do you have an inline filter going to the carb? I'd check that to make
sure it's not clogged. If you want to attempt repair by yourself, it
shouldn't be too much of a challenge. I would pick up a repair manual for
your model Tecumseh so you can get an idea of the work involved before
you start. As long as you have a socket/wrench set, screwdrivers, and
regular and needle nose pliers. If there are jets in the carb that can be
taken out with a screw driver, make sure your screwdriver is the right
size, otherwise you may end up stripping it (I've done this many of
times). Just make sure the screw driver is snug with the jet.

I think the Tecumseh engines have a fixed jet in the bowl (again,
depending on age). You may get lucky just by blowing the jets with
compressed air (I assume you have an air compressor).

Have you tried running a bottle of Gumout carb cleaner through the tank?
Pick up some of that and mix it in proportion (one bottle treats a tank
full in a car!). This shouldn't be too critical since it's combustible
and is somewhat like a fuel.

The theory of carburetors isn't difficult, so learning a little about
them definitely may pay off for you in the future and save you lots of
money. Knowledge learned now can be applied to your other pieces of
equipment (weed wacker, chain saw, etc.). I've been in the small engine
repair business for years, so feel free to ask any questions.

Mike

"Frank Rosenbaum" wrote in message
...
Hi, all. I have a problem with my Yardman/Tecumseh snowblower stalling.
It was run out of gas in the spring and worked ok for the first two
times this year. Now, sometimes it will run for 20 or 30 minutes and
then stall other times it won't even run long enough for me to get back
to the handlebars. It always restarts if I push the primer button, but
doesn't always stay running. The gas cap was dropped and the rubber part
and the foam part came out. (Am I missing any pieces?) I think I put it
back together the right way. (Foam on the post then covered by the
rubber funnel with the wide part inside the cap and the narrow part
facing into the gas tank). I have also run the blower with the cap
loose. There is fresh gas in the tank. When the blower stalls, it almost
sounds as if it isn't getting enough gas. I am not at all familiar with
engines so I don't know where to start. I don't want to take it apart
myself, but I will if it can be fixed by a DIY.

Can anyone help??


Thanks

Frank in Snowy Michigan