Originally Posted by Frank Rosenbaum

Thanks for your thoughts, Srgnt. Don't forget that it sat all summer without
any gas additive, even though I ran it dry last spring.
I had the shroud off yesterday and there was no obstruction of the choke. It
moved with the lever.
When it dies, it is almost as if I pushed the throttle lever to the off
position. Nothing will keep it running. But if I push the primer button
three times, it will start right up again.
As an addendum, I put the gas that was in the can into my car, and bought a
fresh can and tried to use that with some gumout. It was no help. I will try
again this morning.



"Srgnt Billko" wrote in message
...

"Mike" wrote in message
. ..
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.


Geez Mike - 2 years old ? Doesn't seem like it would have had a chance to
get "dirty" or gummed up - and if it some times runs for 20 or 30 minutes
I'd be looking for something else. It's easy (and cheap) to replace the
spark plug. I've had mice nests under the shroud that cause motors to
overheat. Is the choke opening up all the way ? If not, it would be
starving for gas after heating up.


"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