SMG.. needs snow blower engine advise

[Lee Borgersen]

OK, here's my situation.
 
Some dude was throwing out a snow blower and it was the same model Toro as my oldie, but with electric start. This one looked like it came off the showroom floor and mine is dying of ware and tare disease. Since I have no shame I figured I'd turn the car around and garbage pick it.
 
Of course as soon as I pulled up the owner comes out and say's I'll help you put it in your trunk. I asked him what's wrong with it and he say's "it just quit running and the electric start don't work." It looked so clean and shinny I couldn't pass it up. I put it in the Garage with big plans.
 
Unfortunately as usual it just sat there like most of my projects until winter Storm Warnings were forecast. This awoke me from my vegetative state and I came out of my coma. Now I'm a lousy handy man ( just ask my wife) so here's what I did so far and I need HELP!
 
1. Drained out the old gas
2. Put in new gas/oil
3. Replaced old spark plug
4. Pulled off cover to get access to carburetor
5. Tested electric start (works fine)
6. primed carburetor
Engine still won't start? Not even a hint of firing.
7. Sprayed starting fluid in carb and she starts and dies after fluid runs out
8. Kept finger on the elec. start button while continuing to spray starting fluid and she runs till I stop spraying.
 
It seems like it's starving for fuel. I'm not much on mechanics and everything I touch turns to s**t.
 
Anyone have any reasonable suggestions other than taking it in to a repair shop?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
 
SMG

[supercruiser]

This may be a stupid question but have you checked to make sure there isn't a fuel shutoff valve that may be closed or if there is an obstruction in the fuel line and or tank. Just a thought. I once spent an hour trying to fix and outboard motor that had o problem except it was in the off position so things can be forgotten.

[schwinger]

The next easy thing to check is the fuel filter, if it has one and it should. Could be plugged or depending on how long it sat at the other guys place it may have had some water in it and froze during the recent cold weather. Other than that I would check the carb itself for leaky gaskets and plugged ports.

[Dr.Bob]

Toss it in your boat and I'll check it out for ya in July.  Of course it may take a while, but you should be able to take it  back home the following July if not - then for sure by the July after that.

[WoodChuck]

   reads like you probably have the answer there some where ! if not try the B.F.H. APPROACH!  it works every time ?   

[oraksb]

Prolly have a varnished up carb....get some seafoam and pour a shot of that into the carb if ya can..let it sit for a while then try and fire it up...

[DIRTBALL2]

SMG, I usually use the B.F.H. method if all else fails. In your case, I think I might know what your problem is. I've had a Toro snowblower since shortly after dirt was invented. It always runs great, start's easily, plenty power, etc. etc... However, it has one maddening idiosyncrisy! The !*^&#@*(*^^ float in the carburator always sticks! It has never failed. Every fall, when I am getting it ready for winter use, I know I have to take the carberator apart and free up that blankety blank float! Even when I remember to shut off the fuel and run the engine until it's dry, the dam thing will still stick. I've found out that it's easier to do this if you remove the carb from the engine first. Just do it carefully so you don't get gas draining everywhere. It really isn't very difficult. Just take a real good look at the linkage before you remove it and remember where everything goes. If you do forget, just go to the Toro website and type in the model number and the serial number and you should be able to come up with a complete diagram of the engine you are working on. If you run into any problems or have any more questions, feel free to drop me a PM. Let us know how you make out. Good luck! DIRTBALL2

[Faceman]

SMG, If I read it right it is the same model as your oldie right? If it is you could swap the carbs over. Otherwise as some one else suggested check the filter and the lines to the tank to be sure they are free. Good luck.

[Woody]

SMG, I'm alot like you when it comes to mechanical things.  I have to agree that you might want to change out the fuel filter.  And heck-as long as your at the store-get some replacement gas line too.  It's cheap-and then you can rule that out as well!  (Don't forget new hose clamps!)

The like Faceman said-if the carbs match up-swap them out.  I've never used seafoam, but I have used Carb Medic carb cleaner.  It's made by GUNK brand.  Make sure to get Carb Medic though-it will clean the varnish off as soon as you spray it on! 

*I used it on my old TBI (Throttle Body Injector-for my truck) and was amazed how quick it cleaned off old varnish!  As soon as I cleaned that up-it ran fine.  I always have a can of it on hand nowdays. 

[Lee Borgersen]

I just wanted to thank all you guys that that posted suggestions to help me fix the snow blower that I garbage picked.

 After months of leaving it sit in the garage all winter I decided to give it one last shot to see if I could get it to run.

What better day to work on a snow blower than a day when it's 77 degrees. I removed the bowl from the bottom of the carburetor and sprayed the crap out of the carb with carb cleaner. Let it sit in the sun for 2 hrs and replaced the bowl. filled her with gas, primed it, choked it and she kicked right over. It runs like new.

Thanks again  :rock:

[JD]

That's good to hear, it's amazing how one little thing can fix such a big problem.

[Grute Man]

You got that right, LA.  The first thing I ever check is the air filter.  Im no mechanic but this has helped me many times over.

Quite the good eye on you SMG.     :detective:

[Big Slick]

Im no mechanic but this has helped me many times over.


You have got that right...Snowblowers don't have air cleaners. :ROTFLMAO:

[Grute Man]

 Yeah I knew that   

I was just using that as an example yeah thats it.

All I can hope for is that I don't say anything stupider again today. 

I know -- too late.

[holdemtwice]

are you sure bout that ???  no air cleaner in a snow blower   ???    :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO:

[Harold]

SMG - All through High School, I worked on the garbage truck, running all over the Northland.  You should have seen some of the nice stuff I encountered.  Especially from the folks who were tearing down old cabins and putting up new mansions on the area lakes.

I'm glad to hear you worked it out.  Seeing that I'm an ace mechanic (ask Dr. Bob), that was the first thing I was going to tell you to do.

And if you believe that, I have a nice 40 on Basswood I'll sell ya.

[Big Slick]

If you have an air cleaner on a snowblower it is either a small two stroke engine or someone put one on yours before you bought it. I have never seen a 4 stroke snowblower with an air cleaner as there is no dust in the winter.

[Fawkinnae]

Haa haa. aka Dr. Deadline.

Toss it in your boat and I'll check it out for ya in July.  Of course it may take a while, but you should be able to take it  back home the following July if not - then for sure by the July after that.

[Lee Borgersen]

After reading all the comments about the air filter or no air filter I was confused. So, I decided to check and see for myself. :detective:

 I got this thing stripped down to the bone and can't find any air filter. After 45 min trying to put it back together I went to start it up and it won't start  :death2:

[schwinger]

So you played with it until you broke it. Way to go.  :ROTFLMAO:

I am sure you will get it figured out. I hope so anyway.

[Harold]

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Borgersen]

Early April Fools!

Yust kiddin :ROTFLMAO:  :ROTFLMAO:  :ROTFLMAO:

[iceman]

Early April Fools!

now your the fool it's only march 26

[Lee Borgersen]

Check my post. "I stated early April Fools "

[iceman]

yea i know i was just razing you.. :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO:

[Lee Borgersen]

                               




                                    :-*

[Lee Borgersen]

Just a quick follow up on the Toro snow blower that I garbage picked last Spring.
This season we have had more than our share of snow. Thanks to all the help I got from the folks on MNO she is running like a banshee now and I saved a bunch of $$$$$.

This is a great site and there is always someone willing to step up and try to help a guy out.