OT: Snow Blower Help!

[zazoo2002]

Greetings winter warriors. So, I purchased my first snow blower a few months back and unfortunately, had a VERY poor inaugural outing. I'm hopeful that a few folks on this board - RU4REAL - can help.

SPECS: MTD Gold 21" 179cc single-stage. Older unit - I believe 2N1

I purchased the unit off of Craig's List, which may have been my first mistake. However, the blower looked brand new, started right up, the auger engaged, etc. I read thru the manual last night, and was encouraged to find that it started-up on the first recoil pull this morning; has an electric start feature too. I let the blower run for a minute or so and then tried to move the choke to the run position, but every time I did that, the engine would start to hesitate. I burned off some of the fuel and refilled it, but again, couldn't move the choke much past the mid-point. So, I tried...but recognize that something isn't right. While it worked - somewhat - it wasn't worth the effort: the chute kept on getting clogged, the unit drifted to the right, felt like there was no propulsion at all and was mostly dead weight in my hands. I also had to angle the blower up, as it felt like the shave plate was causing inertia.

I vacillated between getting a corded electric and a gas blower, but decided on the later, because I was looking for something that would work with deeper snow. I realize that even this unit might be outmatched by King Jonas. Big thanks in advance!

 

[RU4Real]

Most single-stage units are auger-driven. You didn't say, specifically, if yours is wheel-driven.

Regardless, this is a lot of snow for a single-stage. One of my neighbors has one, he gave up this morning after about 15 minutes.

 

[RUforester72]

As far as the clogging chute goes, one thing that may help: when the chute is dry, coat it with Pam or other non-stick cooking oil. It will help.

 

[miker183]

As far as the clogging chute goes, one thing that may help: when the chute is dry, coat it with Pam or other non-stick cooking oil. It will help.

I've also used WD-40 or silicone spray.

 

[Extra Point]

As for needing it choked out to run, you will need to clean the carburetor which requires removing it and taking it apart. I also agree with the other poster, a single stage machine will be over matched with this snow.

 

[Knight Shift]

Had the same problem this morning. I tightened up cable that engages the auger, and that did the trick. There is a YouTube Video that shows how to adjust the tension on the belts. It's pretty easy.

 

[zazoo2002]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

The manual says that the unit is auger-driven. I made sure that there wasn't any slack on the cable. Think I should have the blower serviced or should cleaning the carburetor do the trick? I wasn't even able to effortlessly blow smaller amounts of snow.

 

[Abro1975]

My small engine repair guy says 90percent of hesitating stalling engines is because of bad gas. Get some Gas Stabilizer (any hardware or home depot type place) an follow the instructions on how much to add. Keep in your extra gas can as well. It's cheap and works wonders.

 

[zazoo2002]

BTW: Do any of you guys have a corded electric and just use multiple passes as a way to remove heavier amounts of snow?

 

[Knight Shift]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

The manual says that the unit is auger-driven. I made sure that there wasn't any slack on the cable. Think I should have the blower serviced or should cleaning the carburetor do the trick? I wasn't even able to effortlessly blow smaller amounts of snow.

Your chute may be clogged. Before tightening the cable, I cleared the shoot with the tool that came with the blower (do it while the unit is off), and I also rocked the blower with a lot of force to bang the auger housing hard on the driveway while it was running , and this cleared the snow.

 

[Extra Point]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

The manual says that the unit is auger-driven. I made sure that there wasn't any slack on the cable. Think I should have the blower serviced or should cleaning the carburetor do the trick? I wasn't even able to effortlessly blow smaller amounts of snow.

Cleaning the carburetor will restore the motor's running characteristics, it will run with the choke fully open. The pulling and no propulsion sounds like the rubber augers are worn down and may need replacing.

 

[Extra Point]

My small engine repair guy says 90percent of hesitating stalling engines is because of bad gas. Get some Gas Stabilizer (any hardware or home depot type place) an follow the instructions on how much to add. Keep in your extra gas can as well. It's cheap and works wonders.

A guy I know says that coleman's camp fuel is actually pure gasoline. I was skeptical and I still am, but he ran his brand new machine all of last year with it. It is $13 a gallon though.

 

[Extra Point]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

The manual says that the unit is auger-driven. I made sure that there wasn't any slack on the cable. Think I should have the blower serviced or should cleaning the carburetor do the trick? I wasn't even able to effortlessly blow smaller amounts of snow.

If you don't want to mess with it yourself, bring it in to any lawnmower shop. What you have is better than a corded machine.

 

[mikebal9]

BTW: Do any of you guys have a corded electric and just use multiple passes as a way to remove heavier amounts of snow?

I do. I went to Home Depot before Last winter and bought the cheapest snowblower they sell. Still better than the most expensive shovel I've ever seen.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

As far as the clogging chute goes, one thing that may help: when the chute is dry, coat it with Pam or other non-stick cooking oil. It will help.

I'm sorry, are you saying Pam, or Pan?

 

[Veiox]

It is starving for gas due to either bad gas or gummed up carb. Leaving the choke on increases amount of gas in fuel/air ratio. Hopefully you have a gas shut off valve. If so, turn it off and loosen the bolt under carburetor making sure you have a funnel/container to capture the draining gas. Once drained take off bolt and clean out the jet holes. Use a thin strand of copper wire and do not gouge the jet holes as they are precision machined. If you have no copper wire strands then you can use the wire strand from and old twist garbage tie after taking off the plastic coating. Be careful and gentle.

There should be a larger hole and a tiny pin hole that is the first thing to get clogged. Even though this is not exactly like your bolt the idea is the same and look how tiny the pin hole jet is:

Another example:

 

[Piscataway]

BTW: Do any of you guys have a corded electric and just use multiple passes as a way to remove heavier amounts of snow?

I have a a 10 yr old Troybilt 5.5hp and with stuff like this I make 1/2 cuts and still have to back track sometimes or feather the clutch. Otherwise it will stall.

 

[Veiox]

I think your carburetor look like this:

 

[rutgersguy1]

I'm not a mechanical expert at all so my advice is just through experience. I had the same engine problem with a 2 stage 15 yr old MTD I used to own. It was carburetor issue and I got it serviced. Put stabil in it during the offseason and run it once in the offseason after you get the problem fixed to try and prevent it from happening again. I also close the fuel valve after. I don't know if that makes a difference but I do it.

I got a 2 stage Ariens from HD last year and had a similar wheel issue you had where it would drift and I didn't realize the axle pins weren't going through the axle so that was making it drift to one side. Once I fixed that everything was ok. I don't know if single stage blowers have those same axle pins.

 

[zazoo2002]

The RU community is the best! Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Curious, should the blower feel very heavy? It felt like 100lbs of dead weight. I'm hopeful that, once fixed, it will feel more maneuverable.

 

[DHajekRC84]

my Craftsman (which I thought was all set cause I had run it in late summer) had the classic issue. Wouldn't run except full choke. I just spent 2 hours today fooling with it and did everything except take the carb off. Pulled the float out, clean the inside, changed the gas...everything except find the jet hole and run a wire thru it (I did shoot some compressed air up it though) now it won't even start.

With 3-4ft of snow I don't think it even matters cause this baby's gonna blow up trying to use it now. But tomorrow I guess I got to take the damn carb off and go that route. Need to put a filter on it even though I use all the right mixes and keep the fuel fresh. Small engines area a PITA.

The generator had a frozen fuel line even though I drained that this summer. It somehow had water and froze. Had to bring that in the garage and blow some hot air on it for 3 hours yesterday to unfreeze it.

My winter storm excitement went downhill real fast this time.

 

[wisr01]

Hope this video helps someone. Thursday I started my 20 year old snowblower and had the classic won't run without the choke. Did the 5-minute carb clean and it is running like new today.

 

[superfan01]

OP should call into Mike Francessa. Nobody is better with the snow blowah than da king.

#numbah1

 

[Knight Shift]

I'm not a mechanical expert at all so my advice is just through experience. I had the same engine problem with a 2 stage 15 yr old MTD I used to own. It was carburetor issue and I got it serviced. Put stabil in it during the offseason and run it once in the offseason after you get the problem fixed to try and prevent it from happening again. I also close the fuel valve after. I don't know if that makes a difference but I do it.

I got a 2 stage Ariens from HD last year and had a similar wheel issue you had where it would drift and I didn't realize the axle pins weren't going through the axle so that was making it drift to one side. Once I fixed that everything was ok. I don't know if single stage blowers have those same axle pins.

Motorheads and mechanics say Stabil is bad. StarBrite makes a product called StarTron that is considered better than Stabil by some. The link below provides a step by step on how to clean carburetor jets for a a generator, but the same principles apply to any gas powered snowblower, lawnmower, rototiller, etc. engine carburetor.
http://prepforshtf.com/how-to-clean-generator-carburetor/#.VqL1H1JgogU

 

[beaced]

As far as the clogging chute goes, one thing that may help: when the chute is dry, coat it with Pam or other non-stick cooking oil. It will help.

Zappaa may know this story.Many years ago,Phil Rizzuto was using his snow blower to clear sidewalks or driveway and it clogged.Tried to clear it by hand.Motor was still on. He cleared it but it cost him a couple of fingertips.I believe he lived on Westminster Ave. In Hillside at the time.

 

[rutgersguy1]

Motorheads and mechanics say Stabil is bad. StarBrite makes a product called StarTron that is considered better than Stabil by some. The link below provides a step by step on how to clean carburetor jets for a a generator, but the same principles apply to any gas powered snowblower, lawnmower, rototiller, etc. engine carburetor.
http://prepforshtf.com/how-to-clean-generator-carburetor/#.VqL1H1JgogU

I'm too "dumb" to go that far with mechanical stuff. Really elementary stuff like change a spark plug, change the oil, etc..sure and I assembled the snow blower too but beyond that forget it for me. I'll send it to the service guy. Is star brite something you can buy at HD or Pep Boys? I don't recall seeing it but it may have been there. I was always told stabil but like I said I don't know squat.

 

[wisr01]

I'm too "dumb" to go that far with mechanical stuff. Really elementary stuff like change a spark plug, change the oil, etc..sure and I assembled the snow blower too but beyond that forget it for me. I'll send it to the service guy. Is star brite something you can buy at HD or Pep Boys? I don't recall seeing it but it may have been there. I was always told stabil but like I said I don't know squat.

Some HD's will have it. Go online and check your local HD stock.

 

[LC-88]

Could also be your fuel filter is clogged. Also check air filter. Run the engine for about 15 seconds with air filter off (in the garage) and see if it runs better. If yes, then replace or clean air filter.

If your gas has been sitting around for more than 90 days, that may also be your issue. Drain and refill.

Coleman fuel is a type of NAPHTHA aka lighter fluid or white gas. Also used as a solvent. Other types of NAPHTHA are used in producing gasoline. Stuff is very flammable. I would not recommend using it. If you live near Pennsylvania, you may be able to find a gas station that sells ethanol free gas.

Good luck. Please fix your snow blower as soon as possible. Once it is fixed, it will never snow again. :)

 

[rutgersal]

Trade it in on a single stage Honda. Went through the snow like a champ. Honda reliability.

 

[Raritan83]

Before doing anything with a carburetor try some sea foam. I left the gas in all year. This fall it wouldn't start or would start and die once I moved the clutch. I bought sea foam added it and here I was today snowblowing.

 

[RU4Real]

Trade it in on a single stage Honda. Went through the snow like a champ. Honda reliability.

Your act has grown tiresome.

 

[wisr01]

Before doing anything with a carburetor try some sea foam. I left the gas in all year. This fall it wouldn't start or would start and die once I moved the clutch. I bought sea foam added it and here I was today snowblowing.

I have heard that sea foam works. I have also heard that Mechanic in a Bottle has saved the day for a few guys as well.

 

[RUBand]

Most single-stage units are auger-driven. You didn't say, specifically, if yours is wheel-driven.

Regardless, this is a lot of snow for a single-stage. One of my neighbors has one, he gave up this morning after about 15 minutes.

During the off-season buy a nice, slightly larger than you think you might need snow thrower, then when a big storm hits, fire that baby up, throttle up, and say goodbye snow.

 

[rutgersal]

Your act has grown tiresome.

Not an act. The Hinda single stage is an impressive piece of machinery and handled today's snow like a champ. At $700, it's pricey, but worth it, IMO. It's small, rugged, and maneuverable, and gets the job done.

 

[wisr01]

I bought my Murray Ultra 8HP snowblower 20 years ago. Still works like a champ. It is near the top of the list of the best purchases I have ever made. I have two driveways that are each over 100 feet long and on a steep incline. It has delivered every time for 20 years. I keep saying I am going to retire it and by a new one but it keeps doing it's job like a champ.

 

[LC-88]

SeaFoam worked miracles on my ATV's carbed engine. Same with my generator, and many two-strokes. Add it, run it. Sometimes you have to let it sit overnight (after running with it in the tank for a few minutes) before it does its magic.

 

[rutgersguy1]

Thanks guys. For people who really don't have much of a clue when it comes to mechanical stuff, knowing about star tron, sea foam, mechanic in a bottle are all good tips to know for the future if I ever have an issue.

 

[wheezer]

SeaFoam worked miracles on my ATV's carbed engine. Same with my generator, and many two-strokes. Add it, run it. Sometimes you have to let it sit overnight (after running with it in the tank for a few minutes) before it does its magic.

------
I bought a toro about 3 years ago..... The shop owner told me to add "ethanol shield" to the gas I put in my blower..... I guess this does pretty much what the product in the video above does... The amount of the product added is only a few cc's per gallon, not a large amount as shown in the video, but in the demonstration he used a lot of water

.. Every year I run the tank dry at the end of the season, add new gas with the ethanol shield in early December.....Did the same with my old snow blower and it would always start and run.

He also said to stay away from using stabile, why I do not know

 

[Bagarocks]

SeaFoam worked miracles on my ATV's carbed engine. Same with my generator, and many two-strokes. Add it, run it. Sometimes you have to let it sit overnight (after running with it in the tank for a few minutes) before it does its magic.

I was bout to champion Seafoam and see you already have, always have a can in the cabinet

 

[RU Golfer]

Hope this video helps someone. Thursday I started my 20 year old snowblower and had the classic won't run without the choke. Did the 5-minute carb clean and it is running like new today.

View embedded media

Had to do this for both of my neighbors yesterday.....I always put startron in my fuel so it stays. And always turn the gas off and let the machine run until it dies out at the end of the season so there is no gas left in the carb over the summer.