Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi,

I picked up a MTD snow blower that has a 5HP Tecumseh engine (HSSK50).   I bought the snow blower second hand about 3 months ago.  It seemed to run ok then.

About 2 weeks I gave it a test run and noticed that the engine didn't run for more than a couple of seconds.  It would fire up, then run for a few seconds and then slowly die.  It sounded like it was starved for fuel and only running off the fuel from the priming.

After doing some research online I figured that the carb was gummed with the old fuel that it had been in there for months.  I replaced the carb with a new 640084A one, changed the oil and drained the old fuel.  Tonight I just tried it again and I have exactly the same problem.

Any suggestions what to try next?

Thanks,

Tim.

I wasn't able to see the fuel filter.  I have a Tecumseh 5HP HSSK50.  If the fuel filter exists it must be inline on the fuel line between the fuel tank and the carburettor.  I am going to try opening tank lid as another contributor suggested.  I am also going to try playing with the mixture.

Thanks.

My new carb doesn't have a mixture control, so nothing I can do there. I tried starting it with the lid - and same problem.

I am really at a loss here...

any further ideas?

Something is up with that new carb. It may need to be cleaned. Your problem is definitely fuel related (lack of fuel).

Marty

Next time it dies on you check spark right away. You maybe having a coil problem here or at least a spark related problem.

There is plenty of spark, but the plug is dry.

Thanks Marty.

I opened up the bowl of that new carb and it looked pretty clean. There were a few bits of black stuff in the bowl which looked like residue from the fuel line.  To be sure, I clean the jet holes in the brass nut at the bottom of the hole.  Still the same problem.

I rang a local repair shop and they suggested it could possibly be a stuck valve?  Would this explain the symptoms I see?

I took the snowblower to a repairman yesterday - he is going to look into it more thoroughly but his initial diagnosis was lack of compression. Hopefully the valves just need cleaning, and that the rings are not shot.

I bought a 724 Ariens a few weeks ago.  Last week I received a call from the dealer about the Tecumseh engine.  He wanted me to read the build date and other numbers off a decal on the engine.  Apparently they had a recall recently.

could it be a blocked vent in the gas cap.  try again with cap loose or off.    fitting clear fuel line helps checking fuel related problems too.  eric e. still looking for 1988 craftsman  5/28 snowthrower, sears, part number  

Thanks - I have tried it with the cap off.

I gave up and took it to a repair main.  He told me that I have a compression problem that is not easily fixed (he wasn't able to give me the exact cause of the problem, other than the valves look fine).  He recommended that I replace the engine for $330.    Any suggestions where I can track down a reconditioned engine?

Thanks, Tim.