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

i have a older sears snowblower that i think is 8 hp and i had it started like 1 or 2 years ago and i was going to use it this winter and i cleaned out the carb and i cleaned the spark plug and some reason i can't get it to start . It looks like to me its not getting any spark and i don't have a clue what to do now i need some help on why its not getting spark. please help           

                                                                                                                                                                                 Thank You Shawn

I use starting fluid, if you have spark it will start and consume the starting fluid, but only if you have the timing and compression. Gas delivery, I think is the major problem with the newer machines with electronic ignition...

The presence of spark is hard to see, try turning the engine over in the dark..  

Pull the plug and lay it so that the metal part of the plug is on the head or shroud and pull it over. You should see some spark. Like the other post I think that the main problem is that you are getting no fuel. The carb will most deffinately have to be cleaned. If there is no or little compression you may have to have the valves pulled and cleaned also.

If it hasn't run for quite a while the fuel has gone bad. You need to flush out the fuel tank, remove the carb. and clean it with carburetor cleaner. Fill with fresh clean fuel. If you do this it'll run great.

Jake..

I just re-read your post. You mentioned no spark and that it was an older unit. I'm thinking it's equipped with ignition points. They are probably dirty and need to be replaced or at least cleaned.

Jake...