I am about to buy Sears Craftman 5.5HP, 2 stage, Snow Thrower with, Electric Start, 24" wide, 21" high clearing path (Mfr. Model #31AS6BCE799, Sears Item #07188355000).
It has a Tecumseh Engine. I looked in Tecumseh Web site which shows 5.5HP engine in Premium Line (Standard Line shows only 5.0HP Engine).
Also I read the discussion about "Tecumseh vs Briggs and Stratton Engine" which indicates me that Tecumseh Engines has lots of problems, not good support from manufacturer, does not last, uses oil soon (I had a Ford Taurus and Mercury Marquis both were using oil after 50000 miles with other problems as well, which made me cross mark Ford, while the GM cars, Honda cars I owned never used single drop of oil even after above 100000 miles, which I think indicates the quality of material and design of engines).
After the reading I researched the other brand snow throwers namely: Troy Bilt, White Outdoor, MTD, Sears Craftman, Toro, Ariens, Husqvarna, Poulan Pro and 6 or more other brand name all uses Tecumseh Snow King Engines. So I think I do not have much choices. And I do not like to spend lots of money for it also.
Did Briggs and Stratton stop making engines for Snow Thrower ? (I have seen Sears Craftman 6.5HP Snow Thrower with B & S Engine).
Can you tell me the average life of Tecumseh Engine for Snow Thrower without problem ? Does the above problems arise due to lake of proper maintenance like oil chage ?
I am kind of hesitating buying the Snow Thrower with Tecumseh Engine.
Thanks for your advise.
