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

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.

Tec and Briggs are both good engines!!

Just have to maintain them properly.

Correct oil and correct amount!!!

I might reccomend the Ariens 724 electric start for about $700.00.

It is twice the machine you are looking at  both in quality and performance for about $200.00 more than the Cradtsman blower.

                                                              Fred

Ariens has used Tecumseh engines exclusively for 30+ years. Ariens is a premium brand & well known for their good equipment. 'Nuff said...

Most snowblower owners don't ever change oil or even check it - therefore yes, there will be engine problems if one follows this type of care. A Tecumseh may not be as tolerant to a low oil condition as a Briggs Stratton, thats a FACT. Since there are more VAST numbers of Tecumseh snow engines out there (another FACT) & since they pretty much dominated the snow engine business for years, why wouldn't one hear of so many failures? Something to think about!

Since you seem to be already soured on Tecumsehs, shop elsewhere & get a machine with a Briggs. Then you don't have to be as stringent with oil maintenance. Well, maybe...

Marty FORMERLY MAJORXLR8N

Hi,

I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR YOUR GOOD ADVISE. Especially when I am not much experienced with the Snow Thrower item. And I read some points about Tecumseh Engines. Your answer certainly helpful.

Does the Tecumseh Engines burn oils within one or two years of use between the specified oil change interval ? If it does,  I think it is a big problem with the design and quality of engine material especially the cylinder lining I think. Because one would not check oil so frequent. I do always change oil of all my cars every 3000 miles even the transmission oil also every 15K to 30K miles as required (even though my Ford Windstar transmission gone and had to replace at 50000 miles - NO HELP from Ford or Ford Dealer, Ford Dealer had worked on just 6 months beofre for leaking transmission oil under extended warrenty). But I DONOT usually check oil in-between oilchanges assuming it should be OK unless engine burns oils or leaking somewhere. But Ford Engines especially you can not trust.

For a knowledge point, let me  ask, do you think manufacturer ever looks at these kind of discussion and review websites and learn lesson from it ? If they do, they can know the flows in their products and improve the quality of them.

narendra10 wrote:

I need to say nothing more after reading that phrase...

Marty FORMERLY MAJORXLR8N

Tecumseh engines for snowblowers comes in two flavours, "L" head and OHV. The "L" head is reputed to be more sensitive to a low oil condition than an OHV engine. The OHV engines are supposed to have more torque at lower RPMs. They are supposedly "quieter" but that is relative, neither one is  "quiet".

Either way,  both manufacturers state that you should check the oil level every time before starting the engine. Given the cost of a blown engine its good advice and cheap insurance. Regular changes per the manual is also a good idea.

narendra10 wrote:

Maybe they ought to check the "FLOWS" in their Customers. I own a Craftsman II with an 8hp 27"path Snowthrower with Electric Start. People laugh and make fun because my Snowthrower gets washed and waxed every spring and before the first snowfall, it gets lubed, belts adjusted, new plug and fuel (WHETHER IT NEEDS IT OR NOT!!!!) I've been accused of wasting money as a spark plug will last 5-6 years given the amount of use they get per season. My response, "So what!!" It cost's me $12-$15 a season to get my machine ready for the whole winter and if you can't afford that once a year, maybe you shouldn't own a Snowthrower.

Not checking your oil, assuming it is ok is plain and simply RETARDED!!!! You should check your oil EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU GO TO START IT!!!

Sincerely, my Snowthrower looks exactly like the day I bought it and I have NEVER had a problem with it. Incidentally, it just turned 12 years old!

Thanks for reading people!!!

Mac 

A Tecumseh engine will last a lifetime, however, there is a catch, YOU HAVE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEM!!!!!!

Mac

I had a 1993 or 94 Craftsman 10 h.p. Tec engine.  I did frequent oil checks for the first couple of seasons of operation.  Once I had determined that it did not use or lose oil, I'd check it every couple of weeks.  My old L head never had oil issues.  I bought a new Simplicity and sold the Craftsman a couple months ago even though it started first pull and still ran great.  Original spark plug by the way.  Twelve years old.  One oil change a year was pretty much it other than grease /lube and replacement of wear parts (skids, scraper bar and auger belt).

Hi Guys!

Narendra- You take care of it and it will take care of you!!!!  Read your manual,change your oil at regular intervals use fuel stabilizer religiously. I am of the school of thought that if you close the fuel shut off after each use and let the engine run the carburetor dry you won't have any trouble with the carburetor either.As far as oil use is concerned I own several 30 year old Tecumseh powered outdoor power equiptment units of various types and have never had an issue with oil consumption.

 Spend a few dollars and put an hour meter on the engine and change the oil once a season/25 hours and  engine longevity won't be an issue regardless of what brand engine you use.

 Marc 

mml4 wrote:

Good advice Marc. 

I do the carb drain as well but usually at the end of the season so that the machine doesn't sit with fuel in the carb for several months.