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

I'm going round and round with good/bad here.  Ariens 926le,  Lhead 9.25 tecumseh.  Approximately 10 hours on the engine.  Oil changed at 2.5 hours.  filled with the exact amount of Mobil1 fully synthetic 5w-30 as measured with a measring cup.  I just noticed as I tried to climb through EOD of about 2-3 ft.  & I let the machine climb rather than dig and I see a few spots of oil on the snow.  I shut the machine down immediately.  Push it to the garage and check the drain tube & plug----no leaks.  I wipe all oil and begin to inspect the engine.  I see oil on the side of the block and look closer to find a rubber hose about 3 inches long, pointing straight down that looks like the source of the oil and that side of the block is covered in oil, but it looks like it was blown and not dripped.    It is is on the left hand side of the engine from the control position.  I have checked the level of the oil and it is dead between the hashmarks. 

Is this normal for a Tecumseh?  Because if it is, I am very unimpressed and will be taking the thing back immediately.  If anyone has experienced this or heard of it, please let me know

I am riding the Ariens rollercoaster here,  one minute it is a fantastic machine, then, boom something like this.  I was afraid of the Tecumseh, but it seems to be the standard.  Never had a B&S do this or blow oil in 28 years of using them,  2 Tecumsehs,  well, first one made it 5 years, now this.........HELP Please.

Well,

I ran the blower for about another 3 hours.  Not a single drop of oil or sign of it blowing.  Apparently, when the machin tilts back towards the controls with the engine under load, at a certain point, it will simulate an overfill condition.  Keep in mind, it was only 3-5 drops, not a large amount.  I did not "climb" any more piles & never saw the drip again.  As for the machine being overfilled, I really don't think so since I let the machine drain for about 15 mins and filled it to 26oz, checking along the way.  The oil is basically right where I filled it to. 

I'll still keep an eye on it, but, for now, I feel pretty confident that it is a simulated overfill and blowback.

Ok I've been an ariens user for more than twenty five years now and the oil you are seeing, I assume its spots and not a streak, is normal. I never did learn just whats does this as I asked my dealer who has been selling and servicing them for as lomg as I can remember and I am 65...
It's just blow by or oil bolwing through the breather, not to worry mine had not run out yet and Ive had it for sixteen years. Check the oil before eash use and if you in a snow area , Amherst is one, change the oil twice during the season and be sure to greasr=e the machine according to the manual, it will last a lifetime.
You have a good machine, one of the best for moving snow, use the lower gears and allow the machine to do the work but do not hurry it, blow snow in low gears 1 2 if manual drive system, any faster will just overheat the unit..

PhilC

Hi Sailor, I have the same machine 926le. Mine was also purchased from HD last season. I have had oil come out of the breather. The first time was because i had too much oil in it. Never really noticed again with the correct level in it untill last big snow. Had a little dripping but no big deal oil level is ok.  I have a tip for you in starting. Go to HD. get a new E 3 spark plug.  I think ours takes  E3.10.  I had trouble starting at first untill I put that plug in. I start with one pull now.  Choke full.  Prime 4 times.  Pause a second between primes. It helped me. Take Care,