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

Sears had a recall last summer-fall to fix these machines because of a concern about fire when primed.  They offered an oil change, new spark plug along with the new fix. 

The technician arrived at 9 am on a September day and acted very nervous and shaky when he worked on the machine.  I asked him if he was ok and he responded that he had too many recall type service calls and not enough time in the day.  He kept rushing and scattered screws and parts all over the place.  I gave him a plastic container to hold the parts while he worked.  When he put it all back together and was ready to leave, I asked him to start the machine for a test run.  He ran it for thirty seconds or so, shut it down and I assumed it was ok.  I should have test run it again in November but took it for granted that all was ok. 

I have only used this machine ONCE.  It was last February 2007.  Purchased in February 2006, it sat for a year unused in a snowless winter.  I have a feeling the troubled technician's bad day is now haunting me.  Sears can only send a tech out on January 2, 2008 so I'm stuck with a machine sitting out half the winter.  (I did have the urge not to have Sears do this fix but they were fairly aggressive with mailings, etc.)  The machine is also under the extended warranty I purchased. 

Anyone else out there who had Sears call on them for this so-called fix?

I tried the pull start first with choke on full (primed with two shots as required).  After waiting several minutes, I then tried the electric start after I walked through the owner's manual check list with everything in place and it still won't start!  I returned 30 minutes later to try again and still no start.

Check to make sure you have fuel in the tank.  Look for a fuel valve from the tank to the carb.  If it has one, make sure it's turned on and also ensure the fuel line is attached at the carb and the fuel tank.  Make sure key is in, put throttle to 3/4 position, engage choke, prime 5 or 6 times, try to start.  Repeat as necessary.  Your primer line may need more pumps to get fuel to the carb after sitting unused for so long.    If after three repeats of the above instructions the machine still doesn't start, pull the spark plug to see if it's wet or dry.  If it's wet, you're getting fuel and the machine should fire by putting the throttle to full and disengaging the choke.   If it's dry, your float might be stuck.  You can try tapping the float bowl with the handle of a screw driver to see if that loosens the float (a couple sharp whacks should do).  If you still don't get fuel, the float bowl will have to come off to see if there's a contamination problem.   

I'd drain the tank and put fresh fuel in as well, if you are running with gas that is a year old that might be the problem.

I had a recent problem which turned out to be splits at both ends of the tube that connected my primer bulb to the carburettor. When I replaced that I could hear the suction and fuel moving again. The parts guy said they this was happening more often due to alcohol being added to the fuel. It dries out rubber parts faster. Once I replaced it the engine started quite easily. I had previously tried turning it over and priming for quite a while.

Thanks for both replies.

I added a full tank of fresh gas in November (along with the proper amount of STA-BIL).  I'm going to try loosening the gas cap on my next attempt.  Been busy shoveling out.  I'm hoping there's someone else out there who has had the same experience when the Sears grinch visited.  I'm also wondering if the recall fix was redesign overkill in order to protect the company and the consumer from harm.

Thanks again!

I assume your engine is a Briggs&Stratton that required the recall.  I had my engine done when I bought my machine in October.  No problem with it at all.  As a matter of fact, I usually don't use the choke.  I'll prime it two or three times and get it running.  If it starts to stall I give it another prime and it's good to go.  Did you try doing what we have suggested?

I primed the engine with four shots and then did a pull-start.  It started, ran for three seconds and quit.  Progress!  I did this a few times and it would quit each time.  Seems to me its only running on the primed raw gas.  I also tried an electric start back-to-back with the pull and it ran for three seconds. 

Had to put it away and do other things on my schedule.

Borat:  Your suggestion on more priming shots than recommended by Sears sounds interesting.  I hadn't read your input when I was working on the machine.  I hesitated to use more shots than recommended because of concern for fire.  I'll give it a try on another day with more priming.  Coincidently, I always prime my lawnmower with more shots than recommended and it works for me.

This machine always started quickly before the recall visit and fix by Sears.  I would start it up and run it for about ten minutes.  I have a $#%*mins Onan generator and I run it once a month for two hours according to recommendations.  Starts like a charm everytime.

I'll return here with results when I find time in the next couple of days to try again.  Weather is going down here in New England over the weekend. . . . mostly rain and mix.

When you briefly have it running and it starts to die, give it another prime.   Keep doing that to keep it running for 30 seconds to a minute.  If it doesn't stay running after that, I'd say check your fuel line to the carb and gas tank first. If that's good, get a small hose and siphon some fuel out of the lowest part of the fuel tank and drain it into a clear container to see if it has water and dirt in it.  If it does, drain all fuel out of the tank and clean it as good as you can get it.  Also disconnect your fuel line from the carb and drain that.  When that's done,  it's time to pull the float bowl and have a look in there for dirt/water.  clean as required and re-assemble.   If it still doesn't go, I'd pull the carb right off the machine and give it a thorough cleaning and blow out orifices with compressed air.   By the way, if you have the machine stored in a place where it's below freezing, you may not get any water out of the fuel tank because it will be frozen.  You could possibly have ice in your float bowl as well. 

Except for my occassional running during the off season to excercise the machine by adding small amounts of gas, the gas tank has been empty since last winter.  Therefore bad gas and water & ice I don't think are the problems.  It has been stored in my cold, unheated garage with an empty tank. 

You offer good logical advice and I'll follow-through with some of your suggestions regarding continuous running by pumping the primer during the first minute or so.  I'm under warrantee and a Sears technician will be here on Jan. 2 for the fix.  I'll leave the carburator inspection, etc. to him.

Thanks again and I'll be back soon.

My Craftsman Snowthrower 8.0 hp 27" was also part of the recall.  It has started up fine with the electric start for two winters.  The technician who placed the screen on the carburetor and gave it a free tune-up over the summer also crank-started it just fine.  I was on the phone for 3 hours today with the Sears support line.  We tried everything mentioned in this thread, except my model doesn't have a throttle.  After all that, and even after flushing a possible vapor lock in the carburetor, it won't start.  The techie walked me through taking the screw out of the bottom of the carburetor to drain what possible old gas was in there.  Took the screw off expecting a flood of stuff, but nothing came out.  After that, I drained the gas tank using the fuel line that goes into the carburetor.  Refilled the tank with totally fresh gas.  Still not turning over.  Support said that the only calls coming in from the northeast today were from people with machines in the recall.  Support also said that the nnew screen on the carburetor, especially in the cold weather, was making gas have a harder time getting into the carb.  They told me to prime 8-10 times, not just the 2 it says on the sticker on the machine.  I primed and primed and nothing worked.  Checked the spark plug and it was completely dry.  Tomorrow I'm going to try spraying the smallest amount possible, maybe half an eye dropper full, of raw gas onto that new screen where the air intake to the carburetor is, while using the electric start.  It used to work on old cars in my younger Motor City days.  But from the sound of your 3-second runs, even that might not get the gas flowing.  Also toyed with taking the front of that screen off altogether.  My technician appointment isn't until Jan. 11, 2008.  It would probably be faster to deliver it to the Sears in Framingham, where I bought it.

Almichell:  Guess I should have titled this thread "Sears Recall" to attract others like you who have had a problem.  I didn't know Sears had a helpline.  I called service, she asked questions like, "do you have any gas in the machine"?  Had all I could do to restrain myself.  Told her I used to fly airplanes, she backed off (present yourself as a stereotype, it often works in our impressionable society) and set up an appointment for a field technician.

Thanks!  Your input was a big help.  It does say that Sears over-engineered the fix by saving ourselves from ourselves. 

Sears in Framingham?  I live south of Boston and bought mine from a local Sears.  (sorry, I don't like to provide personal info or pinpoint locations on the web)  By the way, snow tonight changing to sleet and rain on Sunday.  I love New England and the four seasons.  You won't find me heading for Florida to swat flies and to step on cockroaches.

Let's keep in touch here and hope others with the same problem will read this forum. 

Reference your problem.  Not familiar with your model number, in Canada they start with a C and have nine numbers or so after.
Anyway, I had a SEARS Craftsman 11 H.P. Tecumseh and gave it to my son just a week ago.  It was a medium frame and I used
if for over 6 years.  Never had a hitch until the first snow storm of the season and it ran for about 5 minutes and then quit. 
It wasn't getting gas. lots of spark.  You could prime it, it would run and then die.   Now taking off the carb is a pain but I did anyway
and cleaned it as best I could, installed it back on the engine and the same thing.  It would run for a few seconds and then sputter away.
It came to me that maybe it was the vent in the gas cap.  Something so simple couldn't be the it but that was what had been
causing the problem.
The gas caps come with a splash retainer inside ( aluminum ) and at the end of the last season when I was putting the blower away,
it had fallen out.  I screwed the cap on and forgot about it.  I couldn't get the piece back in so took a little gasket material, punched 4
small holes around the edge and inserted it in the cap. I also drilled a hole in the top of the cap.  The center of the gas cap has a protrusion
on the inside and keeps the  gasket material from going
flat.  The 4 holes are for breathing purposes to vent.  The old caps used gasket material and were punched with vent holes as well as
a physical hole drilled in the top of the cap.  The newer caps when tightened, still allow venting but around the sides, when mine broke,
and I tightend it ,it literally sealed off the venting.
When I had completed the fix I primed and started the engine.  It didn't do a full revolution and was running normally, blew me away!
Now it may not be the case for you but worth a quick check.
I have a large frame SEARS Craftsman which I purchased last Jan.  It had the same recall and the guy came by and did the fix in about
10 minutes.  They only thing they could screw up would be the choke but my unit will start 90% of the time on a prime without choking
however,it is a B&S engine.  Good luck........
.

My engine is also a Briggs & Stratton.  Today I followed Borat's advice by priming six to eight times.  It started with the pull start then quit in a few swconds.  I then used the electric start, the engine caught, I pumped the primer while it ran for probably twenty seconds ( a long time) and then it stopped.  Did this a few times and I finally quit.  I'll leave it up to the Sears tech.  By the way, I also tried it with a loose gas cap and nothing happened.

This new machine always started quickly and ran without a hiccup until the field tech did the recall fix.

Hi,

I have the 8.5 hp version of this snowthrower and also had sears come about the recall over the summer. My problem is very similar to what I am reading here as well. The problem with mine isn't getting it started (it starts great) but as soon as I try to blow snow with it,  if it comes under any kind of load it dies and then will not restart for about an hour or two.

Thus I can usually make one pass up the driveway and then it will die on me.  Or if there is only about an inch of snow it will go fine but anything more taxing on it and it dies. Does anyone have any thoughts on what may be causing this?

 tried dry gas and that did nothing to help. Called Sears and they were not much help either they said they can't even come look at it until Jan 2 2008. Any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Next time buy from a local dealer, you would be up and running now!!

                                                                  Fred

The Sears repair tech arrived today (late this afternoon while being told his ETA was between 8 & 5) and he was not sure what went wrong with my machine after trying to start it.  He drained the gas and added his own.  Still wouldn't start.  Finally with lots of spray ether and pumping of the primer it ran weakly on full choke.  When he started to release the choke slowly, the machine would falter with an occassional backfire.  It simply struggled along on full choke and wouldn't run normally.

He thought it needed a new carburator so he ordered one and I parked the machined.  According to his schedule controlled by his manager, it will be installed on Saturday, Jan. 12, between 8am and 5pm.  Should be interesting if the next fix doesn't work.  We could continue on into springtime.  There isn't any snow in the next ten days or so forecasted for eastern Mass.

FYI: said he hadn't heard of any problems other than mine after the recall fix. 

Did the service tech even pull the float bowl off of the carb?  If not, he's not much of a tech.  Pull the float bowl off yourself to see if there's debris,  water or ice in there.  Could be something as simple as that.  Could be the float needle being stuck closed thus not allowing fuel to flow into the float bowl. 

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008

Received my new carburator yesterday afternoon ordered by the tech during his last  visit.  He'll be here on Saturday, Jan. 12th.

The part number on the box and packing slip is 794593 . 

The part number in the owner's manual is 696737.  He took the part number from the owner's manual when he ordered the carburator. 

The plot thickens.  I hoping the new number is one that supercedes the old (wishfull thinking) with a new-and-improved carb.

WX forecast over the next few days or so is rain and mild weather.

That is truly a pathetic attempt to solve your problem.  I'm not a practicing mechanic although I do have a fair amount of mechanical training and a great deal of mechanical experience.  Timmy the tech should have at least pulled the fuel bowl off of the carb to look for debris, ice or water.  Personally, I'd have pulled the carb off on day one for a thorough inspection and cleaning.  A chimpanzee can do R & R (remove and replace).  Sad to see the level of incompetence that the big box stores have reduced their service staff to.   I'd be some pissed off if I were in your shoes.   

Not to be a smart ass, but have you thought of buying yourself a small engine repair manual for simple repair work?   Even if you learned the basics of carburetor operation you'd probably be able to solve 90% of your small engine problems.  Very, very seldom is engine starting/running problems caused by anything else.  A little knowledge and a simple tool set can do wonders.  The satisfaction of doing it yourself is also rewarding.  Not to mention the money you'll save.    

Best of luck to you.

I appreciate your concerns and getting pissed off on my end doesn't help daily life.  I'm saving that for Saturday when he arrives and I may be told to wait two weeks or so for another repair visit when the correct part is shipped.

This machine is under warranty so I don't intend to tinker with it.  It is, however, a mechanical learning experience for me and we'll see what happens.  I'm retired so I have plenty of time to get on the phone and work through the Sears network.

The Sear's tech (same guy) was here on Saturday and he replaced the carburator.  The new carb part number superceded the old one, which explains the difference.  That was a great relief at the moment.  The machine started immediately on the second pull, he slowly backed off on the choke and we stood, watched and listened.  Sounded good.  It ran well.

After he left, I went to start the machine for the purpose of burning off the remaining gas in the tank (about two inches from the bottom).  It started and ran for 20 seconds or so, slowed on its own and died.  I thought it was out of gas.  I remembered last sping when I ran it to burn off remaining gas that the bottom of the tank could be partially seen.  The machine just would not start this time yet there's enough gas in there for a run.

I called the Sears number and they said he would return later in the day.  He didn't.  I called them on Sunday and he's scheduled to be here tomorrow  (Tuesday).  I asked what it would take to turn this in and get a new replacement and she said it would be up to the technician (I doubt I'd be eligable of course but needed to know).

I also got a quick tuturiol on the carb and how the screws on the bottom which houses the float are designed not to be removed.  The tech said the screws (look like brass) would distort and he thinks they're mounted with loctite.  This is a mean and powerfull vibrating machine so it made sense.  Older aircraft engines, piston and jet , are filled with safety wire locking the screws.

By the way, it snowed today and we got about five or six inches. . . .heavy and wet and made for 11.5 hp.

I received an automated call from Sears this morning (Tuesday) conducting a survey with six questions.  I gave the tech high marks for his attempts to fix and I gave Sears low marks for their service (understaffed and long delays for the tech to arrive).

Shortly after the call, a tech arrived (a different guy, looked like he was in his late fifties), stepped out of his van and was singing away.  I said hello and he didn't answer.  He proceeded to remove the structure that holds the "cab" (the cab was not on).  Said it was in the way.  (OK, but the other tech didn't have any problem).  As he removed the housing which covers the carb, etc., he kept dropping screws and placed other screws and parts on the ground.  I ran inside to get a plastic container for his use so he wouldn't lose any parts.  He then asked me to add some of my gas to bring the tank to half-full.

He started pumping the primer and announced he found the problem.  "ICE!"  Gas was not coming thrrough the line to the carb.  He then disconnected the gas line and told me when gas starts pouring out, you'll know the ice has melted.  He said I better get a bucket to catch the gas.  I suggested I would place a heating pad there and he said he couldn't wait around for this and he would return on Friday.  At the moment he pulled out of the driveway and was gone, I discovered the fuel on/off valve was in the off position!!  He never touched it.  I turned it on and quickly turned it off because gas started pouring out!! 

I called Sears immediately, got lucky and had an intelligent person on the line who got more pissed off than I.  He put in for a new tech and said he would submit a report on this guy.

when u turned the gas on did the blower start? or di the tech leave the machine in pieces.

So sorry for your aggravation. She should be ready by the spring. Ouch.

Your repair situation is a litany of incompetence and hubris behaviour on behalf of the Sears Goonie Goo Goo service team.    Fortunately for me, I do all of my own small engine work.  My motto is "If I can move it, I can fix it." So, I never see a service tech unless I bring a new machine into a shop for warranty work.  Even then, it would have to be catastrophic failure for me to bring it in.  I don't trust too many places to fix my stuff.  Particularly when I see sixteen year old Timmy in the back looking like he's recovering from a night of hard partying.  Too bad the older tech didn't have more going for himself.  Bad manners and incompetence don't do much to bolster customer confidence.  So, is your machine still apart or did the tech at least re-assemble it before he left?  If so, did it start after you turned the fuel on?

This tech left the machine in pieces.  He was a complete slob!  Good thing I provided a plastic container.  I placed a Shaw's plastic shopping bag over the carburator to keep out micro-dirt and covered the machine with my Classic cover.  Normally I keep the machine stored under cover on an open side porch, but with the fuel line open, I chose to keep it parked away from the house for safety reasons.

I've now seen three Sears technicians and have watched how they work.  Two were confused and couldn't wait to leave for their next service call.  The third guy, the one who ordered the new carburator, was methodical and tried to work his way through the problem.  All three had a bad habit of placing parts on the ground and then searching for the parts when it came time to reassemble.  In addition, all three mentioned how they had an extremely busy schedule and hoped they could see all of their customers.  These guys are overloaded and don't have the time to check their work.

Today's tech (the slob) obviously was happy to leave so he could move on to the next repair call to keep the pressure off from his management.  Their job is hit or miss.

Like the others have mentioned the problems you describe are usually due to carb issues, looks like the tech who replaced the carb turned the fuel valve off before leaving and as a result  the machine quickly got fuel starved when you ran it.  At that point the problem was probably fixed so I hope the slob didn't mess up the new carb. No idea what the recall tech did initially so it's hard to tell if it's him who ruined it or if contamination during storage is the culprit.

NHsnowman wrote:
You likely have a clogged jet, time to clean that carb.

Gelid wrote:

The tech who replaced the carb the other day (the good tech) shut everything down properly which included shutting off the fuel valve.  After he left, I turned on the fuel valve as part of my start-up checklist and did everything according to the book.  I treated it just as I would have with my former airplane.....all by the book.  Keeps one out of trouble.  As I explained before, the engine ran for a very short time, a minute or less, and then it stopped and would not start again (not even a pop).

I firmly believe the problem is fuel starvation and/or not getting fuel into the engine.  I also believe the carburator and the techs are the problems.  There is no ice, no bad or old gas, no water in the gas (previous tech drained small drops of water), and no gas cap problem.  I also believe if I had the "good tech" visit today, the machine would either be running or he would have ordered another replacement part and it would run another day.  The "good tech" said he grew up with small engine repair helping his father and he enjoys the work and the challenges it offers.  I hope he returns.

Snowbound wrote:

After the above visit, I called Sears and described the problem with the tech.  I asked them NOT to send this guy again.  They agreed and would see that he would not be back.  The next day I called Sears again to verify if there was a "stop" placed on this bad tech and they said yes, there was.  I had this tech's employee number and it agreed with my Sears service record file according to their "help desk".

Today, January 18, guess who showed up?  The same tech who screwed up!  He rolled down his window and I told him he shouldn't be here.  "Oh, did you get it started?" he asked.  I said no, reminded him my machine was under warranty therefore I'm not going to tinker with it, and that he forgot to turn on the fuel valve when he told me there was ice in the fuel line, and I also mentioned the sloppy parts mess he left behind.  I told him because of this, I had called Sears and asked that he not go near my machine.  I told him "I don't want you here", then turned and walked away. 

When I called Sears again, they were sympathetic and the help desk guy was getting pretty angry about the whole episode.  He kept apologizing and hoped I would have a better day and a wished me a good and peaceful weekend.  (actually he was getting more pi**ed-off by the minute)  The next step is another appointment and he expressly requested the "good tech" to work on my machine.

I've now had FOUR visits by Sears field service snowblower technicians in sixteen days!  If the next visit (visit number six) requires a new part to be ordered, then another visit (number seven) will be required to install the part.

 Stay tuned!

Snowbound- You have the patience of a Saint!

I would request the supervisor in charge to authorize an exchange machine and have it delivered ASAP. They have had ample opportunity to make repairs and it is obvious they ruined the unit when doing the recall. I am sure that a competent tech could repair the unit but it is obvious they can't provide competent service.

Marc

mml4 wrote:

Thanks for the compliment Marc, however, being retired helps. . . sort-of.  If I were working, this would require taking time off for every technician visit and that would mean a loss of personal income bigtime.  I worked as a free-lance consultant and charged according to real-time while on the job at the customer's location.  No work - no pay. 

At this moment in my life over age sixty, shoveling snow can be deadly and that's why I bought the machine.  Getting snowed under with a sparkling new snowblower that doesn't work and is parked outside is a real pisser!  I refuse to shovel snow (my health is good by the way).  I am getting shoveled out by a younger person, however.

Had an interesting conversation today with a Sears help-desk person and they are taking action.  I can't go into details now because this is too public.  However, I'll try to keep this thread updated so that all who are reading will learn from my experience.  The next tech visit is this coming Friday, January 28.  This is a total of five full days in January I've had to stay home to accomodate Sears 8 am to 5 pm appointment system.  For those who don't know, Sears tells you that the tech will arrive between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm on the appointed day.  You're stuck at home. 

According to my original sales literature when I bought this machine, replacement was also offered as a feature.  It says, "If we can't fix it, we'll replace it with coverage up to $1,500.  No hassles -- you deal directly with Sears, not the manufacturer."

Good news!

The "good tech" arrived this morning and used ether to start the machine.  He let it run for a minute or so, shut it down and restarted it in a normal fashion.  He then let it sit for five or so minutes, restarted it and let it run for a few minutes.  At my request, he approached an old snow pile to test it with a load, cautiously because the snow had transformed into a hard pile with some powder underneath.

After shutting it down for a moment, I started it on the first pull while he observed.  He (we) never did figure out why it wouldn't start for me shortly after his last visit.  It's now running beautifully and sounds great, nice and loud.  I wear a headset to supress the noise.  He then reattached the "cab" brackets which were removed previously (and unnecessarily) by the other tech.

Borat, I mentioned your comments about this B & S engine series and how the horsepower variables go up to 13hp.  He agreed, and said that it's a mighty powerful engine for snow blowing.  Your shared knowledge on these forums is much appreciated and highly valued by all of us.  We're all lucky to have such a knowlegeable, articulate and highly experienced snowblower specialist with small engine expertise and who just happens to live in a snowy area of Canada; and is SO willing to help!

Thanks again!

Snowbound, You have more patience than I.  sept to late jan is a long time especially when the item is seasonal.

Good Luck.

(BTW/ I wear hearing plugs and hearing muffs. I feel much less fatigued when wearing them than not wearing them.  Big difference.)

Thank you very much for the compliments Snowbound.

There are several valuable members participating in this forum who contribute a great deal of knowledge and experience.  I find that it's the maturity and sharing of useful information that separate this forum from the others.  It's of no value to me to read about why "my machine is better than your machine" or brand advertising in general.  The people who use this forum have genuine issues and are often in need of guidance.  The quality of information provided here impresses me.   Lots of common sense and real life experience to draw from.  I enjoy helping others and appreciate the numerous gems of knowledge offered by others that I had not previously known.  It's a good place. 

It hasn't snowed here for almost two weeks and it's been dangerously cold.  The last week or so the temps have been pretty steady at 20 below F.  With the wind chill it's been between 35 and 45 below.   Too cold to do much outside.         

Thought I would add an informational follow-up especially for those who own Sears snowthrowers in the Northeastern U.S.

Yesterday, I received another automated survey call from Sears with the usual five questions.  Press one for poor and five for exceptional.  The first four questions were about the good technician and I gave him all fives.  The final question asked how I would rate Sears service and I pressed one.  Approximately two hours later (coincidence?), I received a call from a Sears representative who asked about my service experience.  She then told me they would extend my home service repair warranty for an extra year.  A warranty which is pretty comprehensive in itself.  This is the original warranty I purchased for a three year duration.  I now have it up to Feb. 2010.

I was dissapointed when I heard their reason for the extension.  She said Sears took too long  -  over two weeks  =  to respond to my first request for a service call.  I called them on December 13th and they arrived for their first attempt-to-fix on January 2.  I believe she said, if it takes over two weeks Sears will offer some kind of ("compensation", my word).  The ongoing soap opera episode which included the bad tech and which began on Dec. 13 and ended on Friday, Jan. 25 apparently did not have any impact on their decision to offer this extension.  If the extension offer was all about a slow response, why did it take so long to call with the offer?  I didn't question them on this. 

She added that Sears has a shortage of snow thrower technicians in the Northeast, especially in the Boston area, and they are offering their customers the benefit of a warranty extension.  Sounds like a committee decision.  I'll take it. . . for now.

Today I ran the machine and it was music for me.  Full choke, started on the first pull, ran it for ten minutes and shut it down.  Started again (no choke, of course), ran it for another ten minutes and shut it down.  Temperature was at 34F. 

As a follow-up to my recent soap opera drama with Sears, I started my machine today (to excercise it) with three squirts of primer and only two pulls.  Blamm!!  Sounded great!  Air temperature was 30F on a clear day.  My hope for this snow thrower is that it's a Briggs & Stratton.

Ran it for twenty minutes at recommended full power, reduced the throttle to fast idle in the final minute and then shut it down.  Nice.

Here's a brief update from last season's drama with Sears Service and my new machine.  All is well.  Starts on the first pull, runs extremely well and is very powerful!  We got eight inches today in Massachusetts, blowing snow (powder), temp nine degrees and winds gusting to 35 kts.