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

we have a toro model #824 that was running fine until just recently now it won't start it sounds like lt wants to start but it just won't turn over, do you think it is the starter?  Thats what it sound like to me and if so do you know about how much they are and if they are hard ot get. Lost in the snow in Tahoe need a blower.

does it have elec start and a recoil? f so and they both do not start. then it is NOT the starter (IMO).

Bad gas?

Dirty carb?

Some Ice in the lines?

jldskier,
You post was no so specific. When you say it sounds like it wants to start but not turning over what are you hearing - the engine or the starter motor?

A starter motor plunger mechanism can become stuck so the gear on the starter does not engage the flywheel. You may hear a whurring noise, an electrical hum or a slight click. Those mostly indicate a broken or "stuck" starter engagement mechanism. On some models you can take off the starters 3 or 4 bolts and try to move the engaging gear. Give it some oil or WD-40 to help free it up if it's frozen. That gear is normally away from the flywheel and on pushing the starter button it moves forward to engage the flywheel to get motor turning over.

You say the motor is not turning over but said "it sounds like it wants to start". If you can't hear the motor turning over it will never start. So your description seems to be of the starter motor but it's unclear.

Starter motors are about $125-150 but about $50-90 on the used market and fairly available on local boards nad EBay.
dawei