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

Hello All:

This is my first time to the forum and thought it would be a great place to get some information.

I just purchased a 13 year old Craftsman 10 H.P. 29 inch Dual Stage Snow Blower (C950-52340-3). It was made in Canada and has a Tecumseh engine. Please bare with me as I give you some of the symptoms. The owner only used it for two winters then stored it in his garage under cover. He had so much snow to move that it was taking too long with the blower, so he bought a plow instead. The blower looks brand new. However he never drained the gas from the tank and it just sat for eleven years. He told me he tried to start it, but it wouldn't start. He believes the carburetor is gummed up. He gave me the manual too.

I am wondering if there is a list of things that should be checked since the snow blower has been sitting. If so, what?

Does anyone have experience with this? Is it just a simple clean the carburetor job?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

Before starting it up it would be a good idea to check the belts, they may have deteriorated with age and lack of use. Also check the little hose that goes from the primer bulb to the carburetor. I had a problem with mine splitting at both ends, it wouldn't prime at all, replaced it and the engine started second  time I went through the prime/pull cord cycle.

Before doing any of the cleaning or attempting to run the engine I'd drain out the old gas and put in fresh. There was a recent discussion about a product called Sea Foam which was reported as being good at cleaning the carburetor. I use Pri-G as a gas stabilizer and revitalizer. Stabil is also supposed to be good.

I was at the local L&G yesterday and they had a notice about Echo engines but I have a hunch it applies to others as well. It said that more than 15% alcohol content in the gas was a bad thing. I noticed recently that some of the gas stations in the area now state that regular has no more than 10%, mid-grade no more than 5% and hi test is 0%. I'm going to use hi test in my OPE.