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

Have a Tecumseh HSK-70 on an old Ariens.

Runs fine, starts right up, putters to a stall and won't start for awhile.  Then it runs great for awhile.

I've tried (1) cleaning the carb bowl and needle to eliminate crud (2) checking for a good fuel flow into the carb by disconnecting the fuel line at the carb (3) trying various rich/lean settings (4) loosening the fuel tank cap to relieve possible vacuum (4) fresh gas (5) Stabil (6) cursing at it (7) visually checking the pinhole in the carb adjusting screw threads.

It's like the fuel supply is simply cut off, nothing will save it.  Is there anything I've missed?

I haven't tried checking the float level, and hesitate to "DIY", and will do that only a s a last resort.

Spray into the jets with cleaner and also up into the float needle valve seat. The needle could be sticking to the seat. With the bowl removed and gas tank valve shut off lightly move the float up and down and check that the float needle drops each time.

Try taking out the bowl nut, leaving the bowl on covering the hole with your finger. Remove your finger several times to drain the bowl and check to see that gas keeps flowing after the bowl drains at a decent regular pace.

Emailed another member offering a PDF of the service manual.  It has excellent drawings of the carb.

I see the gap for the  float is measured with the carb upside down.  Is there a way to do it with the carb mounted on the snowblower?

Anything else that might be causing the problem?

Planning to attack it next weekend. 

 depending on the age the fuel line itself can collapse under pressure.  give the line a squeeze,  if it feels soft replace.