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

Two winters ago, I bought, after a drive from Cleveland to Buffalo, the 926 PRO, based on good advice from this forum. And she has served me well the past two winters, but about two weeks ago, after a mild snow, when I went back out to move a bit of ice and slush, she would not fire the next week, using the electric starter, or by pulling the cord. I have been using stabilizer in the fuel when I buy fresh Shell regular gasoline.

The starter whirls, but it does not engage. And recently, I am getting an odd sound. At least, I think that is what is happening, like when we had older cars with throw-out bearing that went bad. I understand these Tecumseh OHSK 80-130 engines, and most gas engines today, have electronic ignitions, which should tell me the issue is with the fuel. When the snow thrower is not in use, I keep it in the garage, which is above freezing. I do not think anything related to the starter motor froze, but maybe

The only way that I have been able to start it, which the Tecumseh engine manual says NOT to do, is by using starter fluid. A Cleveland Ariens dealer,(I would have bought it in Cleveland but they were out of this model when I needed a new snow thrower) who sold me a can the first winter, told me I could spray it by the carb intake. That did work one time in the last week, but yesterday and today, I had to remove the plug, squirt the fluid in the cylinder, then replace the plug. BUT now, my son, in Nashville, tells me that the new engines have Aluminum pistons and Starter Fluid will cook the pistons, and should not be used.

Any ideas about Why the Electric Started will not engage. And can I take it apart myself to see if a gear has broken when is not allowing the starter to engage the flywheel, or whatever it does to fire the engine.

Lastly, do you guys shut off the fuel valve at the end of each session, then run the engine dry. Or do you only do this at the end of the Season?

We may have had our last snow of the winter, but you never know about March in Cleveland.

Thanks,
keith sherck,