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

First allow me to say that I know NOTHING about engines.  I pull the cord and if it stars,I use it..

Well, I purchased a new SEARS snowthrower in Jan 2005; and used it with success for two seasons.  I replaced the gas with fresh gasoline; and ran it briefly during the off-months to make sure that the engine would start.

This winter, (2007/2008), I added new fresh gas and attempted to start it with the electric starter; and no joy.  It just cranked for several seconds; and would not fir up.  I repeated this a few times with no success.  I tried using the cord; and nothing.. As in nothing.. It would not pull out and seemed like it froze up.  When I tried to use the electric start again, it hummed and was clearly having difficulty trying to turn whatever it is that it is supposed to turn to start up the engine.

I thought I flooded the engine with gas, or maybe a piece of debris has jammed the blades on the snow thrower portion of the machine.. I gave it a day and nothing.. There is wher she sits today, Spring 2008.

Time to get some advice now that the weather is mo cooperative.

Any thoughts ?

Remember, I know next to nothing about small engines.  If the fix is something that you think is simple, I'll give it a go..

 

JayB wrote:

Pull the spark plug and look to see if the piston is at the top or bottom of the cylinder,  If it's at the top, get a stick just small enough to put in the spark plug hole and see if you can move the piston downward into the cylinder.  It might take a light tap with a hammer on the stick.  Don't force it or break the stick.  If it goes down, the engine isn't seized.  If will not move, there's a good chance that it is.  Is this a Tecumseh L head engine?  If it is, it's very easy to remove the cylinder head to have a better look at what's happening inside.  Let us know how it goes.