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

I just received a non-working Jacobsen Imperial 826 and where there should be a key to turn on and off the machine there is nothing but a wire.  This snowblower has an HM80 engine and there is not a spark produced.  I can post pictures if there is anything you would like to see to help, I'd like to just put a rocker switch on but I am not really sure what else might be required.

Thanks in advance!

   The engine probably needs points and condenser or worse case a magneto coil ($14 online).  BUT – since your shutoff is messed up it might be grounded causing no spark.

 

    The shutoff depends on the model.  There should be a wire going out from the lower right side of the cowling as you face the recoil.  That comes from the magneto and gets grounded to shutoff the engine. 

 

   The wire gets grounded a few ways depending on the model. Some Jacobsons had dash of off switches some had throttle control shutoff like the following.

 

1. The wire runs up under a platform above the carb.  Pushing the throttle control in the maximum low speed direction causes the control to contact the wire and ground out the magneto.  The wire usually has a spade end to push on to a connector mounted under the platform.
2. The wire runs to the lower left of the cowling.  There’s an L bracket held on by the cowling retaining bolt.  The wire attaches to the bracket and there is a plastic washer isolating it from ground.  Another wire runs up to the dash to an on-off switch which can ground the magneto.  The wire sometimes runs up to the heater box like no 1.
3. Newer machines have the wire run to an isolated from ground connection on the heater box.  When the plastic key is inserted it lifts a grounding arm off the wire from the magneto.  These newer types usually have a throttle control at the heater box cowling junction which stick out.  That arm also can ground the magneto wire when put to max low speed. 

 

Your machine probably does not have no 3 but has 1 or 2 with a open or missing grounding wire from the magneto.  Since you don’t have spark possibly it’s grounded. 

dawei

wow, thanks for the info.  That's perfect, so maybe I don't have an ignition problem.

I should have been more clear in my original post, I have a hole on the dash where I thought the ignition should be but there is just wire tied in a knot.  I have scenarios 1 and 2 then right as I have another wire running into the plate above the carburetor.

So I will make sure that the throttle is not on Stop and look for a spark again.

Here are the images I took this morning before coming to work.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rithomitis/HM80Imperial826#

Oh and one more thing, do you happen to know what size shear pin the 826 utilizes?  I have a broken one and I forgot to take the good one with me to get a replacement on my way home.

Thanks again!

Your model is a 52040T and the engine HM80 155015E if original.

That's a nice snowblower. It's solid, the tractor section is the standard basic design and built well, the auger gearbox is ok, has grease fittings, nice auger blades and the usual crummy cheap handles everyone used then that flop around and rattle. Like most of the older well built snowblowers the bodies outlasted their motors. If you motor has ok compression you'll have a nice snowblower when you get spark back.

Jacobson does not make the big two stages anymore and does not support them. Parts are available though at least the parts that will possibly break under normal use will be available. Many parts cross to other makers so around. Your pin is 342449 google that and you can probably find a supplier that lists the bolt size. Any breakable bolt is ok.

ke

Excellent, thanks for the help, I was able to find the right size shear pin and I will post back tonight if I can get anything to work!  Thanks again!

Ok, so I definitely have spark now.  the carburetor is leaking from the main nozzle when I prime it more than a couple times.  So it leaks out the main nozzle and then drips out the back of the choke part of the carburetor.

I have taken the carburetor apart but I will have to look around for a rebuild kit, probably all gone in town.  Anything specific that I should be looking to replace in the carb?

Thanks for all your help trouts2, I probably wouldn't have figured out the spark issue if you hadn't sent me the scenarios...I really appreciate it and after a good carb cleaning the blower runs like a champ!!!  Thanks again for all of you help.

Pldawg,

   Nice work.  You’ve got yourself a great machine at a great price.  It may not toss as far as a new machine but it will dig in better than most and probably match or beat newer machines on throughput. 

David