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

I need help.  I took a 2 year old snowblower to a shop for repairs.  Dropped it off last spring with a mower that needed work.  Shop said they would look at it during summer after it slowed because I didn't need until winter.  They got back to me and said it needed a carburater for $50.  I approved work.  I've been trying to get a hold of them for 4 weeks.  Stopped by today and saw what kind of looked like my snowblower in a brown box.  Owner wasn't in and no one new anything about it.  They said they would call me within an hour.  4 hours later I called, got owner on phone and he said he called me an couldn't reach me.  He said that the engine has no compression and that the snowblower is worthless. 

My question... Do you have to take the engine apart to check for compression?  He said it took 1 1/2 hours and he would have to bill me $90 to put back together and it still won't work.  Or get this!  He can put out in the trash as it would cost at least $400 for an engine.  The Snowblower only cost $400. 

He also stated that I didn't put the proper mix in which probably caused the failer.

Sounds like I'm being hosed.  I take a 2-3 year old snowblower in and get nothing.

Any suggestion or advice.

>> it needed a carburater for $50.  I approved work. 

   Hard to go broken in two years.  That’s unusual.  Did you leave gas in during the off season (plugged with varnish) or store it in a damp place (white buildup inside the carb)? 

 

>>He said that the engine has no compression and that the snowblower is worthless. 

   What did you use for oil and what was the mix?

    What’s the estimate of use in hours each season?

 

>>Do you have to take the engine apart to check for compression?  He said it took 1 1/2 hours

  Was that 1 ½ hours just for the compression test?  Or did that include evaluation, messing with the carb and the comression test?  It takes some time to unbutton those things.  I had one that to open had to start with taking off the chute before any panels could be unbuttoned.  I could see a half hour for a compression test on some of the single stages. 

 

>>$400 for an engine.

   Seems like a strapping higher hp engine like a 7hp.  What is the model of snowblower?

From the information you have provided, it would appear that you are dealing with a less than astute dealer/serviceman. Considering that you dropped the machine off in the summer and it's still in parts in a cardboard box, that should be a pretty good indicator of what type of dealer you have. On the other hand, if you have not been forthright with your instructions to the dealer and allowed your machine to be in his possession without reasonable contact on what progress he's made, you share some responsibility for your situation. A shabby dealer will have no mercy on you and you should have no mercy on them either. Get your box of parts and either bring it to someone else or try fixing it yourself. Don't know about you, but i wouldn't pay the dealer a cent for what he's done.

I had a similar problem in Massachusetts.  I took the snow blower back and repowered it myself.  bought a new engine on ebay from smallenginewarehouse.com ~ they do 'buy it now' at their list price but allow you to 'make an offer'.  I did, they accepted and I saved some bucks!  Repowering was the best experience. 

I want to thank everyone for their comments and Suggestions.

The snowblower is a Toro Gas with electric start.  It may have a 2 or 4 cycle engine. 

The repair place is telling me I can take the parts or pay $90 for him to put it back together.  I never authorized him to take it apart.  We left it at it need a carburator and for me to pick up at the End of Summer.  My fault for letting it stay there so long.  Very poor communication on his part.  Never returns my call.  I was expecting to pick it up and pay him $50 for the Carb.  Not this!

I'm thinking he used my snowblower for parts to fix something else.  So I'm going to call him out on it.  I'm going to have him put it back together and have him do it for the initial $50 check out fee.  If I have to pay $90 I will, but I will report him to BBB and Attorney General.  If he did anything unethical I call in the investigative reporters. 

Can't believe actually wants me to walk away from a 2-3 year snowblower with nothing.  I still can't figure out why he had to take the blower completely apart to replace carb.  Also can't figure out why he didn't do a compression test first.  I think he is lieing and this will make him come clean.

I'll take some blame by leaving it there this long.  I'll take blame for not getting a written estimate.  I should of known they were unprofessional by the receipt they gave me. 

I also may have caused the problem by not putting in right mixture of oil and gas or by leaving gas in.   I don't know how much damage this would cause.

Paul

Thanks Kdez,

I will look into a used engine.  I may just by a new one.  I just hate feeling like I've been taken. 

Paul

Thanks hirschallan

First to reply and your comment about engine compression helps.  I'll use it as when I speak to repair shop.

Paul

trouts2 wrote:

borat wrote:
Taking your advice and will get them to either put back together or take parts.

Thanks,

Paul

ploft wrote:

"It may have a 2 or 4 cycle engine" 

Seriously...that's a pretty important detail to know.

What did you use for oil and what was the mix?  I did a 75/25 mix of oil and gas.  But may have missed a mix.

With 2-cycle engines you mix the oil and gas together before you fill the tank.  The ratio is either 40:1 or 50:1.  I've never heard of the 3:1 ratio you mentioned.  Moreover, if you "miss a mix," the engine will likely seize, since there's no oil to lubricate the hot cylinders.

Still, by all indications, your engine did not seize, though I expect that such an oil-rich mixture would clog the carb.

It's very important to understand what kind of engine you have and what kind of fuel you should burn.  As you can see, not paying heed to these things can lead to trouble.