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

Non-mechanical genius here. Need some advice. I have a Craftsman 9hp snow blower purchased in 2001. I checked it out in November prior to the season (lubed, oil, started, etc.) and it ran fine. When I went to start it yesterday for the first time for action, the electric starter just "whirrs". I can start it with the pull cord so it runs. since it "whirrs" it seems to be getting power, but something isn't connecting to the motor to turn it over. I am assuming I need to get a new starter but thought I would check with some experts first. Any help out there? Thanks in advance.

look at your machine.  Who makes the engine?  WHat is the model number of the engine?  Look at the starter.  What is the model number of the starter? 

The good news is, it starts.  The whirring sound you hear is the starter motor running. The gear that engages the ring gear on the engine is not engaging so the snow thrower engine is not turning over. To repair the snow thrower, someone (you say you are not mechanical) will need to remove the starter from the snow thrower engine and see what is causing the gear to not engage. This is not typically a hard job.  The gear is a $6 part.  A new starter motor is $170.   Other parts are priced in between.

I've seen many where the starter mounting bolts fall out.  Check these first.

My ariens had the same issue. Your starter is probably ok and as KDEZ mentioned it is probably the gear.

Mine was cast and quite "chewed up". the gear was cheap and easy to replace. it aint rocket science. easy DYI project. get your hands dirty