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

Hi
Craftsman  536.886440
I have this as my backup blower. Well I bought an Ariens since this thing performed so poorly.
I had it tuned up to the tune of $150 or so in 3/ 07 and it didnt work well with the last storm of the year then (4" of  slush). SO I got the Ariens then.
I would like to sell it but its not  performing right....Starts and idles well, drives good. Today a buyer tried to throw snow (12-15")  off the edge of the driveway and it
threw about 5 feet but it seemed to just bog down and stumble on its own feet, for lack of a better description.
It seems at first like it's going to be fine, but as soon as it advances a couple feet it just dies.
Could the engine be worn out? Could it be a simple adjustment?
The buyer felt like it didnt slip or anything, the motor just  gave up.
Any ideas to tinker with?
Thanks so much.
Tony

I'm guessing this is a two stage unit. First thing to check is the tension on the the impeller pulley. If it is worn and loose then any time you put it under load it will start to slip and the snow won't go anywhere.

I'm sorry but bog down and stumble on its own feet doesn't really say what is happening. Did the engine slow down and or quit? Did the snow start to dribble out the chute? Did the wheels keep turning but start to slip? Did the unit start to act like a snowplow and push snow out the front?

Sorry, yes two stage...
It threw snow a little initially but quickly it lost its 'oomph' and the motor stalls out.
Tony

If the compression is good, chances are you have a fuel starvation problem. Loosen your fuel cap a bit when the engine starts to falter. See if that perks it up. If it does, your fuel cap vent might be blocked. Clear it with a pin or paper clip. Try that first and let us know how it goes.

Sounds like an engine problem not an impeller belt tension problem so what Borat said is the way to go.

Fresh, high test gas is also a good idea. Most lower octane rating gases have a percentage of alcohol in them. This tends to harden the various pieces of rubber in the engine, particularly the fuel line. If there is a hole in the fuel line it can also cause problems since the carburettor can't "suck" enough gas in.

How long have you had the blower, how has it been stored ( gas in tank or out, stabilizer or none). Do you use carburettor cleaner every so often?

I got is used 4-5 years ago. And it was used at that time. In the time I have had it I have simply run the gas out in the spring.
No stabil and a little cleaner in the tank once..
Tony

     You may have a little dirt or paint flake in the carb bowl that is restricting the main nozzle  fuel flow,  but not a big enough blockage to starve the low speed orifices ( both draw their fuel from the main carb jet in the bow, but at diffrent throttle settings)..  Or you could try to enrichen the main fuel jet if you have a adjustable one.......   (if it is puffing black smoke as it stalls,  try  leaning the main jet)...

Good Luck,

Friiy

The shop you took it too probably didn't have 15-17 inch of snow to try it under load....  Where the engine "sounds" good isn't likely where it runs best under load.

Friiy