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

Yesterday, I had a fine time blowing the 25+" of snow that fell in northern RI from the blizzard of 2005.

However when I started the engine today to complete the drive way, I had a problem that I hope someone can help me with.  The engine started on the 2nd pull as it usually does, BUT Iit would only run at an idle speed and no matter how I tried to adjust the choke could not get it to run any faster. When I tried to put it in gear and/or run the tines, the engine started to stall.   After it ran on idle for a while and I tried turning it off and restarting it a few times and after I left it idling for a few minutes it began to run a little faster and gradually returned to normal speed it seemed. Might have been a little less noisey than usual or so it seemed.

My question is -- Did I do anything wrong?  I shut it off  yesterday (and it ran fine yesterday) as I usually do by shutting the fuel cutoff switch (as the dealer informed to do!). it also had run fine a few weeks ago in a previous snowstorm.  Second, what else if anything could I have tried to get it running right ?  I was looking at about 100' of steep driveway with about 3-4' of drifted in snow!  Not a good thing to shovel!

Also, and maybe related, I noticed that the light that I have on the blower did not come on today!  Any connection, perhaps? or a different separate problem?

thanks for any advice/suggestions!

codmaster,

Great snowblowing conditions you lucky folks got out of that storm.

As you were blowing deep snow the day before it is possible that some snow was ingested in the carb, and iced it up. When you started up it would act up until the heat from the engine melted it.

My brother had the same problem with his 724 after he ran through a deep drift which fell down onto the engine. A few seconds later it lost power and wouldn't run right.  If that is all it is, there is nothing wrong with your machine.

I think your light problem is a separate thing. ChrisS has given you the best advice for that.

How old was the fuel? Put a little deicer in it.