Long time reader...first time poster.
I would appreciate any help.
Last year I purchased a Toro 221 QE. The machine has a problem that is driving me crazy. After every use the (*I Think*) carb freezes up. On the next start, it will exhibit a lean condition (super high idle/revs). The only way to cure to this appears to be pointing an electric heater at for an hour. I find this rather annoying, to say the least. Am I expecting too much for a snow blower to work properly in the snow? I've tried using my Google powers, and no one appears to suffer from the same problem as me.
We're not talking crazy cold temperatures here, maybe -20 or so.
Anyways, I wrote Toro a polite letter stating my problem- in the hopes that they would be able to provide a cure.
Here is what I received in response:
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Dear XXXX,
Thank you for taking the time to contact The Toro Company. We are sorry to learn of the difficulty you have experienced with your snowthrower, and appreciate you bringing it to our attention.
If a linkage such as the choke linkage is frozen it will not provide the engine with the correct air/fuel mixture. Putting the Snowthrower into a heated area or heating the carburetor with a blow dryer will melt the ice in the carburetor. Since the snow is in the air when clearing the snow it can be drawn into the carburetor. If you shut down the engine immediately after use, the snow will melt in the carburetor and eventually freeze when it cools down. Also when you pull the Snowthrower backward through the snow it can force the snow through the air vent located at the bottom of the machine.
To prevent the Snowthrower speed controls from icing up:
After clearing the snow, let the engine run for a few minutes to prevent moving parts from freezing. Shut down engine and remove all ice and snow from the machine.
We sincerely regret the inconvenience this has caused you and appreciate your taking the time to notify us.
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Any thoughts on possible cures- besides dragging the thing inside or pointing a heater at it for an hour?
Thanks in advance!
