Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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jackrabbit000
Joined: Jan 10, 2011
Points: 15
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Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Original Message Jan 10, 2011 7:34 pm |
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I'm looking at either buying the Toro 2-cycle 221QE or the 4-cycle 421QE. One dealer I talked to said that the 4-cycle 163cc engine will be almost impossible to start, even with the electric start, if stored in an unheated garage at -20C. He said that he has lots of people who bought this machine come back and complain about it not starting when really cold. He had both the 2-cycle and 4-cycle models in the showroom and recommended that I buy the 2-cycle and that I would be a lot happier with it. Another dealer said that it just comes down to personal preference on which one you want to buy and that they are both just as easy to start when the temp is really cold out. Anyone have any comments about cold starting on the 421QE? This is the one I would like to buy because it would be a little bit quieter and the exhaust wouldn't stink as much as the 2-cycle.
This message was modified Jan 10, 2011 by jackrabbit000
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #38 Jan 12, 2011 10:57 pm |
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I wonder if the 421Q/QE has the same problem as in this recall of the Power Clear 180 dated 7/14/10. Snow Blowers Recalled by The Toro Company Due to Fire Hazard WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Consumers should stop using products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of product: Power Clear 180 Single Stage Snow Blowers Description: This recall involves Toro® Power Clear 180 Single Stage snow blowers. The recalled snow blowers have model numbers 38272 and 38282. Serial numbers included in the recall range from 310000001 through 310999999. The model and serial number can be found on a decal on the lower right side of the snow blower. No it just involves the Power Clear 180. If there was a recall for the 221Q/421Q it would be a seperate recall notice and it would list the affected units by serial number just like this one does.
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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mml4
Snow is good, Deep snow is better!
Joined: Dec 31, 2003
Points: 544
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #39 Jan 13, 2011 6:25 am |
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I live in Saskatchewan (which is as cold-if not colder- than Alberta). My 221 QE starts easily, however the carb *always* freezes up and causes it to run in a lean (over reving) condition. The only way to solve this problem has been to point a blow dryer at the carb for about two minutes before operation- often it will freeze up during operation.
Toro customer service has been zero help...they simply said, "sorry, that can happen in cold weather." I would not buy this unit again.
Good luck. Typical response for Toro customer service. If the issue isn't one where they have exposure in terms of safety related product liability they could care less. I own and like two Toro products but avoid buying Toro if I can because of their attitude towards consumers.
With sincere appologies to Steve Cebu who is the most loyal customer Toro or any other manufacturer of anything ever had ! Marc
This message was modified Jan 13, 2011 by mml4
SnapperV210P,Toro22177,TroyBilt42010Snowthrower,Craftsman Shredder,American Turbo Pressure Washer HondaGX200,Stihl011Saw,EchoPas260Trimmer Edger,EchoPB602Blower,EchoHCR150Hedge Clipper
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Steve_Cebu
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #41 Jan 13, 2011 9:51 am |
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Typical response for Toro customer service. If the issue isn't one where they have exposure in terms of safety related product liability they could care less. I own and like two Toro products but avoid buying Toro if I can because of their attitude towards consumers. With sincere appologies to Steve Cebu who is the most loyal customer Toro or any other manufacturer of anything ever had ! Marc
Thanks, I think
I really like their products but I'd be the first one to call up and $#%* if I had a problem. So far my dealer is a memory. I saw him a few times when testing machines but not since then. Yes I do have them do the service, but other than that no problems except when I was getting all those flat tires from the idiots who put the roof on the house and decided to not pick up the nails afterwards. All companies do this BS nowadays. I'm looking to get a new laptop, do you think any of them have good customer service and tech support? ROFL! Toro told me their authorized dealers ARE their tech support. The Honda snowblower dealer now they were really difficult.
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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saskwinter
Joined: Dec 14, 2010
Points: 14
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #42 Jan 13, 2011 10:11 am |
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Update....It was -31 this morning and the machine (after using the blow dryer for 5 minutes) froze up during operation (no power). Back to the garage for another blow dryer session. Toro could care less. My dealer (mom & pop type) are apologetic, but have no answers.
I wold not recommend this machine for anyone living in the prairie provinces- especially if you don't have a heated garage.
The depressing part is- when it works, it fabulous....when it works....
All the Dale Carnegie courses in the world could not get Toro to give a hoot!
Sorry to step on your thread, jackrabbit.
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NotMoneyGuy
Location: Toronto & north of
Joined: Nov 10, 2010
Points: 87
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #45 Jan 13, 2011 1:42 pm |
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I just bought the toro powerclear 180 a few weeks back. I think it has a mini-version of the 163 cc engine found on the 421q toro. It seems to start fine in cold weather. The dealer also said that the the leaking fuel problem on last year's units has been solved. I have used it a few times and it's not too bad as long as you don't attack large mounds of snow. I also have a toro 826 two stage. If I didn't I'd have bought the 221q unit. I'm hoping Home Depot keeps lowering their price in Toronto. I am not waiting for the price drops any longer on the CA$607.50+tx Toro 221QE that I am sitting on, brand new in its factory sealed box. Back to HD it goes. Walmart just swapped out my Poulan PRO PR521 136 cm3 unit last night for a brand new Poulan PRO PR621ES with electric start and 208 cm3 motor. (There were some false advertising and packaging issues that WM & supplier made good on.)
All said and done, this Poulan cost me merely CA$236.88+tx, or 39% of the Toro's cost. Makes it hard to justify the costlier Toro when the Ariens is the main machine anyways.
Ariens Deluxe 28 921022 WI, USA -- Poulan PRO PR621ES 208 cm3 961880002-00
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saskwinter
Joined: Dec 14, 2010
Points: 14
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #46 Jan 13, 2011 3:05 pm |
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I hope that the Poulan provides you with years of trouble free service. Does Husky have a comparable model in their line-up, yet?
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saskwinter
Joined: Dec 14, 2010
Points: 14
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Re: Toro Power Clear 221QE and 421QE Starting When Really Cold
Reply #47 Jan 13, 2011 3:13 pm |
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Under those conditions, I wonder if any other machine would have the same issues? Welcome to winter in Saskatchewan! All I can say is that the 2 stages around me are working fine and my neighbour's Honda HS 621 is purring along nicely. I have an old BobCat snowblower that Noah brought over on the Ark that ran and started fine this morning. When you flip the 221 over, one can see that the air pick up is right on the ground. I have a Stihl MS440 chainsaw that has a heated coil (ran off a magneto on the flywheel) for the carb designed for winter use. Wonder why Toro didn't take the same approach? Even some metal shielding would help. Oh well.
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