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

I've got a Yardman 644E, 8hp/24".  I ate a brick which stopped the auger, the shear bolts did not shear, two auger drive belts snapped.  I've replaced the belts, but had a difficult time starting the engine.  It ran for about ten minutes and the snow flew out of the shoot, so I'm thinking that part is repaired, but the engine putters to a stop after a few minutes.  It was running great prior to the brick.  I was hoping for a quick fix--gas line maybe?  So I changed the gas and checked the fuel line.  Looks okay to me.  But, the engine isn't doing well at all.  Timing?

AHA!!!  Fixed!!!...First thank you all for getting my brain into gear, considering all your helpful comments, and putting my feet on the right path.   About 5 a.m. this morning, while trying to grab another hour of sleep, thinking about your various advisements, a flash of inspiration occurred.  The one thing that I never mentioned because I thought it was insignificant...and the one thing out of the ordinary...was tipping the machine forward to get to the bottom pannel.  I began to wonder what if the float hung up?  Initially, it was suggested that I check the gas system.  I checked the tank, and the fuel line--but not the carb.  So, this morning, i decided to remove the carburetor and inspect the float.  After all, it ran fine after the belts broke, but not after I replaced the belts...so something happened in between.  BUT, before i did that i downloaded: http://www.cpdonline.com/692509.pdf

Glad I decided to read about the carb and its parts before I took a wrench to it...a lot of little things in there, and a warning to replace the gasket once the bowl has been separated from the carb.  Hmmmm...and then in one diagram, I saw the "screw."  And then my memory kicked in.  When I tipped the machine forward I was worried about gas spillage.  I put a sheet of saran wrap over the tank opening and screwed the cap down...and then, I pushed and turned the "screw" a little because I thought it was how you bleed the fuel bowl--I wanted to empty all the gas!  Well, guess what?  It isn't a fuel bleeder, but rather a "main adjustment screw" which meters the flow of gas into the carb.  And I did turn it...maybe a couple of times because the spring on it rotated and I wasn't sure if it was turning; or maybe it didn't need turning but pushing.  Anyway, I did disturb its original setting.

I played with it this morning and found the "sweet spot."  The engine runs well; the drive is now clear.  And, as my reward, its snowing again.

Thank you one and all again.

Ahh yes.  If you tightened the screw on the bottom of the bowl on the carb you basically turned the gas off going to the engine.  The stock setting is to unscrew it 1.5 turns.  Sounds like you found a good spot though.  Best to adjust under load with the engine warmed up so engage the auger when messing with it and possibly fiddle with it a tad as you run it into a snow bank.  You should get it right in the middle between bogging down and almost stalling and bogging down and spewing black smoke out the exhaust.

Glad everything is working once again.