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

Given Situation: Engine has been fully warmed up and the throttle is set to fast.   

Scenario: My Honda snowblower surges when it comes out of the load.  If I blow the snow with the throttle at either low or medium speed then the engine does not surge when the load is light but when the throttle is set to fast, the engine will surge when the load is low or minimum.  As soon as it gets a full load, no surging.   I took the blower to the dealer today (since no snow for few days and the wait is not too long) as I felt this was not right.  I had this problem since it was brand new in Dec 2010.  I will let you know what the fix is or if this is normal.  Any similar experiences from Honda snowblower owners?

aa335 wrote:

High altitude jets are available through Honda distribtutors. These are fixed jets that are sized so the engine runs richer. The only other alternative is to use a jet ream and open up the one you have. It was a standard practice on the pre fuel injection Kehin carbureted Harleys. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is. The trick is to have a complete set of jet reams and the pita is to have the discipline to go up one size at a time taking out the jet and reinstalling it until you find the sweet spot.With a snow blower you would want to do it when the temperature is approximately that at which you use the machine. You wouldn't want to jet the carb in July for use in January.

At best it still would be an average and unless the engine is so lean it is back firing I think you should just learn to live with it.  

Marc

MN_Runner wrote:
Nope.  Big boy HS1132 is coming out to play today, it is taking care of two foot drifts and EOD, plus the neighbor's too, and 250' of sidewalk to the park.  The 421QE is taking care of the my walkways.  And the HS621 is taking care of the my sidewalks.  Woo Hoo!  :)

aa335 wrote:
Bonus points - you get to use all your toys in one storm!!!!

The altitude kit is to perform the opposite.   As altitude increases, it causes the mixture to run too rich thus the requirement for smaller jets at altitude to lean it out.  An altitude kit would make the jetting worse in an already lean mixture.   Here's an interesting link:


http://www.iwt.com.au/mikunicarb.htm

FrankMA wrote:
Unfortunately, the wind is still blowing so strong and the plow hasn't come around yet.  I'd have to wait until this afternoon.

borat wrote:

My bad- I had a Honda powered pressure washer I bought off the net that back fired badlly when new. It appears I completely misunderstood the vendors explanation when I called to complain.

Marc

Today I used both the work 1132 and my personal 928 and the 1132 does it consistently.  My 928 is smooth as can be with no surge once warm.

I will let you guys know what the fix is once I get a call from my Honda dealer.  I hope they will replace the carburator, which I suspect is the culprit.

Your low speed jet is plugged....

   The engine is not getting enough fuel at that (governed ) throttle  setting through the low speed jet...   The engine starts to drop in rpm, the engine  responds by opening the throttle to maintain rpm,   the high speed or main jet comes on-line and overspeeds past the desired maintained speed  since the unit is under no load,  The engine trys to drop the rpm by closing the throttle some....  Then the cycle starts all over again...

Find your low speed jet and clean it,  it's only partly plugged..

Good Luck,

Friiy

dear friiy,

I am not going to touch the snowblower since I have 2 years and 10 months left on the warranty.  The dealer was cleaning the carb and adjusting the governor.  Obviously it is not fixed so I have a feeling they are going to replace the carb and governor.  Surges between the load are a sign of carb/governor issue.  I am a little irritated with the problem since I had this from the begining - I wish I knew better.