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

If you have problems with a TEC engine not starting or running like Cr@p after repairing it 20 times  and spent hundreds of dollars on parts and labor.  My suggestion unbolt the 4 nuts that hold the engine  on the snowblower  and get yourself a new Honda Clone engine or even better if you can find a nice used Honda GX270 engine and you will have the best running Snowblower  you have ever owned.   It may even out-perform the  over engineered  Honda Snowblowers.

There are so many of those old Tecumseh L-heads out there, and there will probably still be some out there running after we're all dead. If you make sure to take care of the oil they'll last forever.

Funny thing about plugs, though. I got my Snow King engine in the middle of the season and when I went to put it away for the summer I looked at the plug when I pulled it to oil the cylinder. It was like new (except for color of course). The next year I picked up a plug but when I pulled it that year, it still looked good so I didn't change it. It's been another six years since then, and that new plug is still laying out in the garage collecting dust somewhere. The original plug still looks pretty good!

I seldom change plugs.  I clean them once a year but that's usually it.   I keep spares for most of my equipment.  Some not.  I carry a spare on any machines (ATVs/dirt bikes) that I take into the bush and a set for my outboards.  Never use them either.  Don't need to usually.  Clean and replace as usual. 

In over 40 years of vehicle ownership/operation and owner of 38 or so small engines, I've had two spark plugs fail.  Both were small plugs used in small two cycle engines.   First plug that failed was back around 1985 in my,  1983 Tecumseh powered Jiffy ice auger and the second failed two years ago in my 1984 Jonsereds 630 chainsaw.   Both were original plugs.  The ice auger caught me off guard being only 2 years old.  The saw however went over 24 years on the same plug.  Even my '96 Toyota T-100 has the original plugs.  No change in performance nor fuel mileage since new. 

Quality spark plugs (NGK, ND and even Champion)  are generally very reliable and perfectly suitable for long term use provided they're cleaned/gapped occasionally. 

If the engine starts and runs well, what's the need to change it?    

Like Borat I never change a plug I inspect it once a season clean it lube the threads with a drop of engine oil and re--Install. I will only change a plug if the outside of the body is rusty. I have only seen 1 plug fail and that was in a 3 year old Honda powered lawnmower.