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

We have an Ariens 26" snowblower - model 8526 with an electric starter and a pull cord. When put away last spring was running fine. Pulled it out yesterday for prep for winter and the electric starter spins and the pull cord can't be pulled. There is good oil in it, etc. Any repair shop is booked until well into January since snow is coming and we need a working blower. Ideas? help? Suggestions?

If need be, remove the belt cover and see if you can turn the crankshaft.

OK, I have sprayed something similar to WD-40 into the engine via the spark plug hole several times over the last 24 hours. Tapped it with a rubber/plastic coated mallet enough to cause it to vibrate but not jar or damage. No luck. Still can't pull the pull cord or start with the starter. It did run fine when it was stored, we used it all winter without issue. I'm stuck! I'll have to se if I can find the instructions on taking off the starter and/or pull cord. Any ideas?

Actually, yes, remove the belt cover and take the belts off.  Determine if it is a problem with the engine or a problem with the transmission in the machine.  The auger belt is suppose to disengage when not in use, but the drive wheels always have part of the system engaged.

I just found an old ariens (model 932001, 20", 2.7hp) sitting out by the dumpster on the way home from work last Friday, same condition except I hadnt try the electric start.  Luckly I was patient and took time to look it over and tried to spin engine from pully side, no luck.  So with  a bit of PB blaster and seafoam down the sparkplug hole and about 2 hours of soaking, I took off the blower and used my channellocks to spin the shaft back and forth until it would cycle all the way around.  Then with an oil check, some fuel, starting fluid, and a new spark plug I had it running within 2 minutes.

It looks just like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ariens-Snow-blower-2-Stage-20-Inches-wide-2-7-H-P-Electric-Start-Runs-Good-/150713847676?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23173ecf7c