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

Inherited this machine from my father-in-law over 30 years ago, and it has been running fine - mostly.   In starting it yesterday (anticipating today's blizzard) noted the following:

• Started on full choke, but could not back off without stalling (that's just sitting in the garage).
• Let it warm up for 30 min - still on full choke, but try to back off, or try to engage forward motion - stall.
  

 I'm guessing that it's a carburetor problem, likely not helped by year-old gas in the tank (although shutoff valve closed. So I've started removing the carburetor to prepare it for a fix up.

1. removed the manual choke assist (closes the intake throat, but is spring-loaded to release when you let go)
   
2. removed the sheet metal "airbox" that surrounds the carburetor - carefully.
   
3. removed the fuel line from the carb. Note: no sign of either an air filter (note - I've learned from other posts that air filters are not required for snow-thros), or a fuel line filter so far.
   
4. removed the throttle linkage to free up space near the carb.I saw two 7/16 nuts attached (apparently) to studs that held the carb to the intake manifold. Removed the exhaust/muffler to get better access to the left nut, and also removed the carb bowl.
   
5. carefully started backing out the nuts. And here's where I ran into trouble. Both nuts appeared to be firmly attached to their studs. But as I attempted to back them out, I did not see the nut/stud assembly moving away from the carburetor mounting flange. I see no hint of a nut on the manifold side of the carburetor flange.
   

Thanks. We are about up to 2ft of snow so far.

Paul7 wrote:
Good advice.  Thanks Paul7.

I did not pay attention to the linkage connections before I disconnected the carburetor.  Anyone with a similar rig know how to connect the two items shown here?

Thanks!

   The lower rod has one end in the governor arm (arm is in the lower right of the picture). 

   The other end goes into one of the 2 holes on the edge of the butterfly throttle plate (the plate
with two small holes and two big holes).  Look to see which hole is more worn (the smaller holes). 
 
  If you can't tell put it in the hole closest to the the governor arm.

   The spring goes around the governor arm near the throttle plate.

   The throttle cable connects at the top left of your picture and goes in the single hole on the tab sticking out.

   Underneath:
     When you push the throttle cable to full throttle a rod underneath will tension the spring.   In the picture you can see a piece of that rod.  It's the inverted U on the top right of
the platform.  You adjust the governor by widening or closing the arms of the U.  That changes the tension on the spring.
 
     Underneath there should be one or two screws.  Those are for setting the idle and high speed.

Thanks for the note and suggestions.


http://scotlawrence.smugmug.com/Snow-Blowers/Ariens/DSC06145/773505262_omiYq-XL.jpg

http://scotlawrence.smugmug.com/Snow-Blowers/Ariens/DSC06144/773505035_sPVyj-XL.jpg

http://scotlawrence.smugmug.com/Snow-Blowers/Ariens/DSC06143/773504823_NNL8L-XL.jpg

They show a straight rod (mine was bent) and the spring  (and rod) ) connected to the same hole in the butterfly plate.  I followed Scot's  lead, straightened mine and connected to a hole in the plate that showed a paint chip.  I think that's pretty close to your suggestion.  Here's what my configuration looks like now:

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/eyetrply/IMG_4230_zpsc9vywzo0.jpg

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww259/eyetrply/IMG_4231_zpsplkt3xrz.jpg

Incidentally, I followed the carb cleaning advice of sixtyfiveford,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9ko4gbIA_I&src_vid=KYj5oH0vNVg&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_790286  (part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HNFUjgbJ0A (part 2)

I replaced the seat for the needle, cleaned the main jet and the idle jet.


FInally, time to fire it up. The two pics above show the carb and surroundings.  I didn't bother with the metal surround.  Hooked up gas line.  Hooked up throttle line.  Opened the gas shutoff.  Turned over, but no start.  electric starter is nice, but still not starting.  Shot of starter fluid - fires once, but that's it.  Added more gas.  Repeat.  No start.  I've never had this problem with my ariens. 

I'm stumped.

Fast forward to July, and warmer weather. Ariens 910962: feet still up in the air. Enter Steve, a smart neighbor, with advice and encouragement. By this time I had bought a TEC carburetor 631440, which was not an identical replacement for mine, but had new jets and needles for spare parts. Tried the 631440 out of the box, and the machine runs. Back to the OEM carb – main difference was that the (adjustable) idle jet was fully closed (and was bound up), so re-cleaned, and backed it out to the 1 turn suggested by sixtyfiveford. That did it – the Ariens roared to life – no smoke, nice even slow idle, and choke nearly off.

The OEM gas tank is looking a bit rusty on the inside, so will be looking for a plastic replacement before the snow falls.

Thanks all for your help.