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

     First post here but before I start, I must say great board! I have read through many of the pages here and have learned a lot already!

OK, here is the story. My dad gave me his old Ariens snowblower 2 years ago. It has a 24 inch cutting path and has a 8HP techemsa engine. It has 5 or 6 speeds forward and one reverse. My best guess is it is 17 to 20 years old. On the outside, it is in pretty good shape as it was always kept in a garage. When i got the machine, it ran but not very well...it had to have the choke 1/2 way out and would pop through the exhaust. My dad would leave gas in it and he probably neve changed the oil!!! I took care of the easy stuff and changed the oil. I made it through the first winter and this past fall, I cleaned out the carb real well and got it to run MUCH better! I still could not push the choke in all the way though. Well today I started the machine up and before I could get to the fist pile of snow, I blew the connecting rod out the side of the block!

So I showed my wife who says we can't live without a snowblower (Oh do I love her!!!) so I explained we will need $1,000 for a replacement. I got the OK :)

My questions are:

1, Is this really worth fixing?

2, Is my old machine worth anything? I live in Wantagh Long Island NY If anyone is interested

3, If I replace, I am looking at Ariens 8526LE, or the 926DLE or the Simplicity 9560E or 1060DLE....are my choices good?

Thanks everyone,

Brian

http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian

Here is a question...when I started this machine, it started kinda ruff and the rpm fluctuated a bit. it then blew. The engine was not on more than 60 to 90 seconds! Do you think in under 2 minutes it could get that hot or do you think that the damage was probably done the last time I used it.

When I got this old machine, my dad gave me a bottle of lead additive. He said that I needed to add a little to the fuel for this machine...could that have had anything to do with the failure?

I know it is all rather pointless at this time but it is still good information to keep under the belt.

Different topic: On my new machine (Ariens 8526le) I have started it and made sure everything was working good. I then ran the engine with the fuel cut-off turned off to use up the fuel in the line. I am putting Stabhl  (SP?) in the tank...is there anything else I need to do to store a new machine. And of course this machine takes normal unleaded gas right?

Brian,

most people never know what happens to there engine,it just quits.

the lead substuitute is supposed to help with valve guides ...its a questionable practice.

and your new blower ...you should put stabilizer in your fuel when you purchase it. and then when you are finished with it ,which we never know until its to late you are already done.

later chris

Remember me?  Well after a year with my Bradley 32 inch mower (see my reviews) it has been great! The Craftsman Yard Vac was a life saver again! Lots of leaves!!!

So now it is SNOW season again! I have winterized all of my summer OPE and brought out the Ariens  Lets see what this puppy can do!!!