WoodyWW

I recently put my 3 1/2 y.o. (SS) Toro 221QR on CL, & sold it today. First 3 yrs., I thought it was fine. This year, it became increasingly hard--or impossible to start. Then, sometimes, when it did start, it'd die after 5 or 10 min., & then again wouldn't start. (I do have a hinky R. wrist, & was kicking myself for not paying the extra $$ for elec. start.) Naturally, (in Mass.), this was the worst snow season in years. Considering the small size, when it ran, it'd do "sort-of-OK" with deep snow, I guess. I've also owned 2 Ariens 2-stage machines. I think--you get "more for your money" with them. Way better build quality. I also hate how Toro nickels & dimes you on the SS machines. "Quick-chute"? $100 extra. Elec. start? $100 extra on top of that. (Last I looked).

aa335 wrote:



I haven't taken off the cowl yet to check the recoil mechanism. And I have no clue how to check the recoil mechanism, or take it off, or apart? I wouldn't want to screw it up worse. Oh, & the 2 yr. warranty is up.

However: Another snow yesterday. Went out this morning; tried to start it, & again after 10 pulls the cord wouldn't pull all the way. 5 min. later, tried it again, & it started after 2 pulls (!?). Ran fine for the 20 min. it took me to get the 6 inches of light fluffy snow of the driveway. I am somewhat rueing the decision tho not to spend another $75 or so to get electric start......

Anyway, thanks to all for the advice.

I've had the 221Q for 3 years, so only really used it for 2 full seasons so far. I always ran out the gas at winter's end, & use fresh gas/oil mix every year. Started it, or tried to, yesterday during that snowstorm in N.E., & found that the starting cord would not pull all the way. I could pull it 1/2 way out, & then there was no pulling it further. That happened about 8 or 9 times out of ten. Finally it started, & ran (a bit roughly) for about 15 min., then the engine died. Went thru the same routine trying to start it; then gave up for awhile & shoveled. Finally started it again, but it ran really rough for only a few min., then the engine died again. Then same routine again 20-30 min. later. Then, 30 min. later, when I was seriously considering shooting it with a shotgun (in reality I don't own a shotgun), I tried to start it again, & it fired right up. Ran great for as much time as it took me to finish the whole driveway! I haven't taken off the plastic shroud cover yet to check the plug; I'm ordering a new spark plug. But my biggest question is: why wouldn't the starting cord pull all the way for dozens of times? I didn't have a chance a starting it when that was happening. TIA for any feedback.

Thanks for all the tips! However, right now, I'm using more gas in my snowblower than my car. I'm going into another major snowstorm in the Northeast today, & worried I'll run out of the 2 cycle oil/gas mix I have left. Why I'm planning to use the 6 mo. old gas for the lawnmower, & mix it w/the 2 cycle oil if need be for the snowblower (pouring it in the 2 cycle oil/gas mix container first of course).

How this came about: 3-4 yrs. ago, after a big blizzard here, I ran out of gas for the snowblower. Which mean't I couldn't get the car out, to go buy gas, for the snowblower.......Spent 2 or  3 days shoveling.....

This pic is from 3 or 4 Snow Storms ago in the Northeast. It's piled way higher now, including on the roof (!!). The little Toro 221Q has been a lifesaver, so far.....

(Damn photobucket doesn't work, so I deleted the faulty link. What's next, locusts?)