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Wheels


Location: Kingsville, MD
Joined: Jan 17, 2005
Points: 19

Unexplained shutdowns
Original Message   Mar 1, 2005 6:24 pm
My new (this season) Ariens 8526 works well and I love it.  But (you knew there was a 'but' coming up), twice now the motor has stopped for no apparent reason.  It just shuts down.  I then check the gas tank.  There is gas.  Both times I pushed it back to the garage and decided to try to start it.  Both times it started on the second pull and proceeded to run just fine while I finished the job.  Any ideas about whats happening?  As long as it restarts, I don't consider it a 'showstopper' type of problem.  But I would like to know why it shuts down. 

The fuel that is in the tank now is about a month old and it has stabilizer in it.

All input is appreciated.   

Ariens 8526LE, Cub Cadet 2185 LT, Troy Bilt 8hp 5550 Watt Generator
Replies: 3 - 12 of 18Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
Wheels


Location: Kingsville, MD
Joined: Jan 17, 2005
Points: 19

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #3   Mar 1, 2005 7:15 pm
Thanks Marshall.  The cap is probaby it.  Each time I took the cap off to check fuel level, which then vented it.

My cap has a rubber piece in the center on the inside.  I don't know if anything is missing, or if it should look different than it does.

But at least I feel better knowing what's going on.  I'll check one at the dealer or HD (if they still have any) to see what the cap looks like.

Thanks for the help.

Ariens 8526LE, Cub Cadet 2185 LT, Troy Bilt 8hp 5550 Watt Generator
robmints


Joined: May 13, 2003
Points: 4691

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #4   Mar 1, 2005 7:18 pm
Wheels,
It has happened twice. We have only blown 3 maybe 4 times. Is it something you could repeat if wanted to? Or it just bit you twice for no reason, but you used it other times with no problem? What did the dealer say? You did end up buying from Jim Lyons, right?

No sense not trying the cap first. Try to get the latest and greatest 2005 cap. Snowshoveler indicated they were different/better in some way.
snowshoveler


tides in dirts out surfs up

Location: bridgewater nova scotia...aka the swamp
Joined: Jan 3, 2003
Points: 1261

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #5   Mar 1, 2005 7:24 pm
hi Wheels...

upon examining your gas cap ,you said your cap has a rubber mounted inside.

there are 2 different caps.

so ill try to describe both,the old version has the rubber held on with an aluminum washer shaped disc

the new style has no aluminum disc the rubber is held on by a mushroom in the cap itself.

your machine could have either one on it .

please discribe yours a bit better.

later chris

craftsman 10/28 snowblower with tracks   husky 372xpg chainsaw   sachs dolmar bc212 bushsaw   mondo trimmer   monster tractor with trailer    cheep wheelbarro and couple shovels and a partridge in a pear tree 
Richie


Bring On The White Stuff

Location: Long Island, New York
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Points: 562

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #6   Mar 1, 2005 7:54 pm
Wheels wrote:

My cap has a rubber piece in the center on the inside.  I don't know if anything is missing, or if it should look different than it does.

Hi Wheels,

It sounds like you have the newer gas cap already.  The newer caps, visually, have a rubber gasket piece on the underside with a little nipple in the center of it.  I don't know if overtighting them can cause them not to vent. 

Richie
robmints


Joined: May 13, 2003
Points: 4691

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #7   Mar 1, 2005 8:06 pm
I would not usually ask a stupid question about oil, except my friend, who should know better, just ran the log splitter engine out of oil. 
Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #8   Mar 1, 2005 8:15 pm
Wheels wrote:
Thanks Marshall.  The cap is probaby it.  Each time I took the cap off to check fuel level, which then vented it.

My cap has a rubber piece in the center on the inside.  I don't know if anything is missing, or if it should look different than it does.

But at least I feel better knowing what's going on.  I'll check one at the dealer or HD (if they still have any) to see what the cap looks like.

Thanks for the help.


Anytime Wheels! I had an old push mower that it happened to all of the time, it's the first thing that comes to mind anymore when I here this kind of engine happening.
buttlint


Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Points: 791

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #9   Mar 1, 2005 8:22 pm
Wheels,
The easiest way too know if you have a cap problem is too remove the fuel line from the tank with the cap on. (Put a container under it.)
If you have a venting problem.....it may drip a couple of shots of gas for about 3 seconds...but then it will stop flowing completely.
If you then loosen the cap and get fuel flow...then you can be sure you that have a cap venting problem.
AJace


I have an Ariens 926 Pro because I like Orange



Location: Near Gettysburg
Joined:
Points: 969

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #10   Mar 1, 2005 9:28 pm
Thanks Lint, I'll remember this method. 

Ariens 926 DLE Professional; Toro S200; Craftsman LT1000, Echo ES-230;

Wheels


Location: Kingsville, MD
Joined: Jan 17, 2005
Points: 19

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #11   Mar 2, 2005 3:00 pm
Robmints - I probably used it three times.  So one time it did not shut down.

Yes I did buy it from Jim Lyons and no I haven't talked to him about the problem yet.  The second failure was just yesterday.  I'll run it past him when I get a chance, but I think this cap venting is the problem.

Snowshoveler - I looked inside my cap again.  I don't see any aluminum piece on the inside.  Just the rubber nipple shaped protrusion on the inside.

When I put the cap back on just now I did not tighten it as much as usual.  We'll see what happens, but it probably won't snow again.

Ariens 8526LE, Cub Cadet 2185 LT, Troy Bilt 8hp 5550 Watt Generator
Neil


Joined: Jan 25, 2005
Points: 5

Re: Unexplained shutdowns
Reply #12   Mar 3, 2005 12:32 pm
I have the 8526 myself and had two unexplained shut down.  Each time I removed the cap and all is well.  I have the gas cap with the rubbber insert, if you look closely at the rubber flat side, you will see channels if you may, that allow the gas to vent from the center to through these channels to the outside.  I think the problem is when you tighten the cap and close off these channels in the rubber then you have the vent lock problem.  I think dealers and or Ariens should make a note to let customers be aware of this.  Do not over tight the gas cap and you shall be ok, providing of course you have the new cap design.

Neil
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