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

I just recently purchased a MTD Snowblower with  8hp Tecumseh Engine on it, for $200.00 off of Craigs List.

It was running fine until I put it up on its casining to chech for it being lubed on it's drive gear. Since then it

starts up but will also stall out when I switch it off from full choke, 1/2 choke, then to no choke. It then will not start

even with using the electric starter. I have been online and have read alot of forums on the Tecumseh motors

and have found this one to be the best.   ( Richie ) your comment  being the first one I had read on adjusting the RPM'S

on your engine. I had in other forums have heard of these motors have a common problem of staring issues.

Mostly directed towords the carburator. My brother has the same HP Tecumseh on his Snowblower and it starts

from year to year with out running any Sta-bil in it before parking it in his garage for the next 10 months!!!

Can anyone give me any direction on my next step.

Here is some additional info. 2003 on owners manual, Spec- 155693X HMSK 80, D.O.M. 03325CH0708

Thanks,

Bud

trout2,

Mine is 24" width. I figured that 200.00 was a good price for it. I figured I would get many years of use out of it.

My brother has the same make and he bought his in 96' or so. Mine is 2004 according to the serial #.

I went home again and checked the cap and there is not visible hole on the top of it. I loosened it

up again it ran fine until it ran out of gas. This time I ran it around the yard with the auger engaged until it ran out

of gas. I put more in it and it started right up and continued to run until I shut it down. It has never ran this good with out

stalling out. Now should I drill a small hole ( 1/8" ) in the cap and then put it on and tighten it, to see if it will still run?

I do plan on ordering a new one for it anyway. I fugure, this way, I know this cap is deffinately vened and should not create

the vacum. Hell, if I keep running it I'll soon need to change the oil again! By the way,  would you use a synthetic oil, and

if so, would you still change it after each season??? I'm going out to try running it again - will let you know what happens

Thanks,

Bud

From what I read your first problem mysteriously disappeared allowing you to run longer getting to the second problem. The first might come back. It might be a good time to bone up on carb cleaning, setting the float and knowing how to change out the float needle seat – just in case. You could dry cleaning your cap. Did you look up in there? Any good oil is ok. I’ve been using the lowest cost full synthetic. No blends. Yes, change each year soon after the season when warm weather makes it comfortable to do. For maintenance info search this forum for “eternal”.

trout2,

I ran it all day yesterday and it didn't stall out and not start up again, not once!  I rechecked the cap and found no hole anywhere to be found. I called my brother and his 8hp has no hole in it either. I asked him - how tight does he put his on ann he said, just till it stops. So, I may have been over - tighting mine. It said, no where in not the manul or the repair manual - not too over tighten it. I now think sometime there was dirt blocking the needle valve and causing the one running problem. Given now that I've run it and restarted it many times, and will, on and off to make sure of that. I'm not going to fool with anything for now. The way I ran it around the yard, if it was going to stall out it. It would have. If I do then I'll fool with the carb again.

I'll let you know if I have any problems in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks Bud for all your HELP!

Bud

friiy wrote:
If you run fresh clean gas with stabilizer you don't need to drain it. I never mess with my drain valve or any other carb adjustment. the more you mess with it the more potential problems you have. My Techumseh is 12  years old and never gave me any problems. I maintain it properly. Read my posts # 3 here, and follow my preventive maintance , you too will not have any problems

Hi  BUDHTOWN,

I was wondering how you made out with your blower? How is it running?