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

I've got a 2003 MTD 5hp snowblower and it was working good until I heard something break.

I thought it was a aluminum pop can or something by the sound at first but it almost sounded more internal.

My snowblower still starts and moves forwards and still reverses but dies when I try to engage the auger.

If anyone can help me figure out what that sounds like I'd appreciate it thanks.

Sounds like the front gearbox let go.  Either that or something got picked up and it is now jammed.

Pull the spark plug wire off then look around for anything that doesn't look right.
Check for ice buildup back around the impeller fan blade.
Try to turn the impeller by hand through the front or through the chute.
Try turning the front spirals forwards and backwards and feel for any give.
Pull the belt cover off and have a look, but if it is dieing I doubt it is a belt problem unless it came off the track and is now tangled up somehow.

Frozen impeller?

Found that bolt I was looking for! I went to go look around and cleared some snow.
Now I just gotta get the bastard out.

Thanks for the help!

Uhh, I think we lost the train of thought already.

I fixed the picture, nice bolt huh?

Ahh, ok.  Now I understand.  I thought we jumped off topic.  The picture clears that up.

First: trouts2 will yell at you for posting such a big picture.
You should resize to 640x480 or something because that is huge.

Second: disconnect the spark plug wire.

Third: Stick your hand or, if you want to be safe and keep your hand, a stick in there and turn the impeller backwards.
You won't be able to turn the augers, you have to reach the impeller in the back.  Make sure you turn it backwards which
basically amounts to reaching through the chute and pushing down instead of up like it moves when throwing.

Suprising that it stopped dead like that and didn't break the shear bolts.  Maybe you should pull the shear bolts out
and make sure that the rakes are not stuck in the shaft.  When they get jammed they are suppose to break so you don't
ruin the gears inside the gearbox.