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jimsz


Joined: Dec 10, 2011
Points: 3

Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Original Message   Dec 10, 2011 12:45 am
We have an Ariens 26" snowblower - model 8526 with an electric starter and a pull cord. When put away last spring was running fine. Pulled it out yesterday for prep for winter and the electric starter spins and the pull cord can't be pulled. There is good oil in it, etc. Any repair shop is booked until well into January since snow is coming and we need a working blower. Ideas? help? Suggestions?
This message was modified Dec 10, 2011 by jimsz
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FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #3   Dec 10, 2011 8:43 am
trouts2 wrote:
   Possibly a mouse nest under the cowling binding the flywheel.


Those little SOB's get into places you'd never think of looking! I had an old riding mower several years ago that almost caught on fire because of a mouse nest - a big one - under the flywheel cowling.
This message was modified Dec 10, 2011 by FrankMA


Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
New_Yorker


Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary

Location: Long Island, NY
Joined: Nov 26, 2010
Points: 219

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #4   Dec 10, 2011 10:13 am
Have you stored it properly each of those six years by first removing the spark plug, then pouring a tablespoon of motor oil into the cylinder so the piston rings don't rust tight to the cylinder wall, and then pull the cord slowly until it reaches maximum resistance so the engine valves are all closed to keep moisture out during the summer months ?   If not the cylinder wall and the piston are rusted together.  This is why you can't pull that starter cord, not a mouse nest.  Take the plug out spray some penetrating oil inh the engine cylinder and then whack it to create a vibration that will get the oil to break loose the rust.  You don't need to smash the engine block hard, just set up sufficient vibration to cause that  rust to break loose.  Between the penetrating oil and the vibration it should come loose, thenwhen you can get the piston to move again, put in the spark plug and try starting it up.  This is why the manufacturer tells you how to store the machine in the off season.  You should listen to him.
RedOctobyr


Location: Lowell area, MA
Joined: Nov 5, 2011
Points: 282

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #5   Dec 10, 2011 11:09 am
jimsz wrote:
the electric starter spins and the pull cord can't be pulled.

Can you clarify what you mean? The electric starter spins, and also turns the engine over, but it just won't start? Or the electric starter tries to engage, but the engine still won't turn? 

If you can reach the flywheel (maybe up underneath the engine shroud, by the electric starter), can you turn the flywheel at all by hand, in either direction? If the electric starter engages but will not turn the engine, and the pull starter meets resistance but won't turn the engine, and you can't turn the flywheel by hand, then I'd be concerned about something rusting together, as New_Yorker mentioned.

That said, I'll be honest, I've never gone through the procedure of adding oil at the end of the season, turning the engine over, and stopping when I feel compression. And I've never had a problem. Mind you, doing that is still a good idea, it can only help. But just because you *didn't* do that shouldn't mean that all hope is lost. Now, if this gets stored unsheltered, out in the rain all summer, the chances of something rusting up increase considerably.
jimsz


Joined: Dec 10, 2011
Points: 3

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #6   Dec 10, 2011 11:22 am
RedOctobyr wrote:
Can you clarify what you mean? The electric starter spins, and also turns the engine over, but it just won't start? Or the electric starter tries to engage, but the engine still won't turn? 


The starter spins but does not engage or able to turn the engine over. Like the poster above you I am thinking it is rusted. I did put some penetrating oil in last night but did not think to cause a vibration to help in the breaking up of the rust. The blower was stored indoors all year but it was a very damp spring, summer and fall and I do not know what steps were taken for storage as that was done by someone else. I'll give the suggestions a try this morning and post back. The assistance is greatly appreciated!
RedOctobyr


Location: Lowell area, MA
Joined: Nov 5, 2011
Points: 282

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #7   Dec 10, 2011 11:43 am
If it spun before being stored, then personally, I'd be surprised if you would run into trouble with it being stored indoors. Damp spring or not, that's still going to be comparatively dry. My snowblower, mower, weedwhacker, etc, are stored in my garage. My lawn tractor is stored outdoors under a tarp. I've never had an issue like that. That certainly doesn't mean it can't happen, of course.

If you have something like a plastic-faced mallet you might want to try that, if you decide to give the engine a whack to add some vibration. Personally, I wouldn't just haul off and hammer on the aluminum block with a steel hammer. Maybe at least put a piece of wood against the engine, and hit that. Maybe don't hit it on the cooling fins, if possible, you don't want to break any of them.

If you've put oil in the spark plug hole, leave the spark plug out when you're trying to turn the engine over. Otherwise you can end up trying to compress the oil as it gets to the compression stroke, and the oil won't compress. It might simply not turn. If the electric starter is actually spinning, but the engine is not, then that sounds strange. The starter should engage with the flywheel. If the flywheel can't turn, then the starter motor shouldn't be turning either. If the gear on the starter motor cannot actually engage with the flywheel (something is stuck on the starter), that could cause the starter to turn, without turning the engine. It may be worth taking a close look at where the starter engages with the engine's flywheel. Perhaps something is bound/jammed up between the two, and the starter itself is actually what's keeping the engine from being able to turn?
Shryp


Location: Cleveland, OH
Joined: Jul 26, 2010
Points: 532

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #8   Dec 10, 2011 11:45 am
If need be, remove the belt cover and see if you can turn the crankshaft.
jimsz


Joined: Dec 10, 2011
Points: 3

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #9   Dec 11, 2011 1:33 am
OK, I have sprayed something similar to WD-40 into the engine via the spark plug hole several times over the last 24 hours. Tapped it with a rubber/plastic coated mallet enough to cause it to vibrate but not jar or damage. No luck. Still can't pull the pull cord or start with the starter. It did run fine when it was stored, we used it all winter without issue. I'm stuck! I'll have to se if I can find the instructions on taking off the starter and/or pull cord. Any ideas?
Shryp


Location: Cleveland, OH
Joined: Jul 26, 2010
Points: 532

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #10   Dec 11, 2011 1:36 am
Actually, yes, remove the belt cover and take the belts off.  Determine if it is a problem with the engine or a problem with the transmission in the machine.  The auger belt is suppose to disengage when not in use, but the drive wheels always have part of the system engaged.
MGreiner


Location: Iowa
Joined: Dec 12, 2011
Points: 8

Re: Ariens Snowblower 8526 (6yrs old) starter spins, pullcord won't pull
Reply #11   Dec 12, 2011 9:47 pm
I just found an old ariens (model 932001, 20", 2.7hp) sitting out by the dumpster on the way home from work last Friday, same condition except I hadnt try the electric start.  Luckly I was patient and took time to look it over and tried to spin engine from pully side, no luck.  So with  a bit of PB blaster and seafoam down the sparkplug hole and about 2 hours of soaking, I took off the blower and used my channellocks to spin the shaft back and forth until it would cycle all the way around.  Then with an oil check, some fuel, starting fluid, and a new spark plug I had it running within 2 minutes.

It looks just like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ariens-Snow-blower-2-Stage-20-Inches-wide-2-7-H-P-Electric-Start-Runs-Good-/150713847676?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23173ecf7c

This message was modified Dec 12, 2011 by MGreiner


Machines: 80s era 826 John Deere, 1977 Ariens 932001 20in and 2.7hp Tec, 2004 Frontier ST0521
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