So I got the snowblower to start...however...

[Tutorman101]

...it won't stay running once I open the choke and try to raise the throttle.

It starts quite reliably, thanks much to this forum, you guys are the best. And it idles nicely with the choke still closed. However, once I start to turn the choke to open, it peters out. I do let it run for a bit with the choke closed hoping that a little warm-up will help. I simply can't get it to stay running at full bore.

Please tell me that there is an idle screw adjustment or something else simple...that would be awesome...we got some snow coming our way today.

Thanks much to you all...I hope your Christmas and Hannukah and every other holiday were great!

[Jeff in PA]

Now's a fine time to ask but ...... did you count the turns off bottom before removing the adjustment screws?

If so, use those adjustment settings.

If not, turn against bottom ( very lightly ) and turn out 1-1/2 turns.

Depending on your carb, there may be two screws in the side or one in the side and one on the bottom of the fuel bowl.

Jeff

[DJ in WV]

We need more information before we can really help you.

We need to know what kind of blower you are working on, what engine, model numbers, etc.

I'm sure it will be easy to set once we know what we are trying to help with.

[slkpk]

Try some SeaFoam in it while it's running. slkpk

[Jeff in PA]

Originally Posted by DJ in WV

We need more information before we can really help you.

We need to know what kind of blower you are working on, what engine, model numbers, etc.

I'm sure it will be easy to set once we know what we are trying to help with.

Here's his original thread titled Can't start my snowblower...please help!
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=163646

from the thread
It's a Craftsman (which may, in fact, be another mistake), model 247.886640, 5HP, 2 stage, 24".

[2cycled fruitcake]

good luck with the snow fighting,
man i wish i was there, got family on long island i am stressin over

[Fcubman]

Sounds like you're still running lean.

1) You may still have a blocked passage in the main jet
2) You may have a vacuum leak, such as carb mounting screws loose, etc.
3) Your float level may be too low (not all that likely).
4) You need to back out your main jet adjusting screw (if you have one) a good ½ turn, and if that improves the running, adjust it according to procedure.

I'd start with #4, the #2, then #1. I just typed them in the order they occurred to me, not in order of probability.

[Tutorman101]

Thank you to Jeff in PA for the link to my original thread...

On this carb, the main jet is part of the bowl screw and is non-adjustable. I took said screw out last week and cleaned out really well (I think). Before I cleaned the screw, it wouldn't start at all...so I'm guessing that the main jet screw is not the issue.

According to the carb diagrams, there is a throttle crack screw and an idle restrictor screw...might one of them be the key? Is there someplace to view an online manual about a particular carb?

I'm going to give it another shot...maybe let it run with the choke closed for longer...let's see what happens!

Thanks again for your help!

[oldebonnie]

Try it with the gas cap loose enough to allow venting. Your cap vent may be blocked.

[Tutorman101]

Interesting! That will be next. I never knew that there needed to be venting of the gas tank.

I'm tempted to post a video on YouTube of me attempting to get this thing running...maybe that will help.

[Fcubman]

You need to let air into the gas tank in order to let gas out, otherwise you'd end up with a vacuum in the tank.

Even if the intake system had a vacuum leak, the engine would speed up from idle, so I think we can rule that out.

And, even if the idle was badly adjusted, it should still run at higher throttle openings with the choke closed, since the idle system plays less of a role at higher RPMs.

To my thinking, that leaves the float level, or lack of fuel getting into the bowl. I can't think of any mechanical issues that would cause this, but perhaps someone else will.

This is a puzzler, for sure!

[jtclays]

Tutorman, Did you get any engine code numbers? Is it a tec or Briggs? Assuming you got engine numbers to order the bowl gasket if you post those we can probably find a schematic to show. From your last post on the previous thread you mentioned gas leaking from the bowl. Did you do anything with the needle and seat/float. If you had the green haze you described in the bowl, it's on the needle and the seat too.
Also, you mentioned "idle restrictor screw" your may have a completely non adjustable tecy carb(emission type). If that's the case, you need to take out the restrictor screw and clean it just like the main bowl nut screw like these pics.(blue highlighted box) On a regular adjustable carb that screw will have a spring between the head and the body of the carb.


That screw will look like this and need to be cleaned with a bread tie wrap sized wire.


Another simple thing to check since it is starting is the linkage from the throttle to the carb/governor. If you have the carb heater box off and start the machine, watch closely to see that as you throttle up, the linkage is actually moving the throttle on the carb body. Sometimes the linkage can get bent, knocked off, sticky throttle plate and even though you're moving the "throttle" at the sign that says "throttle" the real throttle of the carb is not.

[Tutorman101]

Originally Posted by Fcubman

You need to let air into the gas tank in order to let gas out, otherwise you'd end up with a vacuum in the tank.

I'm a science teacher, I should have known that, duh!
Absent-minded professor is more like it...thank you Fcubman!

Jtclays, your idea for that screw is next!

It's snowing and blowing like a madman here...the wind is creating some drifts that are chest high, and some areas that seem about knee deep. I had to fight my way into some of it today just to clear a spot for the dog to pee.

So here my plot thickens: for some reason (I have NO IDEA what the reason is), I decided to tighten up the bowl screw with a couple of cranks...maybe I misread something. It was a bad idea because fuel started dripping out of the carb...so DUMB!! So, I loosened the screw and retightened it, but gently...and a very slow drip continued. I tightened a bit more and the drip slowed...slowed so much that I put a piece of cardboard under the bowl and left it there. I came back after 15 min or so and found a drip spot. I repeated this process 2 or 3 more times (tighten the screw EVER SO gently, leave a piece of carboard, come back and check) and still found a very slow drip. Overnight, the very slow drip continued...not enough to leave fluid that could run, but a drip nonetheless. Can't get a new screw gasket (that's what broke on me last week) because I'm snowed in.

So here's the question: when the wind dies down and I don't mind opening the garage, should I bother to try and get this thing running with a slight fuel drip out of the carb??

Thanks much...I hope your snow removal efforts go smoother than mine!! A wife, two kids and a dog all trapped in here with me. Sam Adams, where are you??????

[oldebonnie]

Originally Posted by Fcubman

You need to let air into the gas tank in order to let gas out, otherwise you'd end up with a vacuum in the tank.

Even if the intake system had a vacuum leak, the engine would speed up from idle, so I think we can rule that out.

And, even if the idle was badly adjusted, it should still run at higher throttle openings with the choke closed, since the idle system plays less of a role at higher RPMs.

To my thinking, that leaves the float level, or lack of fuel getting into the bowl. I can't think of any mechanical issues that would cause this, but perhaps someone else will.

This is a puzzler, for sure!

What Fcubman said. If you have suitable material a gasket is easily made. A small gas leak shouldn't be an issue (temporarily) so log as it isn't near the exhaust.

How long does it run at full throttle before it "peters out"?

I'm on the road today. Good luck. I'll check back this evening.

[Tutorman101]

I thought about making a gasket...but do I have suitable material?? Hmm...

It won't run at full throttle at all... I can't even get it to run for long with the choke partly open. It will seemingly run for plenty long on lowest throttle and choke closed.