Help the Dunce -- Small Engine Problem (Snow Thrower) - Page 3

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 08:28 PM

So my little 5.5 HP snow thrower of last year proved itself pathetically inadequate to a serious New England snowstorm (or 3, or 4, or 5, like we had last winter) and so I sold that off and bought a big sturdy 10.5 HP that ought to be able to handle about the worst that New England has to offer.

We're supposed to get a bit of a storm tonight -- nothing too serious, but I might need it tomorrow morning for the first time this year. It's a 10.5 HP Craftsman with a Briggs and Stratton Engine. The thing has an electric starter, but I was unable to get it to work.

I plugged it in, pushed the button and nothing happened. So my first question is this, does the electric starter thing need to be plugged in for a while to juice up? I would figure that like most appliances, etc., that it will work if it's actually plugged in when you go to use it, and that you only need to keep it plugged in if you want it to stay charged for a while.

That is a minor question -- the next one is far more important to me.

I ditch the electric start up and go for the manual one. Prime twice, pull once, and she fires up fine. Wait a bit, then turn the choke down to off. Splutter a bit, turn the choke back up a bit, wait a bit, turn it down, and then off.

10 seconds later the fracking thing starts to smoke. It's pretty cold here -- maybe 20 degrees, so maybe it's just steam, but it sure looks like smoke. Worse, the aluminum top of the muffler or whatever it is is hot to the touch. Like really hot. Hotter than I would think it should be, especially since it's only been running for like 30 seconds total at this point.

So I turn it off and go into hte house muttering to myself.

Random facts:

1. yes, I checked the engine oil, and it seemed fine.

2. damn thing doesn't have a throttle, at least so far as I could find.

Any thoughts/help???

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vos

I need a pic of the entire blower,if you can find it..it would be more helpful

\

This is it:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Delano · 02-01-2007, 09:09 PM

If you let it run as suggested and it continues to run like shit you can call 18004myhome or something like that and they will send a service guy out. You have a large enough engine to have a free service call at your home instead of having to bring it back in.

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vos

I agree with Donger

For real?

**Donger** · 02-01-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

\

This is it:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

Holy sh*t. That fucker weighs 290 pounds?

**Donger** · 02-01-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

For real?

Do you really think I'd give poor mechanical advice to a fellow history buff?

**2112** · 02-01-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

For real?

That thing is huge..it's going to sound rough starting it up for the first time in the cold....let it run for a while...

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Holy sh*t. That fucker weighs 290 pounds?

Could be. It's fracking heavy, I'll tell you that. My buddy and I manhandled it up into his pickup truck using a couple of slats of wood and "walking" it up. We were more than a bit nervous that the wood would slide or whatever, which would NOT have been a pretty picture.

**Donger** · 02-01-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vos

That thing is huge..it's going to sound rough starting it up for the first time in the cold....let it run for a while...

I think he's trying it.

* Getting marshmallows and popcorn *

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vos

That thing is huge..it's going to sound rough starting it up for the first time in the cold....let it run for a while...

The noise didn't bother me. The engine didn't sound that bad.

It was the fucking smoke that disturbed me, and the rapidly heating aluminum cover.

But if you guys say so....

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Do you really think I'd give poor mechanical advice to a fellow history buff?

My main worry is that, like me, while you could name 20 significant historical figures and write a 500 word essay on each about why they were important, without breaking a sweat, your technical knowledge barely goes beyond flicking a light switch.

**2112** · 02-01-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The noise didn't bother me. The engine didn't sound that bad.

It was the fucking smoke that disturbed me, and the rapidly heating aluminum cover.

But if you guys say so....

Check to make sure that there aren't any stickers or anything that would burn on it..you should be alright.

Amnorix · 02-01-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

I think he's trying it.

* Getting marshmallows and popcorn *

You suck.

Seriously, I've packed it in for the evening. I'm about to hit the sack. I'll see if I can't burn the house down tomorrow. My wife tells me the storm is missing us, but next week could be a whopper coming in. Too early to be usre.

Been a very dull winter, actually, for these parts.

**Donger** · 02-01-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The noise didn't bother me. The engine didn't sound that bad.

It was the fucking smoke that disturbed me, and the rapidly heating aluminum cover.

But if you guys say so....

Can you shovel a little and fire it up on the driveway? Just in case you're about to give the matches to the pyromaniacs?

**Donger** · 02-01-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

My main worry is that, like me, while you could name 20 significant historical figures and write a 500 word essay on each about why they were important, without breaking a sweat, your technical knowledge barely goes beyond flicking a light switch.

I come from a long line of engineers, believe it or not, and I know my way around engines. The goobers who put it together probably "lost" a washer or something putting it togther, or it's burning off some sealant.

I'm no RadarChief, but if you can get it to run, let it run.

**Donger** · 02-01-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

You suck.

Seriously, I've packed it in for the evening. I'm about to hit the sack. I'll see if I can't burn the house down tomorrow. My wife tells me the storm is missing us, but next week could be a whopper coming in. Too early to be usre.

Been a very dull winter, actually, for these parts.

You're a thrower tease. I can't believe it. Amnorix is a THROWER TEASE!

02-01-2007, 08:28 PM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	Help the Dunce -- Small Engine Problem (Snow Thrower) So my little 5.5 HP snow thrower of last year proved itself pathetically inadequate to a serious New England snowstorm (or 3, or 4, or 5, like we had last winter) and so I sold that off and bought a big sturdy 10.5 HP that ought to be able to handle about the worst that New England has to offer. We're supposed to get a bit of a storm tonight -- nothing too serious, but I might need it tomorrow morning for the first time this year. It's a 10.5 HP Craftsman with a Briggs and Stratton Engine. The thing has an electric starter, but I was unable to get it to work. I plugged it in, pushed the button and nothing happened. So my first question is this, does the electric starter thing need to be plugged in for a while to juice up? I would figure that like most appliances, etc., that it will work if it's actually plugged in when you go to use it, and that you only need to keep it plugged in if you want it to stay charged for a while. That is a minor question -- the next one is far more important to me. I ditch the electric start up and go for the manual one. Prime twice, pull once, and she fires up fine. Wait a bit, then turn the choke down to off. Splutter a bit, turn the choke back up a bit, wait a bit, turn it down, and then off. 10 seconds later the fracking thing starts to smoke. It's pretty cold here -- maybe 20 degrees, so maybe it's just steam, but it sure looks like smoke. Worse, the aluminum top of the muffler or whatever it is is hot to the touch. Like really hot. Hotter than I would think it should be, especially since it's only been running for like 30 seconds total at this point. So I turn it off and go into hte house muttering to myself. Random facts: 1. yes, I checked the engine oil, and it seemed fine. 2. damn thing doesn't have a throttle, at least so far as I could find. Any thoughts/help???
Posts: 43,125

02-01-2007, 09:09 PM	#32
Delano [b]Supporter[/b] Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A Hypnagogic Landscape Casino cash: $7715015	If you let it run as suggested and it continues to run like shit you can call 18004myhome or something like that and they will send a service guy out. You have a large enough engine to have a free service call at your home instead of having to bring it back in. __________________ A million CPilgrims face Mecca. Think of the power behind that fact. All logging in now. And bending. And praying. ChiefsPlanet is the angle at which realities meet. - Don DeLillo
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