Small Engine Repair Recommendation

wormbreeder Mar 04, 2012 5 Comments

My snow blower conked out and I need to find somewhere to take it for repair. I remember a thread like this not long ago but can’t find it searching here on PDD or through Google. If anyone can find the link and repost in the comments that would be great. Any other recommendations of places to go or to avoid would be appreciated. Any place that will pick up equipment would be most helpful because I don’t have a truck.

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5 Comments

ruby2sd4y

about 13 years ago 

I've always used Lakehead - they pick up and deliver for one fee - reasonable fee and pricing for work done. (I have a REALLY old machine) Some places only take/service certain makes of machines and not all will pu/del - so you might want to call around.Was it already running and died, or not tried this year? If not previously ran, you may wanna invest in a $2 spark plug first just to check. Bring the old one to an automotive store - they'll hook ya up. Is the gas in it old? A little bit of Heat (not a full bottle - maybe 1/4-1/3) might help if it's sat unused w/gas in it for a time. Also, if you were trying to use it on really wet heavy snow, then give it a day or two to 'dry' out, being sure to clean it all off of any excess snow too. Hope that helps!

wormbreeder

about 13 years ago 

I had used it multiple times this year. It was running well and I was almost done when it just died like I had shut it off. No putting or anything - it just stopped firing and that was it. There was a lot of snow flying around, so I thought it just ate some through the air intake. It didn't start after 2 days sitting in the garage to dry out. I doubt it's the spark plug due to the way it died and the fact that it was running really well. There was fresh gas with Sta-bil in it. I drained some gas from the tank and there was no water in the gas. I put gas from the same can into my neighbor's machine and it worked fine.

I imagine it will be some simple reason it's not getting spark but you never know. I will put a new spark plug in to be sure before calling someone.

Nobody

about 13 years ago 

My dad just had a similar problem with his old Toro blower this week...ran fine and then suddenly shut off w/o any sputtering or choking.
Turns out there was a problem with one of the wires that was part of the safety cut-off.  The wire sheath was nicked and the exposed part was hitting something else and grounding.  A new piece of wire (redirected so it won't get nicked!) and a couple of small spade connectors and it was good to go.
Take a look at any wires related to the shut off/key mechanism and the safety handle (if there is one) and make sure everything is A-OK.

wormbreeder

about 13 years ago 

Nobody,

This was my thought, too. I took the shroud off and examined all of the wires connected to the throttle shut-off and the safety shut-off where you stick in the little plastic key but found nothing. I even wiped the grease off of the wires to make sure the plastic was still intact. So if there is a short, it's somewhere further inside where I can't see it.

wormbreeder

about 13 years ago 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had Roy Halverson / Lakehead Boat Basin pick it up and do the repair. Bad ignition coil. I can now second ruby2sd4y's recommendation. They did good work for a reasonable price. They were also very quick. Picked it up one day, fixed it and delivered it the very next day.

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