QuestionQUESTION: Dear John C. Bridgers Sr.,
I have a ’07 38172 Toro Powerlite 96cc snow thrower with a Tecumseh TH098SA engine. This season I have only been able to get it to run once. That was only with the choke all the way on. It eventually died on me and it has not started since. According to your advise on previous posts I rebuilt the carb and still no luck. I pulled the spark plug and it has a nice spark. So I got a compression gauge from AutoZone and the engine is only generating at best 50psi. Could the failure to start be cause by low engine compression? What is the compression this type of engine needs to start?
On a side note I tried other ways to start the engine. Including starter fluid and putting a small amount of gas directly into the engine. Still no luck. Any guidance you can give me will be grately apprecated.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Stephen
ANSWER: Hello Stephen:
You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower at this Site Addy, https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/default.cfm and Select Start Parts Viewer. Now Enter the Model Numbers (38172) and Click Search. Now Select View Assembly Drawings for your Year Model. This is a 2 Cycle Engine. From your Description it Sounds like 1 of the Following is Causing this Problem. Have you Replaced the Fuel Filter (if it has one)? Did you Check the Exhaust Port and Muffler? If Either of these are Restricted with Carbon Deposits, then the Engine May Run at Idle but will Flood when you Try to Rev the Engine above Idle. The Following is a Basic Instruction File for Doing a Diagnostic on the Engine for this Problem. Any Input is Appreciated. **Remove the Muffler and Make Sure the Exhaust Port is Clear. If it is, then Try to Start the engine with the Muffler Off. If it Starts and Runs Properly, then Clean the Spark Arrestor Screen in the Muffler or Replace the Muffler if Required. Also, Look Into the Exhaust Port and Inspect the Piston and Cylinder. If the Piston and Cylinder have Scratches in them, then the Oil Ratio was Improper and this Explains the Low Compression. This Unit should have 100 PSI Compression. This Unit Requires a Mixed Gas. Have you been Using the Correct Fuel Mix (Ratio) in this Unit? If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi John,
Per your advice I pulled the muffler off. There was a four big gouges in piston and part of the piston ring was sheered off. It was right where the exhaust port is machined in the cylinder block. Then I pulled the header off and you could see some gouges directly in the cylinder block as well. I guess this explains the low compression. Is the only way to fix this is to get a new piston, piston ring and block etc.?
A little more back ground info on the life of this snow blower- before I started to date my girlfriend she was running this machine with no oil in the gas. So eventually it died of course. She then took it to Sears to get it fixed and they supposedly replaced the block(not sure about the piston etc.). The repairs where completed late last season and it was only ran once or twice before being put away. After the repairs from Sears last season the blots that held one of the wheels on fell off. So this season I took the plastic cover off to replace the bolts. As I was doing this I saw that the engine mount was also missing its bolts. Sent it back to Sears and they fixed everything and even cleaned out the carb. They still didn’t use the proper blots for the engine mount. I can see the from the break down of parts on the Toro website. It has had a tough life maybe its time for it to RIP.
Thanks for the help!
Regards,
Stephan
AnswerHello Stephen:
From your Description of the Condition of the Engine it Sounds like you are COrrect and it is Time for this Engine to RIP. The Damage you Described is Consistent with a 2 Cycle Engine being Run without Lubrication in the Gas. From the Damage you Described I Suggest you Purchase a New Engine or a Short Block for this Unit. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks Again for Using All Experts.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Respectfully
John
