QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I bought an old 1979 Toro snowblower. The chassis indicates it's a model 1132 (#38090), but based upon the diagrams at Toro's site, it appears as if someone replaced the engine with the 8hp B&S 190402 engine from the similar model 826 (#38150). Seller also said it was 8hp.
Carb has a minor gas leak when sitting, but from your other posts it sounds like this is common and best dealt with by a gas shutoff.
The real issue is tuning. Engine runs with a occasionally faint blue flame visible out the (very short) exhaust. Starts okay with choke but I have to set the choke to about midway to keep it running. If I leave the choke closed too much it sputters and bursts of flame come out the exhaust. If I try to turn off the choke, the short blue flame increases to an intense jet and then it starts to bang.
The person I bought it from accidently half-filled the tank with 2-stroke mixed fuel. Ran it for 5 minutes or so on this to clear some snow, then I topped up the tank with fresh gas and did some serious snow removal. Engine seemed to run fine other than the occasional short blue flame (1 inch or so) and requirement of half-choke. Could the gas-oil mix be part of the problem? Could it have fouled the plug?
Also, do you know what oil this would take and what to verify the fill level against?
Thanks muchly,
David
ANSWER: Hello David:
The Fuel Mixture can Cause the Exhaust to Emit Blue Flames. However, I Suggest you Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl, Float Pin, Float (if Applicable) and Needle Valve and Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. Then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air. Install New Parts if Required. Change the Spark Plug and Set the Plug Gap to .030in. This will Correct the Choke Problem and Make Sure the Carburetor is Not Causing the Problem by Flooding the Cylinder with too Much Gas. Also, the Valve Clearance May Require Resetting or the Flywheel Key May be Damaged. I Suggest you Wait Until the Carburetor is Eliminated before Worrying about the Valves or the Flywheel Key. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Site Addy, http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM and Enter the Model (5 or 6 Digits) and Type Numbers (first 4 digits Only). Example: XXXXXX-XXXX. Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. Now you can Select the Section of the Engine you Wish to View. You can Use Just the Model Numbers (190402) to Locate a Breakdown. 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. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. 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. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: It appears that Gunk carb cleaner isn't available in Canada. What alternatives may I have?
Btw, is that a risk that a gasket or seal may be damaged during the removal? I'd need to plan around it, as it would take time to get spares/replacements here.
Thanks,
David
ANSWER: Hello Again David:
Sea Foam is Another Good Carburetor Cleaner. Usually you Can Soak and Clean a Small Engine Carburetor and Reuse the Gaskets. I Suggest to Everyone to Replace the Gaskets Only if Required. You can Damage a Gasket or the Bowl O-Ring. It is Kind of a Hit and Miss on the Gaskets and Seals being Damaged During the Disassembly Process. I Suggest you Order the Carburetor Rebuild Kit to be Safe. Most of the Gaskets can be Made from Gasket Material. 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. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. 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. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi John,
The saga continues. I didn't get a chance to clean the carb before the next storm (can't find seafoam round here either).
So, I took the snowblower out to clear some very light snow, and got it running as smooth as I could using the choke. Seemed to run fine, except for the occasional very faint jet of flame that I could only see because it was dark.
Then, it sputtered, backfired several times and died. Tried starting it, no joy. The engine feels like it has minimal compression, and there's a noticable "hiss" coming out of the exhaust during what feels like the compression stroke. So, did I kill it? Burnt exhaust valve from running hot perhaps? Could the flame have been signs of the problem at the beginning?
I'm reasonably handy, but this may be wandering into professional help territory, but would like your opinion before I invest more time/money.
Any thoughts or things I should start checking?
Thanks muchly,
David
AnswerHi David:
Actually it is a Good Thing for me, Although Bad for you. This Tells me the Cause of your Problem is in the Valves or the Piston. From the Backfiring, I Saying the Valves. Remove the Cylinder Head and Carburetor from the Engine. Remove the Crankcase Breather Located Behind the Carburetor to have Access to the Valve Springs and Locks. You will Require a Small Engine Valve Spring Compressor for this Procedure. Cost Around here is $20.00. Remove the Valves and Check the Seats of the Insert and the Valve. The Burn Should be Very Obvious. Remember to Lap the New Valve and Set the Valve Clearance. If you Decide to Perform this Repair, Let me Know and I will be Glad to Assist Further. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Site Addy, http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM and Enter the Model (5 or 6 Digits) and Type Numbers (first 4 digits Only). Example: XXXXXX-XXXX. Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. Now you can Select the Section of the Engine you Wish to View. 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. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. 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. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
