QuestionQUESTION: Two days ago in preparation for the nor'easter my husband filled the gas tank of the snowblower. It ran perfectly. This morning at 6:30 am he went out to do the driveway at it will not start. The first thing that happened is the pull cord broke. It was frayed. So he put that all back together and used the electric start. It churrrrrer rrrrer rrrrers but it willnot turnover. He went out and bought a new spark plug even though he knew his was perfect but just in case. It is still out there just not turning over. Any thoughts before my day is completely ruined?
ANSWER: Hello Dawn:
Send me the Make, Model, Type and Code Numbers Off the Engine, Please. How Much Gas was in the Blower When he went to Clear the Driveway? Did the Gas in the Tank Seem Lower than it Should have? Does the Crankcase Oil Smell Like Gas? Is the Spark Plug Firing? If Yes, then Pour a Small Amount of Gas Into the Carburetor Throat and Try to Start the Engine. What Happens? Thanks.
Respectfully
John
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QUESTION: So, he's got good spark, drained the new gas that he had just put in, cleaned out the bowl of the carberator and put that all back together, then decided to take off the muffler for some strange reason and found the top opening of the OHValve full of of ice. We took out the ice and blew it out with air and took a hair dryer to it and put the whole thing back together and still it won't run. It turns over but does not run. Now he is wondering if he busted the valve? It is a Sears, Craftsman Intek 7.75 hp. His biggest question is do you think he ruined the valve somehow? It was 70 degrees 2 days ago and now we have a foot of snow. The ice was about 1/2 inch thick with water under it. H-E-L-P!!!!!
ANSWER: Hello Again Dawn:
I Really Require the Model Numbers to Give a Proper Answer. The Valve May have Stretched and Requires Adjusting. The Valve May be Bent and is Sticking. Does the Engine have Compression? Does it have Too Much Compression(turns easy then almost snatches the starter handle out of your hand or locks up the electric starter). Where and How did the Water Get Into the Valve Port? Thanks.
Respectfully
John
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QUESTION: Hi John,
My wife sent out the information that I gave her. So here is what I've concluded. I have determind that the timing chain,belt or gear has failed in the bottom of the engine or cam because I really don't know whats down there. I have first things first checked spark, drained tank and cleaned carb, sprayed starter fluid in carb didn't want to fire, then down cylinder didn't want to fire. I decided to look under OVC plate and noticed the valves weren't moving when I turned it over so I took off the pull starter and got to the flywheel and decided that the key was in place and the flywheel was tight and in place. So whatever moves the intake and exhaust valves is not working, my last test was to turn it over and manually open intake valve after spraying starter fluid in the carb, this had good results as it fired for the first after about six hours of fooling around with this thing, it was cold and had to go inside and warm up now and then. Anyway to complete the story I did have the exhaust port filled with ice and after heating this up and getting out the ice I could see the exhaust valve down the port and it looked ok even though at the time I didn't know or think that was the culprit of this thing not running. So again I conclude that when I went to start the machine at 5:30am on the 17 of March and I pulled the handle and the rope broke and was then holding the handle not attached anymore that what I thought was just a freyed rope was actually the moter pulling back and something breaking down below but didn't realize it because the thing always started first pull or at least acted like it wanted to start and was excited to finally use my snowblower cause it's kind of fun being the first with a clean driveway in the neighborhood, now I have the biggest mess in the hood. And one of the valves was probably frozen shut from ice and pulling that cord made something work that wanted to be stuck.
So what makes the valves move a cam and a belt/chain or a gear? we are talking about a rebuild here if I am right? I have a protection agreement with Sears on the product are we talking a new engine?
So anyway write back if you like but I think I nailed the problem and am kind of proud of the fact that I got to the bottom of it or feel I have even though I don't what's down there that has failed.
Thanks in advance for your time John,
Tim Cripe
Answer Hell Tim:
The Valves are Moved by a Cam. On the OHV Engines, the Valve Adjusters Move and the Valves Become Out of Adjustment. Check the Valve Clearance. Set the Piston to Top Dead Center and then Set the Valve Gap to: Intake .003in - .005in and the Exhaust .008in - .010in. I think you will Find the Valve Adjustment will Most Likely be the Problem. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
