Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Toro snowblower, piston cylinder, tecumseh engine

Question
Hi Eric, I had written you about my snow blower and you responded back but I accidently deleted it, anyways I have come to find out that the fuel that was in the blower when it died was plain gas not mixed, the kids where afraid to say anything last winter, so that might change somethings, I dont know, but I tried starting fluid and still nothing and there isnt anything any where that says what engine is in it, it is just a small single cylinder is about all I can tell you.
Thanks,
Tim

Answer
I'm betting it's a Tecumseh engine.  If it is a 2 cycle engine, where you have to mix the gas and oil, and straight gasoline was ran instead of the oil/gas mix then the engine may require rebuilding or replacing.

Remove the spark plug and check for spark.  Just ground the spark plug to some metal, usually the cylinder spark plug hole, and pull the string.  If you see spark then the ignition should be fine.  

If the ignition is producing spark but the engine will not even fire with starting fluid then I'm guessing the compression is too low to run.  If you want to be sure I would replace the spark plug and try starting with starting fluid.

If the engine refuses to start then you may want to remove the muffler and inspect the piston/cylinder.  Using a flashlight, look through the muffler port at the piston and cylinder.  If you see a bunch of scratches or scoring then the piston and cylinder will have to be replaced.  This is fairly expensive and a new blower might be cheaper.  

I'm headed out of town for the holidays but will be available after the 30th if you have any other questions.

Please let me know what you find because I hate to be completely off track.  Based on what you have described though I'm guessing the engine compression it the problem.

Eric