Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 8HP Craftsman snwblower/fuel, shear pins, screw out


Question
On Dec. 15th I sent an query for trouble starting the snowblower, Tecumseh engine.  Your suggestions were to make sure fresh gas, turn float bowl screw out 1.5 turns and 3/4 turn out for the mixtures screw on the side.  She's running pretty good and not backfiring at all, but the muffler is getting red hot.... that can't be good, any thoughts.  Also, I had the auger stop turning like it's stuck?  When I shut it off to inspect it (I took out the sparkplug) I can't see any rocks stuck in the main auger area and the auger was hard turning by hand when it's in neutral, like it's jammed up.  The pins (I think they're called shear pins? are okay.  The belt seems fine and it looks like it's in good shape, any thoughts on that?  Thank you for help, much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Chris,

The muffler should not be red hot.
An overheated muffler usually indicates a leaking exhaust valve, which might have been a problem from the beginning.
You could adjust the high speed screw out a little, which will richen the mixture and might allow the engine to run cooler. If no change, you will need to do a compression test to check the valve.
If only one front auger stops, [If I recall, yours is a 2 stage unit with twin front augers.] then a shear pin or gear in the center gearbox is broken.  Usually when either one breaks it will allow you to turn the auger by hand when the engine is off.  If both augers stopped, then there was some other breakdown in the drive path.  Check each component from the crankshaft to the pulley/s through the belt/s, to the gearbox, the inner auger shafts and finally to the augers.

Let me know how you make out.

Good Luck,
Michael