5hp Tecumseh Mastercraft (MTD) snow blower has no power. Part 1 of 2.

[@Rob-Müller]

Excellent video. A lot of help for those who have not done any of this before. I have the HM80 Tecumseh on mine. Runs quite well. Only problem is it sometimes stalls when revving it up. Have you ever come across this issue with these engines. I recently put on a replacement carb from Amazon and tuned it.

[@randomwrenching]

Usually I find if it stalls when revving it up, it may be running lean. Make sure all your gaskets are the right size and all the carb and intake mounting bolts are tight.

[@Rob-Müller]

You were exactly correct. No vacuum leaks, just needed to adjust the main jet a little. Problem solved! Thanks.@@randomwrenching

[@peterottes6900]

This was an awesome video. I appreciate what you showed here. Learned a few things. I have a 10 hp. Murray that someone gave me and I've been going through it. I need it for some clearing on my property after I get home from plowing for the town I work for. I might need to lap the valves myself but it does the job for now so I might leave it until I can work on it at my convenience. Going to watch the next video see how that went..

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks for the sub and the comment!

[@lenmelendez4516]

Awesome job explaining about compression. You can go out and buy a used snowblower but have no power even though they run . Also explaining the linkage and governor set up some good information there as well .

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks for the great comment!

[@fivepointeightnate]

If you don't have a leak down tool you can always rig a air line to the spark plug hole and regulate the flow. Do a sound check like you did. Poor man leak down check. Won't get % numbers but good for troubleshooting.

[@randomwrenching]

Absolutely correct.

[@charlieg.6242]

Great video man, Nice job.

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks for the comment!

[@len4338]

First time watching one of your videos, I have been a huge fan of small engine repair videos. You do an awesome job at explaining !! New subscriber here,,,,, trying to educate myself and I do all of my own repairs when I can so the more I learn the better. Hope the problem with that MTD ends up being not too involved but hey I guess I will find out on the next video.

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks for the comment and the sub!

[@jbparkerma]

Your videos are fine. Nice detail on the carb (but you skipped over the float tab adjustment, but that's really frosting). I never considered a leaky exhaust valve. makes perfect sense. I'll do a leakdown first. thanks!

[@randomwrenching]

Thanks for the comments. I always look at the float, but don't always think to mention it in the vid.

[@leadnsteel1428]

I have the same tecumseh engine and I noticed blowby carbon fouling the spark plug.... pretty sure the valves are bad

[@shadymaint1]

I tried to remove the plastic tube to clean it out. Ended up smashing the end over and never could get it out. Got on eBay and ordered another carb for $9. We will see how it works when it gets here.

[@randomwrenching]

Ah, the dreaded plastic Techumseh emulsion tube...If they are too stubborn, I leave them in and run it through the ultrasonic cleaner. Usually works out ok for me, but I understand that not everyone has a cleaner like mine. I hope that new carb fixes you up!

[@AD-io4bm]

Hi, by chance would you happen to know the part number for the scraper-blade located at the bottom part of the Auger Housing: it's a long 24" x 2" (approx.) black metal thing with 4 nut & bolts. Thanks!

[@randomwrenching]

Many parts look the same but are a little different. Even on the same model but different year. The best thing to do is use your model number found on the white tag on the machine to find your specific part number.

[@AD-io4bm]

@@randomwrenching That white tag (I know what you mean) is all scratched up and can't make anything of it. The blower is the exact one in this video mastercraft 5hp 24" 1997 (year). If you still had the same blower I could have used the model # to find the part for that scraper blade inside bottom of the auger housing :(

[@randomwrenching]

That machine is long gone, but I will check if I still have the model number recorded somewhere for you.

[@AD-io4bm]

@@randomwrenching Yep, that was a Tecumseh engine (no longer in business since mid 2000's).

[@countryside8122]

I found out on older models with the same problem, ones that at one time used leaded gas would need to have the valves and head cleaned then they would work great again. I would replace the valve seals and clean the valves. But most of those are long gone.

[@randomwrenching]

For sure the leaded gas was easier on valves, but it did build up over time. Thanks for the comment!

[@cornboy3]

Mine had a clean carb, good spark, and good compression but no power. Turns out the flywheel key sheered so the timing was all over the place

[@randomwrenching]

That can happen as well, its just usually much more common on lawnmowers.

[@cornboy3]

@@randomwrenching yeah. That's why I was so surprised. There's a series of shear pins, belts, pulleys, etc in the way that make it nearly impossible.

[@toasteroverdrive1097]

Yeah, mine back fires thru the exhaust and the muffler gets cherry red. Also has no power, don't hear the engine ramp up in rpms. Guess it's time for a little TLC on the valves, just need to order a gasket set.

[@randomwrenching]

At least a teardown and inspect...

[@leadnsteel1428]

Same with mine. I noticed blowby carbon fouling the spark plug so the valves or headgasket is probably gone. Mines a snow Thor 5.5hp

[@toasteroverdrive1097]

Ended up being the intake not closing. The exhaust was no better. I removed .018 as I didn't wanna be in there ever again and the headgasket was hard to find. Now the whole blower lifts up when I pull the rope. Still need to install a fuel drain as this is going to be my backup.

[@randomwrenching]

@@toasteroverdrive1097 Good to hear you found the problem and the fix. Great job!

[@jonathanbormann5077]

Ok, new question. I went through everything on mine, exact machine, and it ran great for a good bit. I'll have to look at the govenor. It has run best for a long time at 1/3 choke. I cleaned out all the orifices in the carb again and it ran better, with no choke, for a few hours. Then it started to sputter and shut off, eventually backfiring. Now it will only idle in full choke and has 0 power. I ha e been doing A LOT with it the past week so maybe just overdue?

[@jonathanbormann5077]

I don't have a compression tester or the abilities to lap my valves

[@randomwrenching]

@@jonathanbormann5077 It sounds to me like there is still something plugged in the carb. If it runs better on choke, then it means its running too lean. Sometimes you just cant get all the tiny passages inside there clean enough, and it requires a new carb. They aren't very expensive...

[@jonathanbormann5077]

@Randomwrenching problem is finding one right now. We just got hit hard and we're stuck. I pulled the carb apart again and found my old welding tip cleaners to use for the orifices. Finished it off with a can of carb cleaner and heard something blow through. It think it was it cause it's running good now. I also found the little float shutoff had fallen out of place so that wasn't doing me any favors...😳

[@randomwrenching]

@@jonathanbormann5077 nice, glad it back in order

[@jonathanbormann5077]

@Randomwrenching there's a small screw with a spring behind the head on the top of the carb. What does it do?

[@danielerenae]

Seems like he should have done the leak down first. He would have had to pay you with it still not working

[@johnhouli3450]

Good information thanks dude. Did you ever repair the blower? Was gifted like you a 22 yr old toro 622 having issues with car it’s a fixed jet 6 hp. Won’t idle it dies. Has power I adjusted the linkage on Auger and drive she is ok now going forward and reverse just have that issue with the carb. I think I will try and remove the plastic emulsion tube. And if I can clean. I do need to buy a new gasket for the bowl.

[@randomwrenching]

I did repair the unit in part 2 of this video on my channel. Yours sounds like a dirty carb issue just as a guess. Idle mixture circuit needs to be clean for sure. A bowl gasket is probably going to be needed if it's an older unit.

[@frankkuntz9616]

I had one of these actually a few....bought one used and it didn't work right..exact same issue...governor spring in the wrong hole.. ramped right up after assembled correctly

[@randomwrenching]

Yep, that can surely happen, and it's a good thing to check for. This machine was perfect after the work was done. Governor in this case was fine.

[@jerrystruke9938]

Wouldn't the compression release be engaged at top dead center on compression stroke so the exhaust valve would be slightly off of the seat?

[@randomwrenching]

I follow your thinking, but the decompression system happens before TDC, not right at TDC.

[@maggysantana3878]

You should use the carburetor cleaner and you will save a lot time..

[@randomwrenching]

My ultrasonic cleaner machine works great.

[@darthmal]

I got a replacement carburetor with hoses and primer pump on ebay for $10.00. Easier to just replace it.

[@mikekot8209]

It's funny that you said "no ridge goes down" and you put it up...

[@randomwrenching]

Yup. I should have said "ridge goes in first". Carb is upside down...lol

[@papabits5721]

Ripe for repower

[@randomwrenching]

We got her fixed up in Part 2! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmaxdWVre5iVkNE

[@jonathanbormann5077]

"The optional bent nail"....😅

[@jimamccracken5783]

Customer has $100.00 budget hum. Mechanic tells him the problem that needs fixed. "Customer says thats too much keep it I will buy a new one" Now I have never seen a NEW snowblower that sells for less than $500.00. his world has some strange people in it for sure.

[@randomwrenching]

Sometimes people just see them as too old to fix. They want new, shiny, with a warranty...lol

[@Robsbrd99]

Customer's funny. They get a hundred bucks to pull and clean a carb here. 🤣

[@randomwrenching]

Wow, that's a little pricey for this area.