Craftsman MTD Snowblower Won't Start - Tecumseh Engine part 1

Showing you how to troubleshoot and repair and snowblower that won't start.
This snowblower belongs to a neighbor. It hasn't run for two years. I'll show you how to diagnose and get it running again.
Product links --
Starting Fluid - amzn.to/35tVgvg
Carburetor Cleaner - amzn.to/3q5VdgZ
Brake Cleaner 😅 - amzn.to/3hZJbmp
New Aftermarket Carburetor - amzn.to/3skLkhs
New Primer Bulb & Hose - amzn.to/3hYAfh0

[@ricknelson0819]

As soon as I saw the part about the primer tube being dry rotted I knew that must be my problem. 10 minutes later my snowblower started. I am one VERY happy person and grateful for this guy's video. Thank you much!!

[@TractorHoarders]

Glad it helped Rick! Thanks for sharing your success!

[@123pwop]

I Cannot Thank You Enough.................. Followed your steps, and for once... SUCCESS !!!!! I don`t have much Luck with me and Machines. So Again Heartfelt Thanks ! Philip.

[@TractorHoarders]

That's amazing! So glad it worked for you too! That's for sharing your success!

[@johnzima9505]

I am 70 and a poor emigrant but Your video is fine and adjustable. Thank you, sir!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you, I wish you good luck!

[@jerrymorris4739]

Thank you for your video. My Ariens ( I think 12 hp Tecumseh) wouldn't start. I followed your advice. I removed the carb bowl, sprayed the jet that holds the bowl and cleared the small holes, and sprayed as much else as I could. I had added Sea Foam to the fuel. It started right up but ran a little rough for maybe 5 to 10 minutes. It was hunting and racing up in rpms and down. After a bit, it smoothed out and ran great. I really appreciate your help. I think my cleaning got it started and the Sea Foam that cleaned out the rest. Like you, at first it would only run with some choke. After a bit, it was fine. Many thanks. Happy New Year.

[@TractorHoarders]

That’s great, Jerry! Glad to hear it worked for you too! I like making videos like this and hearing how it helps others and saves them money.

[@jackmorgan9829]

Thanks for the video! This got my snow blower up and running again! 👊🏼

[@TractorHoarders]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your success!

[@ConcsiouslyCreating]

We followed the video and the snowblower works great! Thanks!!

[@TractorHoarders]

Yes!! Awesome! I’m glad it helped.

[@1943Grandpa]

I bought an almost new one cheap, and it sat for two years. Pulled the plug, gave it a little squirt of starting fluid. Quickly put the plug back in. Started up immediately. Works on everything I have that sits for a year. I put a little carb cleaner in the tank, and it soon runs smooth. I do this to a really SPIRIT snow blower, and it is edging toward 20 years of use. Works on my lawn mowers, too!

[@TractorHoarders]

A quick and easy fix is always nice!

[@gasttheplast]

Thank you for confirming what I thought was wrong with my snowblower

[@tonyiacono6409]

thank you! tomorrow's snow is off the worry list.

[@TractorHoarders]

Excellent, I’m glad to hear that!!

[@VinhNguyen-vb3cd]

Your amazing. It help me for my mtd snowblower….. your the best

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you so much, and I am glad that you got your snow blower working again! Thanks for sharing your success. Good job!

[@bobwild4773]

Just stumbled on your video. Followed your instructions with great success. THANK YOU!!

[@TractorHoarders]

Excellent, I am happy to hear that it worked for you too! Thanks for sharing your success!

[@preshitamalhotra1267]

Bought this for my small back deck in the Eastern Sierra. kzbin.infoUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN We get A LOT of HEAVY snow so I was a bit skeptical but it was worth it! After the first storm of the year this has exceeded expectations! It throws snow very well, even 10-12” + that said the more it piles up the harder it is to maneuver the machine. It is exceptionally light weight and overall exactly what I was looking for. If you have a large amount of snow and a lot of area to clear, you may consider something with a drive engine to help maneuverability, but for decks, second stories, roofs etc, you can’t beat the light weight to great snow throwing ratio. Side note, the chute rotator is a bit flimsy and it initially didn’t seem to work, after a few uses it seems to have loosened up.

[@TractorHoarders]

They are pretty good!

[@patthesoundguy]

Brake clean is actually better for what you are doing because carb cleaner will swell the rubber seat in the carb and that could cause it to fail where brake clean won't affect the rubber parts. Also you can leave the cover in place and simply flip the machine up on to the front auger housing and you get full access to the float bowl. You also missed the small orifice on the side of the main jet at the top of the threads. That is likley part of the issue. Use a set of torch tip cleaners to fully clear the main jet. Plulling the carb wont make it any better. You also can pull the idle jet from the side of the carb under the small plastic cap and clean it as well, it's probably also clogged Again it can de done with the covers on.

[@TractorHoarders]

This is good advice. Thank you for a constructive and detailed informational comment. I may try your way in part 2 tomorrow. (Not yet filmed at this time)

[@thedillestpickle]

You can save your torch tip cleaners for your torch. Take a vice grip and lock on to a single wire from a wire brush. Pull it out and you have a perfect, small, carbon steel wire.

[@boonnosaphangthong1786]

thank you this helped me and dad so much

[@TractorHoarders]

That's amazing to hear. I'm glad that it helped you out, and hopefully you've got yours running again! Thanks for the comment.

[@valorie1559]

I made it less then 3 minutes into this video and found the issue. I was helping my grandfather fix it cause it wouldnt start, found this video and followed along to take off the cover when I realized my grandfather didnt have the key in it..... A short hunt through the house later it, plugged the key in qnd it worked after 3 years of sitting....... God damn it

[@TractorHoarders]

Haha, hey that happens! Glad you figured it out though! A missing key is a best case problem to have!

[@rameshpersaud7131]

TK U,my problem is one broken shear pin not budging and ONE shear pin not budging to come out, other 2spins came out with difficulty but ok now i grease IT up, hoping you can help,i may have to drill

[@TractorHoarders]

When that happens to me, I drill them out. You probably have to go that path. Good luck!

[@jasongustafson8196]

Same thing here ran ok changed spark plug and oil 2 years ago ran real fast. It had been 20 years since I changed the plug. Year after would not start I'm in year two now not running. I changed plug again, changed out the carburetor, gas line, primer line. Still will not start. New gas also premium. I used a spark checker its showing spark. Sometimes it will pop like it wants to start but wont. Maybe compression I am not sure. Also is there a fuel filter on these older units?

[@TractorHoarders]

Sometimes there is a fuel filter, sometimes not. The problem is almost always a clogged carburetor. I work on 10 or more of these per year and it’s always the same problem, usually caused by old gas being left in it. In a year, I may fix 50 small engines and I rarely replace spark plugs. I only came across one that was actually bad in the last year. This first video shows cleaning the main jet. If this didn’t work for you, I’d recommend checking out the second video where I clean the idle passage. I also have a playlist of other Snow Blower Repairs. Good luck!

[@Mansplaination]

Great video. Just what I needed. Thanks buddy!!

[@TractorHoarders]

Hope it works for you too!!

[@supersoup5509]

Very good help. Thx

[@cyyoung9175]

Great video! What if someone has let oil run dry and engine won't start can I add oil and electric start? Plus of course they all the tips on this video. Just don't want it to blow up with electric start on possibly frozen engine. Please help😘

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi! If the oil has been run dry and the engine was run like that, irreversible damage might have been done. But, it does not hurt to add oil and try and start it. If the engine is frozen, the electric start will fail. Give it a try!

[@cyyoung9175]

Thanks for replying so soon. Will give it a try, If its toast , any chance of ordering a new or rebuilt engine and bolting it on? Maybe topic for your next video !

[@TractorHoarders]

@@cyyoung9175 absolutely, you could swap the engine if needed. If you’re on Facebook, keep an eye out for snow blowers on Marketplace. Many times it’s more cost effective to get another used snow blower rather than swapping the engine.

[@cyyoung9175]

Howdy friend! Well,oil was barely wet on dip stick, added oil tried electric starter which activated but wouldn't turn her. Like you said worth a try.😄 Pull cord pulls about a foot then hits full stop. Have you ever tried pulling spark plug and adding some Marvel mystery oil or wd40 in hole? Still hoping for a miracle!😇

[@marysullivan3326]

excellent vid.....thanks!!!!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you! I hope it helped you get yours running too!

[@marysullivan3326]

@@TractorHoarders it did!!! blower starts up immediately now!!! nothing like a good cleaning to get things working!! thanks again....northern indiana got 14 inches recently so this vid really helped

[@mikezieg80]

Where did u spray the start fluid? Into the muffler?

[@TractorHoarders]

No, I sprayed it into the air intake of the carburetor. Look for the choke plate in the carburetor. That’s where to spray.

[@theduelist5706]

Is it me or are those Tecumseh engines finigy? I had my pull string break, fixed that and wouldn't start. Drained the bowl, sprayed it all over and it started. Briggs Stratton seem no fuss.

[@PainterD54]

Don't use starter fluid on an engine unless it's your last straw. It washes the oil off the cylinder walls and take many years of life out of the engine. There's a primer bulb and small rubber line going to the carburetor that's there (or should be there) to shoot a little gas into the throat of the carb to help start it when it's cold. Those two little holes in the metal shroud are there for two screws that hold the shroud to the carb, and probably vibrated out and were never replaced. If you would add some Seafoam to the gas and run it thru the carb before you shut it down in the spring, you wouldn't be watching these kinds of videos anymore. Your engine will start right up during the first snowfall!

[@coveyking]

what 2 stroke oil you using brother?

[@TractorHoarders]

I get whatever I can find. The brand doesn’t matter to me.

[@Blaisexwhoop]

You only cleaned the carburetor correct?

[@TractorHoarders]

Yes

[@puffythecampfireplayer6143]

Sweet! I have brake cleaner. I can tackle this.

[@TractorHoarders]

You can absolutely do it! Pretty easy fix!

[@puffythecampfireplayer6143]

Haha thanks for the video and the encouragement. I have a same brand, similar engine but mine doesn’t seem to have a fuel on/off switch. Also, the fuel won’t stop pouring out of the bowl…

[@louish.9414]

Looks need new gas maybe oil. Most folks don't Treat their gas during off season.

[@agonquin]

if people would learn how to turn off their snow blower properly will prevent all this work. My snow blower working for over 20 years with simple oil changes and do one step when turning it off

[@TheMattYouCantWalkOn]

I wish I had neighbor's that don't know what the problem is on their machines. Probably make more money with less effort spent on tracking down mowers and blowers!

[@TractorHoarders]

Yes for sure! Staying within a 2 mile radius of my house (95% of the time) is a huge benefit that maximizes profit.

[@tomoprime217]

Nevermind I figured it out.

[@TractorHoarders]

excellent

[@victoriadisability9648]

Friction plate

[@louish.9414]

Drip pan save your driveway and environment..

[@Likwidfox]

All you have to do is start typing "Craftsma....snowblower won't start" lol bad sign.

[@TractorHoarders]

Haha!!