Snowblower Conks Out At Idle & Surges - Let's Fix It!

[@donyboy73]

🔻WATCH NEXT🔻 Here's my video on how to do this on a TECUMSEH Engine here; ➡kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIu6oYGkjc9-d6c

[@famasmaster2000]

Good clean simple fix for sure, thanks Don 👍

[@maxjones6615]

Nice video! I got a set of the micro drill bits and used on a lawnmower with the Briggs plastic carburetor to enlarge the main jet. It had a surge that wouldn’t go away by cleaning. Works great after enlarging the jet.

[@100vg]

Always great tips and procedures, Don. You're the man.

[@tooljunkie6003]

Great video, very informative. Thanks Don

[@markdevine929]

Great tip and repair as always . Thanks Dony

[@lv2keepfit493]

You should do a video on some of your favorite and most reliable 2 stage snow blowers. You did it... thank you Don!

[@Oxcart19-s8r]

Excellent instruction. Thank you for showing EVERYTHING! Very helpful for those of us with no training in engine maintenance. Also, my engine was surging and all I did was switch to ethanol-free fuel and that solved the problem. I'm glad it was simple and I didn't have to try anything more than that!

[@mikespain8655]

Using non ethanol fuel does not magic clean the jets in the carburetor.

[@Biokemist-o3k]

Really great video however that plastic just will not last. The vintage machines are the way to go..Thank you Dony...that was extremely informative....-John

[@KITTER298]

Further I absolutely can't stand the plastic shrouds on the new china engines.

[@WJCTechyman]

@@KITTER298 I can, looking at an old 10.5 hp Tecumseh and comparing it to my 420cc beast PowerMore engine: The noise reduction. Besides, we've been using plastic on cars for years now and it holds up better than steel, especially during Winter and you live in a town with the largest operating salt mine on the planet where they use copious amounts of salt on the roads. Also, it's not like the engine has a lot of impacts, most of that happens in the auger housing. It's not just Chinese engines, Briggs engines made in the USA use a lot of plastic too. I think the only snow blower engine that doesn't use as much plastic is Honda.

[@Justa_Real]

⁠@@WJCTechymanplastic = cheap. Have you worked on plastic parts at -30F? Honda uses less plastic as they stand behind their product. As far as the old Tecumseh 10hp goes, I will take it any day and use earplugs. Also, Briggs and Stratton engine parts are mostly cast in China and assembled in Ole USA.

[@Justa_Real]

Just looking at that plastic gas jet gave me shivers. Not to mention plastic covers and servicing it at -30F.

[@harrygrimley4352]

As always great tips. You make it look simple. Thank you

[@joeandrews8842]

Awesome vid. You have helped so many people, Don. Thanks very much

[@AgraraMats]

Great help again! I also would like to thank you for speaking in a way that makes it easy to follow from Swedish follower.

[@donyboy73]

Greetings from Canada

[@drkwlsk]

Excellent footage, thanks for teaching me this one!!

[@bobdoyon4275]

Thanks Don. I fought the same issue with my 25 year old mtd snow blower that came with an adjustable jet carb but had replaced it with a fixed jet carb many years ago due to issues with the original one. It never ran great with it and tried again this year to replace it with another fixed jet carb from Amazon. It actually surged worse with the new carb. It took some searching but found an adjustable carb for it and that allowed me to tune it so it runs perfectly. I’m in Ohio and we don’t regular receive a lot of snow but this year we have. Glad I got it running well just before the storms hit. Thanks again for the very helpful videos.

[@donyboy73]

Here's my video on how to do this on a TECUMSEH Engine here; ➡kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIu6oYGkjc9-d6c

[@TimMcMaster-b5y]

Great video as always. I just started my machine for the first time this year and it is doing exactly what you covered in the video. I'll take care of that this afternoon.

[@rooster3019]

Here in USA we call that holder for the micro bits or even some larger small bits a "pin vice"

[@mnlew7156]

👍👍 what you demonstrated is my plan B... Plan A is usually Seafoam or a cap full of a good fuel system cleaner with fresh gas...

[@philliphall5198]

I use B12 first 😊

[@37yearsofanythingisenough39]

Seafoam makes a cleaner for just such situations. It’s called Top Engine Cleaner. You can identify it easily on the store shelf because it has a straw with a bend in it. Follow the directions on the can. Works for me 90% of the time.

[@frankvucolo6249]

Why have I never thought to clean the idle circuit while the carb is still on the engine? Great tip! Thanks Don!

[@glenharper3136]

Thanks for the video Donny.

[@charleseddy9903]

Thanks Don, What a joy to learn from you. God bless.

[@jonmyers8046]

I hate when they bury the carb like that. I did the same operations on one of mine last winter. Great video Don

[@devonlee4309]

So many people have these style engines now. Thank so much for helping all of us maintain them! How would you install a fuel valve that would be visible on this type?

[@harryguinan4834]

Great video, you make it look so easier. I have a 24 in Craftsman, looks very similar. Where can I buy a new carburetor?

[@BearE9090]

Simple fix. Thanks

[@joebidendidthat5121]

That’s plastic piece that the pilot or low speed jet. Surging is often caused by that jet being clogged or partially clogged. You fix solves that problem also. Excellent video!

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting Dony

[@ecttreker9816]

Great tips Don 👍👍

[@rk22cc]

Thanks Donny

[@Mechanicturfgear]

Also make sure the bowl goes back on the same way so the float will float properly . Some of them can be fussy. The drill bits are great too

[@paulmysliborski4832]

That was an awesome how-to, Don! Thank you!!

[@tomjonas7384]

I’m working on one right now. I hope it turns out the same way yours does sometimes they’re just bad carburetors.

[@Wilksfarm]

Good repair! I learned to do this with Honda carbs, similar carbs on most new snowblowers now.

[@EzRay11]

Damn, I’m sitting here thinking about how many times I’ve removed and replaced a carb just to get at these two jets. I will add that it’s often the covers that are the biggest pain in the ass! Cheers Don

[@rameshpersaud7131]

TK U Don for your kindness, keep up the good work,I haven't gotten out one broken pin and one whole pin as yet very hard to come out

[@pyrog.c.c89]

Thanks

[@EnthusiasticTruck-xh7ss]

I did the same thing with my father-in-law snowblower he got a free snowblower that was sitting around all gummed up after I was done fixing it it was running like a top he was so happy thank you for the video

[@RayofallTrades]

Well done Sir!

[@DanObrienGaming-m1i]

Awesome video buddy

[@larryb982]

All that cheap plastic. Smh. Great job on the tutorial. Cheers.

[@brianmcconnell7988]

another great video Don ! 👍

[@markmurtha7422]

Thank you very much for this video. Very helpful!

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@Millstone_Firewood]

Good tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@mr1pearl]

Like night and day , sounds like new 👍

[@jonsuits965]

Great video! Thanks Dony!

[@mikehrdlicka8635]

The lo speed jet is ported to emulsion tube. Enlarged hole will allow more fuel?

[@jimyeske8498]

Once I get the bowl off, I feel it’s best to remove the main jet and the emulsion tube then clean the orifices on both. I also replace the fuel on any repair project.

[@stephen2028]

I have this exact machine. Mine surged right out of the box. Micro drill bit set from Princess Auto for $11 and did this exact fix.Runs perfectly. I read somewhere that a lot of these carbs come from the factory surging. Most common cause is lack of cleaning after the casting process.Micro grains of sand clog the jets.

[@RobertWorthington-u2s]

Another great video Don. Don't forget to tell people to put the engine at TDC on the compression stoke anytime you tip an engine (doesn't apply in this case, just a best practice). Loved your video a few weeks back about sheer pins on auger snowblowers. Saw many people using grade 5 bolts as a quick substitute here in Alberta. Gearboxes are EXPENSIVE!!

[@defan2105]

long winded question from a guy learning so I hope I get the terms correct... You cleaned the "main jet" then the "pilot jet" but is there not a "main nozzle" behind the main jet and doesn't it need to be cleaned if running poorly? Would cleaning your main jet just push the crud into the main nozzle or could you at least blast it with carb cleaner or could that hurt the rubber on the needle valve or float bowl gasket? When up on end can you remove the main jet and nozzle and clean them outside the carburetor or too hard to remove them? thank you! I appreciate you sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[@bakakallu411]

what is the size of the micro drill bit ?

[@donvoll2580]

G day Don Good video Boy saw wood stove behind, with all that snow around UR building should be nicely insulated; Thanks

[@donyboy73]

It's very comfortable!

[@dnrsmallenginerepair]

awesome my friend your ledgend

[@jdkrxw]

Very well explained ... good job! ... BUT: I thought you'd have one of those "D" head screwdrivers for the idle screw .😁 I bought a set of these 'jet screwdrivers' because of one of your previous videos😊

[@BarryPettit-t7k]

Good tip! Don, keep the videos coming.

[@bobmcl2406]

Very good video. I think I might have a carb like that on my Craftsman blower with a Briggs 1350. I'll check tomorrow (too dark and frickin' cold tonight, here near Ottawa). I bought a hand drill with micro bits after watching a video on Steve's Small Engine Saloon. In his case, he was opening up the main jet on the square plastic Briggs carb. But now I'm ready for your fix too. Cheers!

[@Krispy1011]

Good video - your camera work really was excellent and Toro snow blowers are really bad - they stall all the time and do not have enough power - I know several people that have Toro snow blowers including myself and we all have issues with them - I'm going to try this out when I get a chance cuz its a real pain when the snow blower conks out at the end of my 250 foot driveway every time I use it!

[@raymondcampbell2346]

Thanks Don. Thats surely better way to do those OHV carbs instead of removing the carb when is not all gunked up.

[@brucemitchell5637]

Great tip, Donny!

[@BenNawrath]

Super helpful video! I think that's basically the same machine as my Cub Cadet. I'm going to try that tomorrow.

[@robcole332]

Great video Sir.

[@tomgaffy9434]

Good Morning Doctor Donny, I have an old troybilt Squall 2100 (2008) snowblower that wouldn't start. I clean the carb and other parts and now it starts great but surges. There is some type of spring used for the governor that doesn't look like a regular one. Can the governor cause surging if wrong spring is used? thanks

[@Mtechthewise]

Any fuel cleaners worth using to prevent this issue?

[@donyboy73]

It's best to not leave old gas in it

[@kyleswainston3032]

I do not like those dang plastic choke knobs on the plastic tip on the choke rod. Many time the plastic tip will break off inside the choke knob or the plastic tip on the other end of the rod on the carburetor choke lever. Any suggestions?

[@rickp3374]

gonna try this soon. would shooting carb cleaner up the emulsion tube there get the same result?

[@donyboy73]

It can but with the torch tip cleaner you can actually enlarge the hole a bit so it gets more fuel

[@samkaplitz9036]

No

[@kevins5259]

I have a 1990’s era troybilt snow blower, great shape. I think it has a tecumseh engine. Is it the same process for this model? Great video Don. Keep em’ coming. Thanks.

[@herberttv4349]

Don what is the name of that tool to enlarge the hole?

[@donyboy73]

Micro drill bits or torch tip cleaner. You can buy on Amazon

[@herberttv4349]

thank you

[@brianbanks3044]

Don, what is the other trick on a snowblower carb where a tiny vent hole on the outside of the carb gets cleaned out with a tip cleaner or bread tie and stops the surging

[@daveliedholm2296]

What is ethanol good for exactly?

[@philliphall5198]

Destroying the fuel system on small engines 😢😢😢

[@effenfish661]

my troybilt had this same problem when i bought it new. thanks to youtube channels like donny's, i knew how to remove the bowl and the emulsion tube. i found a piece of plastic wrapped around the emulsion tube, debris that must have come from the factory. i put it back together and it has run well ever since. local gas stations carry non-ethanol fuel for boaters, and that is what i use in all of my small engines.

[@Tommyr]

My Craftsman is the same, Honda style carb. Cover is a big PITA to remove. It was easier working on my old Craftsman with the Tecumseh Carb.

[@Matthew_Does_To_Many_Things]

I was about to buy that same model of troybilt for $450 on super Black Friday hidden deal at the Midwest Menards. I have an old 5hp Tecumseh that’s underpowered and worn out and the MTD 22 inch 179cc compact 2 stage that has the one speed plastic transmission but we don’t really get the snow here in Northern IL anymore.

[@mea56]

I have seen some online videos where people cut the idle jet off and put the plastic back in. What is your opinion of that for a fix?

[@donyboy73]

I've tried that but I found the engines ran smoother by doing what I did in video.

[@ToyotaPete]

👍

[@HypocriticYT]

It’s too cold to snow where I am 😂

[@Kevinthomaswatson]

If the machine was working previously at some point with the air jet not enlarged ,what is causing the problem with the air flow ?

[@Jenna-zv6ve2sx4u]

i have a cub cadet 528swe snowblower, it runs fine the problem i have is that the choke knob keeps falling down to full choke and i have to keep putting the choke up until it falls down again with the vibration of the snowblower. any thoughts?

[@gadasavideos8564]

I would expect a surge at idle still since you only fixed high speed, not the idle circuit. So you did go there but the other idle passages might be clogged? Maybe spray carb cleaner into where you removed idle jet?

[@nickluzzi8767]

Nice job . new blower and it needs that much work . plastic plastic plastic.

[@kencurtis228]

You should all take the tube out & clean it

[@craigboone2845]

0.013 inches= 0.33 mm is a #81 drill bit. Buy a micro drill bit set with this bit.

[@aris95]

Thanks for the european measures

[@robertmailhos8159]

Great idea to clean the carburetor while it's still on on engine instead of having to remove it

[@phildelgiudice3448]

GREAT video. Thanks. I give you guys sooo much credit working with these awful design engineered puzzles. Quit small engine repair and go work for Briggs. Build engines made to be maintained. 😂

[@sergey8644]

I have a similar snowblower with the same issue. I want to install a fuel valve between the fuel tank and the carburetor, but I don't see how to do it. All those plastic covers would make it difficult to install a fuel valve. Does anyone have some advice on where to locate the fuel valve on this style snowblower?

[@philliphall5198]

I was thinking fresh fuel first, because they use the left over fuel from summer that’s 4/6 months old by now 😢😢😢

[@rayjrdibenedetto867]

Good morning. Will this work on my Ariens 8526? I have to look at my generator also-its a Porter Cable 5250 i haven’t had time to look at it but i know it didn’t or would run on choke is all if I remember? Wondering if you have any suggestions and or a video that might help? Thank you allways! Have a good day

[@philliphall5198]

Running fresh fuel and B12 or seafoam might clean it up Worth a try 😊

[@rayjrdibenedetto867]

@ Hi. Thank you. Fuel is not that old and has stabilizer in it and ethanol free also.

[@dannyg402012]

I have these problems and cleaning the carb fixes it or on some carbs that have diaphragm, replacing the Diaphragm solves the problem I'm confused though now....... Cleaning the Emulsion tube that would allow more fuel if it was clogged didn't work so drilling the plastic jet lets in more air and fixes the problem. Confusing since "Surging" for me is always caused by a dirty or clogged fuel passage. Drilling the plastic air jet to me would make it run even leaner and surge more since you're adding more air.

[@johnmilner7603]

Water in the gas will also surge. If you have guitar strings, you can also use them since you have 6 sizes. I can’t believe how much plastic is on the new machines compared to my 8-26 that I bought from Canadian Tire in 1985. 😂

[@colehara]

👍 🇨🇦

[@henerker]

See how easy it is to perform the repair yourself and save money? Dony shows us again! We can do it!

[@99bablefish]

I don't know what micro drill bits you use but the set I purchased from Amazon was extremely brittle. One broke just measuring it with calipers. Unfortunately another bit broke off inside the jet rendering it useless. It was cheaper to buy a replacement adjustable carb than get a replacement jet here in Canada. If you don't already have the drill bits, it is probably about the same cost to buy an adjustable carb and install something you can set correctly. (this was on a Tecumseh engine from your previous video)

[@jimbrewer2893]

I have found that about 90% of the time, a clogged primary jet causes surging.

[@joejuska5390]

Excellent thanks future fellow USA citizen 😝

[@bobbyabbott3035]

You should have removed the carb and did a complete disassemble. the emulsion needs to be removed and cleaned also. just my opinion.

[@GertrudeFilthbasket]

Plastic screws. You gotta be kidding me. All my machines are from the 90's. Kept 'em running since, so no need to upgrade. Are you telling me I've got plastic screws to look forward to, when I inevitably replace them? Ugh.

[@James-dt7ky]

Plastics parts and ethanol fuel......not good. :(

[@WJCTechyman]

Saving you time, aggravation and money, similar to another KZbinr, but I would say who cares. That's why you are doing these videos and you have been doing them longer than most other mechanics on this platform. That being said, sometimes the carburetor has to come off for a full cleaning or a soaking in an ultrasonic cleaner. This applies to most snow blowers as most are using an overhead valve engine similar to that of Honda GX series but there are some exceptions, especially looking in the Briggs and Stratton direction that use either Nikki or Walbro carburetors. I like these PowerMore engines, they're are pretty reliable and powerful and getting up to Honda in that regard as well. Some don't like them but I never had problems with these as much as I have with Briggs. Tecumseh is another decent engine, they are rough and loud but they tend to have better reliability than some of the Briggs I ran. Some models also have a purge valve in the carburetor if water pools in the bottom. It's too bad we didn't get as many of the Tecumseh OHV engines but what can you do? I have one in my shed from a single stage snow thrower that runs like a top. I have been slowly converting it to have its own fuel tank and throttle control so I can use it on another project as well as had the shaft machined with a keyway for a pulley.

[@donyboy73]

I prefer these Powermore engines over briggs any day!

[@jamesyee4143]

Great tips, thanks for sharing 😊😊

[@kennithmorella2693]

Thank you Dony. Very well explained and definitely a time saver. Have a great day, sir and stay safe and healthy from Buffalo, New York. 🦬 EARNED YOURSELF A NEW SUBSCRIBER

[@indepentinvestigator]

Awesome as usual sir. Thanks for sharing!