Jeff Taylor wrote:
I have a two year old Sears Craftsman (Murray) snow blower with a 7.5 HP
Briggs and Stratton OHV engine. The instructions tell you how to remove
the "snow hood," which is fairly obvious, and what the spark gap should
be. However it doesn't give any hints for actually getting at the spark
plug.

The spark plug is at an angle underneath the snow hood, behind the
carburetor. The rubber wire boot has a rubber extension to pull off.
I've pulled it as hard as a I dare (it stretches as you pull), but I
can't get it off. Unfortunately you just can't get your hands in there
because the spark plug isn't directly under the snow hood access and the
carburetor is in the way.

Does anyone have any advice for removing the rubber boot on these
engines?

I think you just need to dare more, ie pull harder, while rotating it
slightly, if possible. It's normal for these to sometimes stretch,
but every one I've seen eventually pops off. If you have to, you can
use pliers, but grab it as high up as possible, as you risk cracking
the insulator. But, worse case, you're gonna put a new plug in
anyhow.




Another question, the engine seems to run better with one click of
choke. The unit has had so little use (it's only used for at most 45
minutes for a snow storm, and we only have had so many of those) that
I'm surprised by that, usually needing choke is caused by junk build-up
in the carb. Since it is a snow blower, there is no air filter and I
always use STA-BIL in my gasoline. I'm not looking forward to getting
at the carburetor.

Thanks!

Not sure exactly what "seems to run better" means. If I had a choice
between it running a little rough with the choke off, I'd take that
over leaving the choke partly closed, which is likely going to lead to
fouling. If it runs worse than a little rough, then something is
wrong, and if some gumout doesn't solve it, then I'd take it in for
service.

I have a 10 year old Craftsman 5HP and haven't done anything to it
other than change the oil. I run mine dry at the end of each season,
which I think is preferable for a snowblower, which has a very long sit
and wait period.