Snowblower Won't Start. Try Gum-Out, Or... ?
 

Hello:

Tried to get my Ariens (quite Old) snowblower working today, to make sure it
runs before
actually needing it.

Wouldn't start.
All that happens is lots of really dirty, somewhat blue, exhaust comes out.
No sounds like it wants to catch.
Oil level is fine.

Replaced the plug; no change.

Was wondering -

Is it (most) likely to be a gummed up carb. ?

If so, should I pour a can (or whatever am't is recommended) of Gum-Out into
the snowblowers gas tank, and
try cranking again ?

Have never used Gum-Out.
Is this the way to use it in this situation?

Any other suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Snowblower Won't Start. Try Gum-Out, Or... ?
 

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
: Hello:
:
: Tried to get my Ariens (quite Old) snowblower working today, to
make sure it
: runs before
: actually needing it.
:
: Wouldn't start.
: All that happens is lots of really dirty, somewhat blue,
exhaust comes out.
: No sounds like it wants to catch.
: Oil level is fine.
:
: Replaced the plug; no change.
:
: Was wondering -
:
: Is it (most) likely to be a gummed up carb. ?
:
: If so, should I pour a can (or whatever am't is recommended) of
Gum-Out into
: the snowblowers gas tank, and
: try cranking again ?
:
: Have never used Gum-Out.
: Is this the way to use it in this situation?
:
: Any other suggestions would be most appreciated.
:
: Thanks,
: Bob
:
:
Seems like blue smoke would indicate it's firing OK. Did you
pour a lot of oil into the spark plug hole last spring, or maybe
tip the thing up and let the oil flood into the cyninder area?
If it's the latter you might just let it set someplace warm
for 24 hrs or so and then try again.
Since it's seemingly trying to start, I'd use a couple puffs
of starter fluid in the carb air intake & see if that'll blow out
the excess oil. Do that OUTDOORS; that stuff is really
explosive. And no, don't squirt it into the spark plug opening.
Just the carb. If it runs for a second or so, then quits, try it
again. Read the directions before using it. Follow them.
This assumes it worked when it was put away and that it was
properly stored and that the blue smoke is from the plug trying
to fire. If you get too much oil buildup on the plug, it won't
fire, period, so try letting it set if you tipped it up where the
plug opening went downward.

HTH,
Pop

Snowblower Won't Start. Try Gum-Out, Or... ?
 

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Tried to get my Ariens (quite Old) snowblower working
today, to make sure it
runs before
actually needing it.

Wouldn't start.
All that happens is lots of really dirty, somewhat blue,
exhaust comes out.
No sounds like it wants to catch.
Oil level is fine.

Was the unit run dry before storage? The blue smoke sounds
like it is firing, but you say "no sounds like it wants to
catch". Is it firing? Blue smoke suggests oil burning. Did
you use 2 stroke fuel? Tip the unit wrong? Squirt oil in for
storage? Have you tried priming it with a little gas in the
carb? Checked that the chole is working correctly?

Bob

Snowblower Won't Start. Try Gum-Out, Or... ?
 

"Bob" wrote in message
...

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Tried to get my Ariens (quite Old) snowblower working
today, to make sure it
runs before
actually needing it.

Wouldn't start.
All that happens is lots of really dirty, somewhat blue,
exhaust comes out.
No sounds like it wants to catch.
Oil level is fine.

Was the unit run dry before storage? The blue smoke sounds
like it is firing, but you say "no sounds like it wants to
catch". Is it firing? Blue smoke suggests oil burning. Did
you use 2 stroke fuel? Tip the unit wrong? Squirt oil in for
storage? Have you tried priming it with a little gas in the
carb? Checked that the chole is working correctly?

Bob

For a prime a squirt of carburetor cleaner into the air intake often gets it
going. Often use it in cold weather for balky engines.

Snowblower Won't Start. Try Gum-Out, Or... ?
 

Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Tried to get my Ariens (quite Old) snowblower working today, to make sure it
runs before
actually needing it.

Wouldn't start.
All that happens is lots of really dirty, somewhat blue, exhaust comes out.
No sounds like it wants to catch.
Oil level is fine.

Replaced the plug; no change.

Was wondering -

Is it (most) likely to be a gummed up carb. ?

If so, should I pour a can (or whatever am't is recommended) of Gum-Out into
the snowblowers gas tank, and
try cranking again ?

Have never used Gum-Out.
Is this the way to use it in this situation?

Any other suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob




Clean the sparkplug. Use some starting fluid (ether) and see if it'll
start.

Try using premium gasoline in it. I don't know why, but premium seems
to work better [than regular] in a slightly gummed up engine until the
carb gets cleaned out a little by the fresh gas.

Bob