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View Full Version : Snow blower with low hours will not start


jacamp
Jan 10, 2011, 01:53 PM
I have a craftsman 4 hp,
21 inch 4 cycle snow blower
With a briggs and stratton engine
Model number 536 88140
Date made: 9/20/06.
Currently, it does not start up.
Honestly I don't think it even gets spark
I hit it with either a few times and nothing
It is a manual pull start blower
Last one for me! Next time electric start!
The spark plug was dirty so it was replaced
I prime it with 3 pumps and nothing.
Originally, after the plug was replaced it worked fine,
Until I shut it off to refill with gas.
I did not let it run too low and suck in any dirt in the bottom of the tank
I changed the spark plug again and started up and worked fine
I even pulled the plug and shot either inside the cylinder
What is the problem
It is going to snow in 2 days and I would love to have it running by then...
Is the coil bad or the on/off switch is defective?

DG
Jan 10, 2011, 02:58 PM
i have a craftsman 4 hp,
21 inch 4 cycle snow blower
with a briggs and stratton engine
model number 536 88140
date made: 9/20/06.
currently, it does not start up.
honestly i dont think it even gets spark
i hit it with either a few times and nothing
it is a manual pull start blower
last one for me! next time electric start!!
the spark plug was dirty so it was replaced
i prime it with 3 pumps and nothing.
originally, after the plug was replaced it worked fine,
until i shut it off to refill with gas.
i did not let it run too low and suck in any dirt in the bottom of the tank
i changed the spark plug again and started up and worked fine
i even pulled the plug and shot either inside the cylinder
what is the problem
it is going to snow in 2 days and i would love to have it running by then.....
is the coil bad or the on/off switch is defective?

You said the you changed the plug again and it started and worked fine then you shot either in it,
If it started and worked fine why did you put anything in it ?
Please explain.

jacamp
Jan 10, 2011, 06:07 PM
I shot either into it only after it would not start again with the new plug in when it would not start at this point,I removed the plug and pulled it multiple times removing any fumes or gas from the cylinder. I cleaned the plug with a rag again and reinstalled plug. Still does not start.. I am stumped

jacamp
Feb 12, 2011, 03:41 AM
Hey dg,
When I wrote the original question I did not reread and edit the note
Before posting it
Below is what I originally wrote:
"originally, after the plug was replaced it worked fine,
until i shut it off to refill with gas.
i did not let it run too low and suck in any dirt in the bottom of the tank
i changed the spark plug again and started up and worked fine
i even pulled the plug and shot either inside the cylinder"
What I meant to write was when the blower was running,
The fuel appeared to be somewhat low
Not low enough to suck in dirt and or water.
I shut the blower down and topped off the fuel in the tank.
When I went to restart the blower,
I did not prime the carb, it always fired up right away.
At this time, I pulled it and did not fire up. I did this procedure a few times more
Then I felt at this time, the carb bowl was dry and that I should prime it a couple of pumps
Doing so I attempted to restart the blower... nothing.
I removed the new plug and cleaned off whatever was on plug - gas, dirt etc
Reinstalled the plug and gently pulled it a few times to test fire it
Nothing
I then primed it and tried to fire it up nothing
I did this procedure a few more time
It was at this time when I hit it with either by the carb
Nothing
I then cleaned the plug off again and sprayed a shot of either into the cylinder to ensure that it would fired right up
Nothing
This is why I think it is some sort of electrical issue
What do you think the issue is
A side note to this:
I have spoken to other folks who have snow blowers from sears with the same if not very similar type of blowers and are all in the same position
They don't work
How ironic...
I guess sears had a bad batch of blowers sent to ny lol

DG
Feb 12, 2011, 06:56 PM
Sounds like a bad key switch , or possible coil went bad,
Check and see if you have spark at the spark plug
Luck