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View Full Version : Tecumseh 5.5hp snowblower won't stay running


gregoryda
Feb 7, 2010, 09:17 PM
Sat. I used the snowblower again after cleaning the carb. Ran fine for about 30mins. Refilled it, back out and it quit. Tried to start it, no dice. Reprimed, ran for a few sec. and quit. Ok, I'm thinking no gas getting to the carb again... another dirt clog? No, I found if I loosened the gas cap and then tightened it back up, reprimed it started and ran for about 2 minutes. then the same thing over and over again. Without loosening/tightening the gas cap it won't keep running. Any ideas? This is really getting old fast.

KISS
Feb 7, 2010, 10:05 PM
There is a tiny hole in the gas cap to vent the tank. It's plugged.

gregoryda
Feb 8, 2010, 05:45 AM
Thanks, I looked at the cap on Sat. but didn't see a vent hole, it must be tiny. I'll look again tonight.

crigby
Feb 8, 2010, 09:05 AM
Hi,
Many newer caps vent around the threads. Just loosening the cap would tell you if it is at fault. Your time frame points directly to ignition. Caps are a 5 minute item, other fuel problems are generally under 20 minutes, and the ignition owns the area in excess of 20 minutes.
Peace,
Clarke

gregoryda
Feb 8, 2010, 06:27 PM
Hi,
Many newer caps vent around the threads. Just loosening the cap would tell you if it is at fault. Your time frame points directly to ignition. Caps are a 5 minute item, other fuel problems are generally under 20 minutes, and the ignition owns the area in excess of 20 minutes.
Peace,
Clarke

I don't think it's electrical, as when it acted up, it happened every few minutes. Thanks for the info. On the newer gas cap. I'm assuming that is what I have, it's the "red" one. No apparent vent hole. There is a center section that sticks down with a slit along the side. It looks like something white at the very top of this center section like cotton. I blew it out but there is no vent hole that I can find. Seems like a crappy design! Could snow be building up around the base of the cap blowing the air draw? I'll try not tightening it down as much, if that doesn't work, I'll replace it.

gregoryda
Feb 9, 2010, 04:46 PM
I will be buying a new gas cap, it happened again today starting, I loosened the cap and it ran fine afterwards. Thanks guys for pointing me in the right direction.