While we whittle away the winter with various projects I figured I'd post a non marine carb question.

I inherited a low hours, ~25 year old Airens snow blower with 5HP Tecumseh (I know, its a rod thrower engine) that is leaking gas from a needle valve under what I believe is the carb bowl.
If I turn the valve tight (it still leaks) the engine wont start, loosen a little and it runs and if I gently turn it out more the rpm kicks up and the idle levels out, it then sounds good/normal. The problem is now under a load the exhaust is shooting sparks and flames at random ( too rich?). Also had a backfire. The machine was able to clear the drive with no problem but I need to find some type of gasket material for that needle valve and figure out how to adjust that carb.

I'm assuming there is another needle or 2 on the carb somewhere but I have not yet taken the shroud off the machine.

Short of buying a real engine does anyone have an tips, ideas, troubleshooting procedures?


Thanks,
Karl

Sounds like, in this case, the carb is running too lean. (Backfiring is caused by a lack of gas, not flooding.) I suspect the carb needs a thorough cleaning. Perhaps it was not put a way correctly, with a gas stabilizer run through it? Winter-time motors that sit all summer need stabilizer far more than summer-time motors that sit all winter, for the deterioration of stored gas is worse in hot weather.

Jeff

GB 49 wrote : that is leaking gas from a needle valve under what I believe is the carb bowl.

GB 49,
I had the same problem with same eng. but not that quite as old, at the start of the frozen tundra season. What solved my problem was to unscrew that bowl sprayed some carb cleaner in bowl while holding in the little drain plunger to s clean seal. Than filled bowl with some carb cleaner replaced bowl than pulled the starter cord a few times vroom worked for me been blowing that White Crap ever since this season ( U know U R not suppose to use that 4 letter word that starts with S on this site) Hey U East Coasty & Southern States BM Capts. Had enough of that White Crap Yet !!!

Good info Peter

Norm,

Big s Live On

Being of frozen tundra decent myself, when winterizing my thrower, I wait until late spring (starting to mow lawn) to run it dry and only with seafoam in its gas supply, after she burps her last I put her away and start it in the early fall (before grass mowing is done) Mine starts first pull every time. (Is there any wood to knock on?) it has electric start but haven't needed it yet JAM


Karl,
That’s what killing R old machines & keep us happy & alive the ethanol / alcohol in R fuel is eating up our O-ring, gaskets etc. But Moon & hard cider is good to warm our spirits. G/B our politicians for making moon legal once again just thunking about the feds busting a still I can hear it now why man I aint making booze desh here’s is fuel for my hot rod Lincoln. Mr Ness must being rolling over in his grave, good 4 that dar tea tottler

Norm,

Big s Live On

As long as U don't use ethanal laced fuel in the Ole Girl