Last Friday, we got 12in snow. My snowblower was running rough. Coughing, back firing. I had to use more choke than usual, but I finished what I needed to. Thinking the issue was a dirty carb, I put some seafoam in the gas, primed it and let it sit overnight. I went through my normal startup routine. A few pulls and it started. I went to adjust the choke to running, and it stalled. Not the usual behavior. I couldn't get it to start, even with the electric starter. I took it to the power shop on Monday. They said they were 2 weeks behind. Oh well. I went and got my dad's snowblower to have one in case it was needed. When I got home with it, I got a call. Mine was ready. Off I go to get it. $85 was the total. <$100? No way. They removed the carb and cleaned it. I had asked them to check the 2 belts. I figured they would replace them. Nope. Just an adjustment. They are also a Husqvarna dealer. For anyone in the area, they are on rt122 in Blackstone MA. I'd recommend them! Toni's State Line Power Products Prior to the snowblower, I had only bought a chain saw chain, and had some others sharpened. Now, I get to return my dad's. Tomorrow
Great to read of good experiences. I'm lucky in that I can work on my own stuff but if the need arises, I really don't have a trusted place to go. If ya ever have anything minor again, this guy https://www.youtube.com/user/donyboy73/videos has a lot of very useful info for the shadetree mechanic.
I had a reason to go to the power shop today. Picking up my dad's snowblower. No lack of equipment there
Try and use non ethanol fuel if you can. It will save you some problems down the road. If your equipment like snow blowers and lawnmowers too are left for a long period of time with ethanol fuel, then this is what happens. The ethanol will attract water/ moisture. It will collect in the float bowl and when it does for long enough it will then start to corrode the inside of the carburetor. It does not take much to start plugging up small orifices in the carb. That is why in some cases you just take the carb off clean it really well and you are back in buisness.
My dad's snowblower had a flat, not holding pressure. The wheel was rusted to the axle, so I took the whole thing to the same power shop. While they had it, they said it was "surging" and suggested a carb cleaning. Go for it. This was a couple weeks ago, and they were swamped and had a guy out sick. I went back to pick it up before a snowstorm, and all they had time to do was to use a Flat-fix product. I went to use the blower and the tire had again gone flat. I wrestled with it to clear the snow I needed to. I took it back again. They had time to put a tube in the wheel and clean the carb. After 24hrs, I'm happy to say the tire is holding pressure and it started with one pull. When I took it back, I asked about paperwork and I was pulling out my CC. He told me we were all set. No charges. They lost points with the flat not fixed, but won them back in the end. I have a gifted Husqvarna 350. I think I'll get it to them to go through. I know it's in need of a carburetor rebuild.
Funny how In the repair business there isn’t time to do it right the first time but there is the seccond…
