Snowblower engine - WTF happened???

[KLF]

Was doing a bunch of winterizing yesterday, leaf blower, string trimmer, chain saw, etc. Figured it was time to also get the snowblower prepped. This is an Ariens ST824, 8 hp Tecumseh Snow King engine w/electric start. Very common model. Fiance bought it new in '88, I have no history with it, although she says it has always started and worked great. It's always been in a garage all it's life.

Drained all the old yucky oil out, new load of Castrol 5W-30 just like the book says. New plug. Fresh gas in the tank. Hit the starter button, it coughed a bit but with some finessing the choke it fired right up. Ran fine for about 3 mins. Suddenly it started to sputter, and the carb started to smoke. I figured it was just heating up and baking off the dirt from being in storage. Sputtered a few times, then a few sparks came out the exhaust. Hmmm... that doesn't seem right. Then it abrubtly stopped dead. Not a "ran out of gas" kind of stop, a "something bad just happened" kind of stop, with a loud clank.

Engine is now totally siezed. Starter just buzzes loudly, and can't budge it with the pull start.

Oil was right at the Full mark on the dipstick. Everything else looks fine. The gas is only a month old, if that, and had Stabil in it.

WTF did I do wrong? I'm draining the oil back out now, it looks perfectly clean, no silver. I'm gonna pull it off and tear it apart. But I may be looking for a new engine.

Crap.

 

[D'Animal]

Pull the head off first.

 

[D'Animal]

Tecumseh went out of business but has a large inventory of engines and parts.


Small Engine Warehouse - Repower Outdoor Power Equipment or northern tools is your best bet on a replacement engine.

 

[KLF]

Thanks, I was hoping you would respond. Any idea what went wrong? Never had this happen before.

Not sure I wanna invest in another engine from a company that is kaput. Can I use something else? Briggs? Honda?

 

[D'Animal]

The tecumseh Snow King engine is the ones most manufacturers use since they have perfected the starting and running in cold weather.

You can put a Honda on there if you want. Look for a new comparible model Ariens with Honda and see what engine they are using and then order that engine for yours.

 

[KLF]

Update: pulled the engine apart today. Con rod was welded to the crank. NO IDEA how this happened, I was very careful with the oil level, type, etc.

Now searching for a new short block.

 

[bsevans]

Update: pulled the engine apart today. Con rod was welded to the crank. NO IDEA how this happened, I was very careful with the oil level, type, etc.

Now searching for a new short block.

Try doing a search on the engine model. I found a number available for my Ariens. I don't belive that Tecumseh has gone out of business. They were aquired by Platinum Equity. You can get more info at the following website.

Tecumseh Power

 

[D'Animal]

Make sure the belts are not holding the motor.

 

[KLF]

Try doing a search on the engine model. I found a number available for my Ariens. I don't belive that Tecumseh has gone out of business. They were aquired by Platinum Equity. You can get more info at the following website.

Tecumseh Power

I'm not finding anything useful on that site, other than basic maintenance stuff. I'm not finding a replacement shortblock anywhere, despite calling several vendors. A few told me that Tecumseh is closing down. Weird.

I'm gonna have to rebuild this thing. Crap.

Make sure the belts are not holding the motor.

Huh??? Belts are off, motor is out, torn apart.

 

[D'Animal]

You tried these folks?

Small Engine Warehouse - Repower Outdoor Power Equipment

What are your engine numbers?

 

[KLF]

You tried these folks?

Yup. Nice people, but they could only sell me an entire new replacment engine, over $600 delivered. The machine isn't worth that.

What are your engine numbers?

Engine is HM80-155316N, S/N 8168R. Good luck.

I talked to an old-school guy today in a local repair shop. He told me how to salvage the crank, so I'm gonna order a new con rod, some rings, and a gasket kit, give it a shot.

 

[D'Animal]

Measure your crankshaft.

Could be the $349 complete engine here. You could use this entire engine as a short bolck. Just make sure the holes are drill for the starter. Everything should swap over. The bolt pattern for the base is the same. If you crankshaft is the same then just switch over your heat box on your carburetor, etc.

tecumseh hm80 from Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[KLF]

I'll think about it, but it seems silly to pay for all those parts that I'm gonna take off and toss. That's the frugal Yankee in me coming out...

 

[D'Animal]

So you will:

I'll think about it, but it seems silly to pay for all those parts that I'm gonna take off and toss. That's the frugal Yankee in me coming out...

A. Spend $600

B. Throw away a Snow blower


I will call a shop in Iowa in the morning and see what a short block will cost.

 

[KLF]

You forgot:

C: Salvage the crank, spend less than $100 for a con rod, rings, and a gasket set, put it back together and run it.

(greatly appreciate the help, BTW)

 

[D'Animal]

Is it rebuildable?

If so, go for it.


I will still get you a price on a short block.

 

[KLF]

I would prefer to just buy a shortblock, actually. But in the meantime I'm gonna spend some time tomorrow with a mic and a bore gauge, see how how much it has worn in 20 years. The bore looks perfect, still see the cross-hatching. No seal grooves on the crank.

 

[KLF]

Update II: Spent some time with the crank today, I can't salvage it. There's too much grooving in the con rod journal, and it mic's out 2 thou under spec. So, I ordered a new crank, con rod, and a gasket set. The piston and rings are still perfect, as is the block and all bearings. Total should be about $150, still a lot less than a new entire engine, and about $120 less than a new shortblock from Tecumseh.

Note to self: never buy another piece of equipment with a Tecumseh engine on it.

 

[D'Animal]

Complete Replacement Engine is part #909301C list is $545.94

Short Block Plrice is part #756317C list $277.26

 

[bsevans]

Update II: Spent some time with the crank today, I can't salvage it. There's too much grooving in the con rod journal, and it mic's out 2 thou under spec. So, I ordered a new crank, con rod, and a gasket set. The piston and rings are still perfect, as is the block and all bearings. Total should be about $150, still a lot less than a new entire engine, and about $120 less than a new shortblock from Tecumseh.

Note to self: never buy another piece of equipment with a Tecumseh engine on it.

So you're bad mouthing a 20 year old Tecumseh engine that based on the condition of the oil was not maintained properly. I do not know about the snow king engine but the Tecumseh engine in my Areins has an oil pump and unlike most small engines that only rely of splash lubrication the Tecumseh engine also pumps oil. If the oil was as bad as you say then I don't think you should be blaming the engine for the failure issues you have. I bought my Ariens because it had a Tecumseh engine and not a B&S.