I purchased a Craftsman 247.888740 late in January 2016. I used it once in February 2016 (it ran perfectly) and shortly thereafter prepped it for off season storage exactly according to the instructions in the operators manual (thoroughly burned out all fuel, etc.). This past Tuesday I went out to use it for the first time this winter, added fresh gas and checked oil, etc, and it wouldn't start. It didn't seem to be getting fuel. I did change and properly gap the new plug. I then pumped the primer about ten times and continued pumping when I pushed the electric start. It then started, with some difficulty, but began running almost normal. After running for 5-10 minutes, I tried to gradually move the choke from full choke to regular running position. It would start to quit with the smallest movement away from full choke.
After doing some research here on the Forum, I purchased a couple bottles of Mechanic in a Bottle. I added a couple ounces to the small amount of fresh gas remaining in the tank and ran the blower until it quit. After about 20 minutes of running I could move the choke just slightly off full choke and it would still run. Any further movement and it would quit, appearing to be starving for gas. I then added a full bottle of Mechanic in a Bottle to the empty tank, primed the fluid into the carb and let it sit for five hours. I then started and ran the blower for about 20 minutes but still cannot move the choke more than slightly off full choke or it will stall.
he blower is still under warranty and I have an appointment for Sears Home Services to come out this Wednesday. However, I expect they will tell me I did something wrong on the off season prep and not cover this as a warranty repair. it appears if they decide in their sole discretion that the repair isn't covered by the warranty, you must pay them $99 for coming out to your house anyway. I'd like to avoid that scenario.
I would appreciate additional ideas on how I can get this running properly again? Will it damage the blower if I just use it at the full choke setting all the time?
Thanks.
After doing some research here on the Forum, I purchased a couple bottles of Mechanic in a Bottle. I added a couple ounces to the small amount of fresh gas remaining in the tank and ran the blower until it quit. After about 20 minutes of running I could move the choke just slightly off full choke and it would still run. Any further movement and it would quit, appearing to be starving for gas. I then added a full bottle of Mechanic in a Bottle to the empty tank, primed the fluid into the carb and let it sit for five hours. I then started and ran the blower for about 20 minutes but still cannot move the choke more than slightly off full choke or it will stall.
he blower is still under warranty and I have an appointment for Sears Home Services to come out this Wednesday. However, I expect they will tell me I did something wrong on the off season prep and not cover this as a warranty repair. it appears if they decide in their sole discretion that the repair isn't covered by the warranty, you must pay them $99 for coming out to your house anyway. I'd like to avoid that scenario.
I would appreciate additional ideas on how I can get this running properly again? Will it damage the blower if I just use it at the full choke setting all the time?
Thanks.