My Toro 524 is loosing power and keeps overheating, may have seized up

[HCBPH]

Originally Posted by jbkidsx5

I will see what kind of books our Library has on small engine repair, might even take a class - this trial and error stuff is getting expensive.

This could be your best alternative. If you can take something like an adult ed class on small engine repair you could have a virtually new engine for your machine. Additionally you'd have some additional knowledge on what's going on inside it. Whether you do or don't take a class, this year there are alot of machines out there for sale cheap due to the obvious 'no snow' sales all over the place. The longer you wait, the better the prices should get. I've picked up a 5 HP machine for $25 this year plus a 10 HP for $50, plus a few more. They needed some work but for the price I couldn't complain.

You might snag a machine with a replacementment engine for a good price, or who knows - maybe a better machine for bottom feeder pricing. Basically you have at least 3 options available to you, now it's just figuing out what you want to do.

I think there's little chance most of us will have a need for a blower any time soon so it should work out fine for you. Good luck and let us know how you do.

[jbkidsx5]

Thanks again for all the advice. I have to admit though, I am not sure what I am going to do. Thank God for the mild winter, it will give me a chance to decide what I am going to do. Whether I take a class, read a book, or buy a new engine for harbor freight - I am going to tear down the seized up engine just to learn something from it. Thanks again guys.

[jbkidsx5]

All right guys, not sure what the heck is going on with this thing but today I went out and tried to turn the engine one more time and it freed up. I can turn it using the crankshaft but something does not feel right, feels like something is rubbing as you turn it. Any suggestions now?

[td5771]

the 2 types of metals, aluminum piston and steel cylinder cooled down and shrank freeing up the engine.. you have an oil problem

same problem with a 5 hp ariens i had. it was too low on oil.

pull the plug, look down into the plug hole. you will see the intake and exhaust valves. turn the motor to try to get both valves in the down position.


looking in the hole the piston is off to the side. pour some oil in (you want it in the cylinder not on top of the valves) and let is sit a few minutes. then rotate engine as far as it will go or all the way around and back the other way. do this for a while

there is some internal piston/cylinder damage but it may free up and run ok, mine did.

when completely oiled up pull the rope for a while to blow out excess oil, then a new plug gapped right, ensure oil level is right and new( some may leak down making it too high) and when it starts let it run at an idle or low throttle. if you have to start it at high throttle fine but back it off as soon as you can. check float level in carb to ensure gas isnt thinning out your oil.

[td5771]

if you want to save the engine completely without doubt. take it apart and have the cylinder honed and buy a new piston and ring. a good run of the mill small engine manual for your brand will show you how. a honing tool to do the cylinder yourself is cheap enough too.

[jbkidsx5]

Thanks, I will give that a try. I just got back from the library with some manuals and books on small engine repair. If it was not for all you guys I would have scrapped this thing a long time ago.

[CarlB]

These are very simple engines to take apart and figure what is wrong.

I would not try to start this engine. I would pull the head look for scouring on the cylinder and pull the front cover and remove the rod cap and inspect the crank and the rod end for damage. If you see no damage there then pull the piston and check to see if the rings are stuck. before you pull the rod cap try to move it up and down and side to side to check for play.

[HCBPH]

I don't know if this will help or not. First off check out Youtube, Donnyboy(something) has a number of videos on snowblower engines. Take a look and see if any are of help to you and yours.

I also have a couple of threads on Restorationmen forum that might be of some value to you. One is just generally going through a used 7 hp Tecumseh and the other is part of a snowblower rebuild that has a 5 hp Tecumseh. Doesn't go through everything but it does show alot of general info and might be of some use in what to expect. Here's the two most applicable:

Evaluating a used engine
Auger Housing Repair/Rebuild (just a couple of general engine shots in this one)

They don't cover rebuilds etc, but general repairs and validating the engine was usable. Good luck and let us know what you find.

[Shryp]

Originally Posted by HCBPH

I don't know if this will help or not. First off check out Youtube, Donnyboy(something) has a number of videos on snowblower engines. Take a look and see if any are of help to you and yours.

donyboy73's Channel - YouTube

[jbkidsx5]

Thanks again guys, I will give all of these things a try.