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I had a thread going about 3 weeks ago about my 2 year old Craftsman 88999. I thought the problem was fixed, but apparently not. Today, as I was clearing about 9in. of snow off my driveway, the engine quit. It did this once before 3 weeks ago. I thought it had something to do with the exhaust and air intake, but that couldn't possibly be the issue today.
When the engine quit, I tried to use the electric start immediately, but I couldn't get it started. So I then went through the machine thoroughly. I added a little oil, just b/c it looked to be a little low and I cleaned the spark plug with some sand paper. It has never been changed and was certainly black. This whole process took about 30 minutes. I pulled the cord and the machine started right up and was clearing 3ft drifts easily.
About an hour later I stopped the machine to add some gas. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it started again with the pull cord. It was only stopped about 5 minutes. I had to use the electric start to get the engine going. This time the electric start worked. It ran like a champ afterward and was again clearing 3 ft. drifts with no problems.
I want to say the problem is simply the spark plug, it was black and a little wet. Not sure how it got wet, but there were some droplets on it. However, I can't help but think there is something else going on because when the engine was allowed to sit for 30 minutes, it started right up again. However, when it sat for only 5 minutes that one time (although another time it sat for only a few minutes the electric start didn't work), I had to use the electric start.
Thanks.
When the engine quit, I tried to use the electric start immediately, but I couldn't get it started. So I then went through the machine thoroughly. I added a little oil, just b/c it looked to be a little low and I cleaned the spark plug with some sand paper. It has never been changed and was certainly black. This whole process took about 30 minutes. I pulled the cord and the machine started right up and was clearing 3ft drifts easily.
About an hour later I stopped the machine to add some gas. Unfortunately, I couldn't get it started again with the pull cord. It was only stopped about 5 minutes. I had to use the electric start to get the engine going. This time the electric start worked. It ran like a champ afterward and was again clearing 3 ft. drifts with no problems.
I want to say the problem is simply the spark plug, it was black and a little wet. Not sure how it got wet, but there were some droplets on it. However, I can't help but think there is something else going on because when the engine was allowed to sit for 30 minutes, it started right up again. However, when it sat for only 5 minutes that one time (although another time it sat for only a few minutes the electric start didn't work), I had to use the electric start.
Thanks.