Does it cough or sputter when you are trying....?? just trying to tell if the ignition is hot or not?? The old ones i have worked on, the throttle lever at off, killed the spark..... you need , fuel , spark and compression, but at the right time.... i assume you didnt hit anything that brought it to sudden halt??

 

The unit has a plug in electric start, in addition to the pull start. I had been using it for over an hour and then it sputtered and stopped, as if it was out of fuel. It has not started since. The electric start motor turns, tries to get things moving but the engine doesn't turn over. I let it rest for about another 20 minutes and tried again, still nothing. I played with the chock and throttle. I suspect the spark plug, I'll have to see if the cable to it is loose.

 

Have you tried a shot of starting fluid? Or take the plug out and pour a little gas in then try?
Most likely it is a problem in the carb. You ever do anything in the carb?

 

I have not tried starting fluid. I suspect that it is either the spark plug, the carburetor or the key- as it seems to be clearly not sparking even though the start motor is working.

 

In addition to what was already offered.

When you pull the starter recoil does it seem normal or is it harder or easier than normal? Check if something jambed forcing the impellar clutch to engage and not release. Do you have a low oil sensor that cuts the engine out.? Check the oil and top off if needed. Check that the key is fully engaged.

I hope you did not blow the connecting rod.

 

Carb adjustment

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Try to check for spark, to eliminate an ignition problem.
Was the electric starter, turning the engine over before this current problem showed up??

 

Try to check for spark, to eliminate an ignition problem.
Was the electric starter, turning the engine over before this current problem showed up??

"wont turn over" seems to mean different things to different people........some say "wont turn over" if it rolls over but wont start, some say 'wont turn over" if it actually wont roll over at all........

 

Wont turn over means it wont turn over.

Turning over and not starting is a separate scenario.

 

Thats the way i see it too, but there are many threads .....including this thread where “ wont turn over “ refers to the engine turning over but not starting.

 

The term some people use is "won't catch". I think that means that it will turn over, but not keep running.

 

Precision of language is essential to creating an expression that matches the intention of the writer.
"Won't turn over" means the engine is seized. "Won't fire" and "Won't stay running" are lesser evils.

 

Welcome to the Snowblower Forum!
Now the obvious: Did you check the fuel level in the gas tank?
All the steps listed above must be accomplished before anyone can help you further.
Let us know what you find.

 

checked the fuel level, checked the oil, nothing else engaged (like augers, drive). The engine does not start, though the electric starter seems to be doing something- as it's making all the usual noises it would make when I used it to start the blower engine in the past. I play with the choke position, throttle, nothing is working... the next thing I want to try is spraying starter fluid in the carburetor to see if that will help get it started.

 

The dial for fuel delivery is in the closed position.

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Have you checked and confirmed you have spark?
If yes, have you dropped/removed the carb bowl and confirmed you have steady fuel flow to the carb? No gunk or debris in the bowl, float moves freely?
Sprayed carb cleaner in passages and jets, used small wire like twist tie to clean out tiny passages?

 

Took the unit to a local small engine repair place. Turned out it was water in the fuel line, so thankfully a rather cheap repair! Lines were flushed and it starts right up! Thanks for all the advice everyone.