Craftsman 8.5 hp Gas Snow Thrower
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Craftsman 8.5 hp Gas Snow Thrower Reviews


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Sears model 536.881851 8.5 horsepower blower stalls after running for 10 minutesjimbo

posted on February 09, 2010 at 04:24PM Inappropriate? Quote Reply

My Sears 8.5 horsepower snow thrower stalls after running for about 10 minutes.  It will restart immediately but run for only about 8 minutes before stalling again.  This happens not only under load but also idling.  Any suggestions?

replies: 29 latest post: February 12, 2011 at 01:52PM by buydenverRE
Displaying posts 1 - 20 of 29 in total
posted on February 09, 2010 at 04:27PM
 
In response to jimbo1946's post from February 09 2010 04:24PM

If the gas cap is too tight or frozen with snow then a vaccuum is created in the gas tank and the engine stalls. Try loosening the gas cap.

posted on February 09, 2010 at 04:34PM
 

How does  gas work at low temperature? Does it change the proformance of the engine? Should gas be kept in a warmer place for storing?

posted on February 09, 2010 at 04:49PM
 
In response to SearsisGr8's post from February 09 2010 04:34PM

The best place to store your snowthrower's gas can is in Phoenix :)

No, cold gasoline will work fine but its a good idea to check for ice inside an "empty" gas can before refilling it.

posted on February 11, 2010 at 03:35PM
 
In response to madgolfer's post from February 09 2010 04:49PM

Thanks Madgolfer, no ice in gas can

 

 

posted on February 11, 2010 at 03:38PM
 
In response to madgolfer's post from February 09 2010 04:27PM

I don't believe the gas cap is vented. However I took the cap off when the engine was coughing and it still stalled.

posted on February 11, 2010 at 04:55PM
 
In response to jimbo1946's post from February 11 2010 03:38PM

The gas cap is vented somehow, either a pinhole on top or a baffle around the threads. Is your oil milky at all, or overfull?

posted on February 17, 2010 at 09:16AM
 
In response to madgolfer's post from February 11 2010 04:55PM

The oil is not milky and it looks like there is a baffle around the gas cap.

 

Thanks

posted on February 17, 2010 at 04:17PM
 
In response to jimbo1946's post from February 17 2010 09:16AM

I'm baffled too. Have you replaced the sparkplug since it was new?

posted on February 17, 2010 at 05:11PM
 

is your gas tank clean, no rust inside? i have seen where rust gets into the needle and seet of your carb and will slow the fuel so the engine runs out of gas then when it sits it will fill the float bowl and will run til it runs out of gas again.

posted on February 20, 2010 at 05:03PM
 
In response to fixall's post from February 17 2010 05:11PM

Interesting theory but the tank is plastic.

 

Thanks for idea

posted on February 20, 2010 at 05:06PM
 
In response to madgolfer's post from February 17 2010 04:17PM

Hello Madgolfer,

 

Thanks for the reply.  I just replaced it today and it still runs the same.

 

 

posted on March 01, 2010 at 07:14PM
 

change the needle/seat and adjust the float hade the same problem coat about 15 buck

posted on March 01, 2010 at 07:19PM
 

Change the needle/seat in carb and adjust the float. Had the same problem straving for fuel. Cost about 15 bucks and the time to pull and change. briggs part #398188 kit. Let me know how it goes

Donald

posted on March 02, 2010 at 09:12AM
 
In response to guard4702's post from March 01 2010 07:19PM

Thanks Donald

 

Regards, Jim

posted on March 03, 2010 at 10:53AM
 

I had the same problem. After disassembly the engine after the warrantee period expired and Sears was of no help I found that the second piston ring was seized in the ring land of the piston and was scouting the engine bore generating enough heat that the piston would seize to the wall after the engine had stopped as the high heat generated was not dissipated. After initially breaking the bond free, the engine would start again until the next use. The cycle kept repeating until there was a grove in the bore that would not allow full piston travel, even after the piston was freed. This scouring of the piston wall caused excessive blow by which created oil leakage.

Good luck,
Big Ed

posted on March 04, 2010 at 03:18PM
 
In response to bigedsnh's post from March 03 2010 10:53AM

Thanks Big ED,  I haven't solved the problem yet but I hope its not the one you described.  I"m hoping for something simple!

 

Jim

posted on December 26, 2010 at 06:44PM
 

Hi Jim, I have the exact same snow thrower and started experiencing the problem last winter but was able to get by. I changed the oil and plug this summer and really hoped it would solve the problem but after the first snow storm (today) it started to act up again about half way through the clearing of my driveway. Did you ever figure out what the problem was?

-Ed

posted on January 03, 2011 at 11:25AM
 

Well don't go crazy I HAD the same problem. After stalling the problem solved itself by self destructing in flames under the snow hood....Not too happy right now and be carefull...

posted on January 12, 2011 at 09:05AM
 

I had the same problem as did many others...just google it. Sears replaced the Magneto and everything is fine in that department. NOW, After one successful use I now have to figure out why my auger has siezed up stalls the engine everytime I try to engage it to throw snow. It could be as simple as a bad belt or the something worse like a damaged differiential/gearbox.  I've had with this product.

posted on January 12, 2011 at 12:06PM
 
In response to dgs711's post from January 12 2011 09:05AM

Hi dqs711, see if you can turn the impeller with a broomstick or... something besides your hand. If the impeller turns the augers slowly, then the gearbox is intact. Could be a belt but sounds more like something wrapped around the inpeller shaft. Good luck.

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Craftsman 8.5 hp Gas Snow Thrower discussions

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