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Old 04-09-2021, 08:02 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Unhappy Snagged a free snowblower: Ran when parked. Not eco.




A friend gave me this. "Ran when parked" (N years ago).

Maybe this is a bad thread for EcoModder: the fact is it's only going to increase my fuel consumption.

Thing is: I look after my folks' driveway and my own.



Truth is: I actually like shovelling - it's good exercise.

But once or maybe twice a year we get a dump of snow that's slightly more exercise than I want. Yet I've managed to get this far in life without a snowblower. Though I'm lucky that sometimes a neighbour with a blower clears the end of the driveway on those rare days.

Anyway, it's got:
  • flat tires
  • a squirrel-chewed plastic fuel tank
  • I have no idea how old it is
  • it wouldn't start when I sprayed quick start in the intake. (UPDATE: it started!)
A little project for sure.

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
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Old 04-09-2021, 09:36 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Good find. You're definitely going to need it.
I'm in new mexico and I might need one.
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Old 04-10-2021, 03:12 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Check for spark. Or convert it to electric, if you just happen to have a big enough battery that you can use elsewhere the rest of the year.
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Old 04-10-2021, 09:29 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Fun little project. They're pretty simple and easy to work on.
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Old 04-10-2021, 10:46 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4 View Post
Good find. You're definitely going to need it.
Well, I've managed to live life with just shovels so far, so "need" is maybe a bit strong.

I'm probably more excited about making it work again than actually using it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stubby79 View Post
Check for spark.
CHECK. We have spark!

Quote:
Or convert it to electric, if you just happen to have a big enough battery that you can use elsewhere the rest of the year.
Honestly, I'd be fine with an extension cord. But I don't have a ~50A circuit handy.
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Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
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Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 04-10-2021, 10:52 AM   #6 (permalink)
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It's aliiiiiiive!

Today I learned what a load governor butterfly valve is, and what happens if it's stuck closed. WD-40 to the rescue!

So I got it to cough to life on starting spray, but it won't run on gas.



I added a bit of gas to the tank, and now it's dripping out of the carb. Stuck float or needle valve or...

I employed my stuck-float-&-needle-valve-adjustment hammer, but that didn't work.

Can I just duct tape a can of starter spray to the carb and jam the nozzle open? Seems reasonable. Wonder how many DPAC's it'd get... (driveways per aerosol cans)
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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Old 04-10-2021, 12:30 PM   #7 (permalink)
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A lot of these small engines get flakes of varnish coming off in the carb float when ethanol tainted gas sits in them over winter. Clogs everything up and you basically need a new carb. Say no to ethanol in small engines. My neighbor has a small engine repair shop and he said that's 90% of his work now and he praises the lords of corn subsidies.

For something you expect to only use a couple times a year, how about a lead-sled electric conversion and a battery tender?
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Old 04-10-2021, 12:51 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Like a recent thread here

Bad fuel economy over short distances
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Old 04-10-2021, 01:55 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Has spark but quick-start wouldn't make it fire up? Odd. Intake full of nuts?
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Old 04-10-2021, 02:40 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Correction: it WILL run on quick start. But not on fresh gas from the tank.

I'm into the carb now...

Samwichse: correct, LOTS of flaking varnish in the float bowl.

Your neighbour's corn fuel comment made me chuckle. My small engines are anti-vegan: no corn fuel! Dead dinosaurs only.

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
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