123cc cold startup question

[ueberooo]

I'm trying to chose between a gas snow blower or an electric one. The gas powered models seem that large and probably heavy that I don't really want to haul it up a flight of stairs around a tight corner (about 5 steps) into the storage inside, but I'd rather lock it up outside.

Would this make it pretty hard to start up in say 20s or 10s (deg F) temperatures?

These are 4 cycle 123 cc engines with hand crank startup.

home depot link

 

[pidster]

I keep my 9.x HP Briggs powered Craftsman in a shed away from the house, just as cold as outdoor temps and it always pull starts 1st or 2nd time. Synthetic oil and top notch maintenance on it though I might add.

 

[ueberooo]

Hi thanks Pidster that's great to hear. And I'm guessing it's pretty cold across the lake over there in Ontario.

 

[boraticus]

Personally, I don't like to leave machines outside in the elements. If it's a must do situation, I'd buy a large plastic storage box and modify it to fit over the piece of machinery or a tarp to cover it. You want to keep rain and snow from getting into the fuel tank and engine/mechanical area.

As far as cold weather starts go, you won't have any problems if the engine has 0W30, 5W30 or 10W30 oil in it. A little 125cc engine is easy to to pull start provided fuel isn't contaminated and everything else is in working order. Just make sure you clean it off well after use and keep it covered.

 

[ueberooo]

Yup, a tarp was what I was thinking to cover it.

 

[yeehaw1960]

If it's a Chinese engine, you won't have to haul it in and out. It won't run right after a few uses and you'll be ready to throw it off a cliff. If it doesn't say Briggs, Tecumseh, Kohler or another name brand, it's junk right off the showroom floor.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: pidster
I keep my 9.x HP Briggs powered Craftsman in a shed away from the house, just as cold as outdoor temps and it always pull starts 1st or 2nd time. Synthetic oil and top notch maintenance on it though I might add.


Same for me. Stored outside in my shed and my snowblower starts on 1st pull 99% of the time.

 

[JTK]

If it's up off the ground and covered it should be fine. Clean dry storage is key. It doesn't need anything excessive like a temperature controlled environment. Sounds like you need a storage shed of some sort my my man. What do you do with your lawnmower?

Joel

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960
If it's a Chinese engine, you won't have to haul it in and out. It won't run right after a few uses and you'll be ready to throw it off a cliff. If it doesn't say Briggs, Tecumseh, Kohler or another name brand, it's junk right off the showroom floor.


Beg to differ with you there.

Some Chinese engines (Lifan, Kipor, Champion, LCT) are getting excellent reviews. I'm sure there are plenty that are not in the same class and may be problematic, but the brands listed above seem to be very good. I own a Chinese built Mitsubishi engine on a pressure washer and a Champion generator. Both engines have been excellent.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: boraticus

Beg to differ with you there.

Some Chinese engines (Lifan, Kipor, Champion, LCT) are getting excellent reviews..


I too have had good luck, but for a snowblower application I have no experience. I have read of an issue or five in that regard. Many of the clueless have no idea what they are buying other than the pretty paint scheme and no idea how to properly maintain it. I have to presume a new Chinese OHV snowblower engine won't be as resilient to bad fuel and poor storage as an Tecumseh Snow King was. Me personally, I would take a Chonda over a flat-head Snow King ANY day.

Joel

 

[yeehaw1960]

Congratulations to anyone having good luck with a Chinese engine. I see many, many of them throughout the year on mowers and snowblowers. When the bolts don't break off when I'm removing parts, I feel lucky. When they run after a routine cleaning, I'm estatic. They just aren't very good engines overall. If even 50 out of 100 run well and give good service, that's terrible odds. I hear and see horror stories that would make me shy away from them in any case. Anyone who would pick a Chinese engine over a Snow King has a Snow King that needs servicing.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960
...If even 50 out of 100 run well and give good service, that's terrible odds.


Like I said, I have zero experience with these engines on snowblowers and lawnmowers. Only generators, pumps and kid ride-on toys.

I'm sure there's many an OPE Mechanic like yourself that would agree that they are junk, but given those numbers, MTD and others would be out of business by now with the volumes they sell. These things have been mainstream for probably 5yrs.

Joel

 

[boraticus]

I owned two 10 h.p. Tecumseh Snow King engines. They started easy, were stone axe reliable and never consumed oil. They certainly weren't Swiss watches by any means but they got the job done.

If I have a choice between a Tecumseh and a Chonda of equal performance and reliability, I'd go for the Chonda too. They're just that much smoother and quieter.

And, let's not forget. Tecumseh is out of business.

 

[kcfx4]

Techumse out of business? im unsure, ive seen their engines on troybuilt tillers as of late, w/o a sticker/badge

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: kcfx4
Techumse out of business? im unsure, ive seen their engines on troybuilt tillers as of late, w/o a sticker/badge


Yes. Sadly so. Happened around 2008 if I recall correctly. Unless there was a resurrection that I'm not aware of.

There were some rumors floating around that a third party was to assume responsibility for parts provision. Not sure if that ever materialized.

The absence of Tecumseh has opened the door to the Chinese. That's probably why we're seeing a proliferation of brands such as Powermore, Lifan and LCT on snow throwers, generators and lawn mowers these days.

 

[JTK]

C'mon kc! I thought you were the Scag, Toro, etc dealer salesman expert? (kidding!) Tecumseh has been SOL for almost 3yrs now. Anything with a Tecumseh engine is new old stock.

Joel

 

[kcfx4]

I have seen TECH's on many things tb tillers in particular rebadged, briggs has lost alot of ground as they bought simplicity and snapper, wich has once again opened the door to what you called "chondas" but im opomistic to them yet. I will agree the tech snoking engine had it sewd up in cooold land! i bought my son a mini bibe w a "chonda" motor for $200, i couldnt build one for that, it says 2.8 hp, yet pulls me around much btr than a 3hp brgs did in my youth

 

[kcfx4]

Originally Posted By: JTK
C'mon kc! I thought you were the Scag, Toro, etc dealer salesman expert? (kidding!) Tecumseh has been SOL for almost 3yrs now. Anything with a Tecumseh engine is new old stock.

Joel

LOL Joel, have you noted the TB tillers. wo a bagde on the engine? TECH, but youre prossibly rigt w old stock, i havent been in the game since 06, i have all jd w kaw fleet so i dont have to worrie! wink