Ariens Techumseh breaks a connecting rod again

[Kestas]

I have a 1971 4HP Ariens snowthrower bought used. A few years ago it broke a conn rod and punched through the block. I repowered it with another used Tecumseh engine, and yesterday that engine also broke a conn rod. Is this a common problem with these engines? This time I'll probably fix the engine since it didn't poke a hole in the crankcase.

My particular engine is a hard-to-find discontinued engine with twin counterrotating shafts. I'll probably kick the snowthrower to the curb once I find a decent replacement.

 

[Ramblejam]

Are you using SAE 30?

 

[Donald]

How wide a snow blower? 4 HP does not sound like a lot of HP for a snow blower. I think the snowblower is under powered and the engine cannot handle the demands put on it.

I would give up on that snowblower and get a more recent one on CL, just not a MTD.

 

[R80RS]

Check Cujet's post in the thread below for a comment on the tendency of Tecumseh engines throwing rods.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...an_#Post3237784

 

[Warstud]

Not long after I changed the oil in my Tecumseh, it threw a rod. Not sure if it was from the PP 5W30 I put in it but I ended up repairing the hole it left in the block and it's fine now.

 

[Kestas]

THere were hundreds of connecting rod failures from using the recommended 5w30 oil? This is scandalous!

I used regular 5w30 as recommended by the manufacturer. I believe the operating width is somewhere around 20". It looks similar to this unit:

 

[jeepman3071]

Those Ariens are heavy duty machines. It might be worth it to repower with a bigger engine. They are built much better than the newer flimsy MTD machines.

It sounds like the engine is under powered for the job. My friend has the same snowblower as the picture and it has a 7hp engine on it.

How is the oil level? If the oil is not at the "Full" mark they can blow rods.

 

[AandPDan]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
How is the oil level? If the oil is not at the "Full" mark they can blow rods.


They really do need to be full, not close, but full.

The HM80/100 for example holds 26 ounces. Compare that to a B&S 190000 (8HP horizontal shaft) that holds 44 ounces.

 

[Donald]

Unless you need a narrow snowblower for some reason I would get a used one that is 24" to 28" which is the home owner norm.

Put it on CL saying "needs work, but probably something simple".

 

[Donald]

You can have my old Montgomery Wards 28" w/7HP for $125. It may need a new muffler but thats it.

 

[BigCahuna]

I wonder if he's over revving the motor to try and get more power out of it, and it's blowing the rod out in protest.,,

 

[eljefino]

If you don't mind losing reverse you can convert to a single shaft, including, shudder, chonda. If you up to around a 6.5 hp you can put a bigger pulley on it and fling snow like never before.

 

[dave123]

This is why when people say they don't build them like they use to I'm the first to say I'm glad.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
If you don't mind losing reverse you can convert to a single shaft, including, shudder, chonda. If you up to around a 6.5 hp you can put a bigger pulley on it and fling snow like never before.


I think that would be my choice. Just not chonda

 

[nitehawk55]

I would repower it , the 4HP design is too week when you are putting too much strain on it and unfortunately the conn rod is the weak link that takes that when you really put it under load .
Those chonda engines work fine , lots of new blowers using them .

 

[dave123]

I can't belive this many people would stick money in a 40+ year old POS.

 

[nitehawk55]

Originally Posted By: dave123
I can't belive this many people would stick money in a 40+ year old POS.


Age doesn't matter , it's the condition and most snow blowers don't see that much use , some winters mine has sat .
Cheap engines can be found to repower it .

 

[Warstud]

I've never had a rod break on a Tecumseh engine...Could be because I have a devil of a time just getting one to stay running. JOHN ROBERT

 

[Kestas]

I already repowered once. These engines are difficult to find, and I can only get a used one to fit. As I said, this design has twin counterrotating shafts -- one to drive the wheels, the other to power the auger and blades. There is nothing new off the shelf that I can use. They stopped making this motor design six years ago.

The reason I still hang onto this unit is because they were built very well back then, far from the POS they make now. The front and bottom ends of this unit is in top condition, with little wear or any issues. It's the odd design of the pulley system that'll be the death of this machine.

 

[dave123]

Just like most things in life you get what you pay for.