Non winter rated engine powering snow blower

[Sj08]

Went to the dealer today to get an oil change kit and mentioned that I felt the engine was not getting very warm and had to drain some oil last winter due to getting overfull. He knew what I was talking about, and said that this Honda engine has a robust cooling system designed for hot summer use and recommended a factory fan cover to restrict air. Honda calls it a winter kit.
$50 seems like a lot for this little cover, but bought it because I didn't like putting tape on and guessing how much to put on and hope to not overheat the engine.
I guess I should have asked the dealer about my concern right away. For clarification this isn't a Honda snowblower, I bought this Honda engine from a family owned small engine dealer/repair shop, and installed on a Bercomac snowblower.

 

[SubLGT]

.... Snowblower engines don't typically use an air filter either.

Is this to save money on manufacturing costs, or because of potential filter clogging issues ?

 

[JTK]

Is this to save money on manufacturing costs, or because of potential filter clogging issues ?

I have a feeling it's both.

Pretty rare to have much dust/dirt in the air when snowblowing and fine snow could clog an air cleaner element.

 

[repairman54]

I have a feeling it's both.

Pretty rare to have much dust/dirt in the air when snowblowing and fine snow could clog an air cleaner element.

Snowmobiles either 2 or 4 stroke do not have air filters either for the same reasons. Some have fine screens in the cowls to limit snow dust intake but no actual filters. Even on the turbo equipped ones also. They have to start and go out in the boonies.
And we are talking about 60 to 180hp motors today.

 

[Jesse3775]

Went to the dealer today to get an oil change kit and mentioned that I felt the engine was not getting very warm and had to drain some oil last winter due to getting overfull. He knew what I was talking about, and said that this Honda engine has a robust cooling system designed for hot summer use and recommended a factory fan cover to restrict air. Honda calls it a winter kit.
$50 seems like a lot for this little cover, but bought it because I didn't like putting tape on and guessing how much to put on and hope to not overheat the engine.
I guess I should have asked the dealer about my concern right away. For clarification this isn't a Honda snowblower, I bought this Honda engine from a family owned small engine dealer/repair shop, and installed on a Bercomac snowblower.

Hi, I am having your exact problem with this engine on my wood splitter. I tried to find the cover you got but having no luck. You don't possibly have a part number or remember who you contacted to get it ? Thank you, Jesse

 

[Sj08]

Hi, I am having your exact problem with this engine on my wood splitter. I tried to find the cover you got but having no luck. You don't possibly have a part number or remember who you contacted to get it ? Thank you, Jesse

I don't see a part number on the cover and didn't keep any receipts. I went to a small family owned business that sells and services small engines and outdoor power equipment, and told them the engine I had and what I was looking for, and he had it on hand.

 

[Jesse3775]

Thanks for the reply, didn't know if you would still answer as it was from quite a few years ago ! I loved you sharing as it explained everything I was having trouble with. Seems so strange to me this does not get talked about a lot more and the part is not well known as we can't be the only ones. I did find somewhere else where a guy said he kept a one gallon ice cream cover tied to the general area so that when he needed it he just started the motor and put the cover against the flywheel air inlet, same area you show your cover, and it would just stick to it from the suction. I also thought it was maybe good as it would fall down when shutting the motor off and a guy would never forget to take it off. I definitely wouldn't want to accidentally use it in the summer the next time...