Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges

gapster · 12-19-2008, 05:55 PM

While using my snowblower today, I noticed the engine would surge when the choke setting was set to the far left in the off position. It ran evenly in the middle setting of the choke. I know its a toro clone, hope someone can help.

MrChooks · 12-20-2008, 01:25 PM

Hi & welcome to TSF.

I am not sure if I understood your post correctly - so apologies up front if I have it wrong.

But if your engine starts OK with choke, once it is warm, then you should turn the choke off. Once a cold engine warms up, there should be no need for choke at all - and if you leave it on, the engine will run poorly.

Similarly, once warm, when you turn the choke off, the engine will run correctly / smoothly - Is that what you mean by "surging"??

gapster · 12-20-2008, 04:35 PM

I was running it today, when it seemed warmed up, I turned the choke off, it started to speed up then slow down and it continuously did this until I started to clear snow. Well for the first time I inspected the drive belt and noticed it seemed loose. I ordered one today, hope this helps.

MrChooks · 12-20-2008, 04:41 PM

Yes that could be it - if the load comes and goes due to the slack belt, then that can cause surging as the governor tries to keep up with the rapidly changing load - otherwise it sounds like the engine governor is "hunting".

Try spraying some "spray lube" around all the governor / car linkages as if they get a bit stiff due to dirt / corrosion - that can cause the governor to hunt.

Good luck with it

gapster · 12-28-2008, 10:02 PM

I replaced the drive belt, and lubed up the linkages as you suggested. I go to start it up, the primer bulb collapses. Good news however, I had a turkey baster handy. It runs just fine, thanks.

**Basementgeek** · 12-28-2008, 11:11 PM

If your primer bulb has a hole in the middle, don't use a gloved finger. Of course you have ruined the turkey baster.

BG

gapster · 12-29-2008, 07:56 AM

Of course I would never use this baster again for food, I never used a glove finger on the primer bulb. I think the venting of the carburetor and new gas additives destroys the bulb. I keep 2 on hand now.

MrChooks · 12-29-2008, 12:40 PM

Well done gapster - you got it fixed and running properly

I know I shouldn't ask this - but I going to anyway - given you start it with a turkey baster primer - does the engine still go vrooom-vroooom - or does it now go gobble gobble?

gapster · 12-29-2008, 09:52 PM

Gee I never found out, all the snow melted.

12-19-2008, 05:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
gapster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: windows98	Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges While using my snowblower today, I noticed the engine would surge when the choke setting was set to the far left in the off position. It ran evenly in the middle setting of the choke. I know its a toro clone, hope someone can help.

12-20-2008, 01:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
MrChooks Gearhead Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 613 OS: Windows XP Home SP 3 My System	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges Hi & welcome to TSF. I am not sure if I understood your post correctly - so apologies up front if I have it wrong. But if your engine starts OK with choke, once it is warm, then you should turn the choke off. Once a cold engine warms up, there should be no need for choke at all - and if you leave it on, the engine will run poorly. Similarly, once warm, when you turn the choke off, the engine will run correctly / smoothly - Is that what you mean by "surging"??

12-20-2008, 04:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
gapster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: windows98	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges I was running it today, when it seemed warmed up, I turned the choke off, it started to speed up then slow down and it continuously did this until I started to clear snow. Well for the first time I inspected the drive belt and noticed it seemed loose. I ordered one today, hope this helps.

12-20-2008, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
MrChooks Gearhead Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 613 OS: Windows XP Home SP 3 My System	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges Yes that could be it - if the load comes and goes due to the slack belt, then that can cause surging as the governor tries to keep up with the rapidly changing load - otherwise it sounds like the engine governor is "hunting". Try spraying some "spray lube" around all the governor / car linkages as if they get a bit stiff due to dirt / corrosion - that can cause the governor to hunt. Good luck with it

12-28-2008, 10:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
gapster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: windows98	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges I replaced the drive belt, and lubed up the linkages as you suggested. I go to start it up, the primer bulb collapses. Good news however, I had a turkey baster handy. It runs just fine, thanks.

12-28-2008, 11:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,483 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges If your primer bulb has a hole in the middle, don't use a gloved finger. Of course you have ruined the turkey baster. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

12-29-2008, 07:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
gapster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: windows98	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges Of course I would never use this baster again for food, I never used a glove finger on the primer bulb. I think the venting of the carburetor and new gas additives destroys the bulb. I keep 2 on hand now.

12-29-2008, 12:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
MrChooks Gearhead Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 613 OS: Windows XP Home SP 3 My System	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges Well done gapster - you got it fixed and running properly I know I shouldn't ask this - but I going to anyway - given you start it with a turkey baster primer - does the engine still go vrooom-vroooom - or does it now go gobble gobble? Last edited by MrChooks; 12-29-2008 at 12:41 PM.

12-29-2008, 09:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
gapster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5 OS: windows98	Re: Lawnboy snowblower model 320 surges Gee I never found out, all the snow melted.