rmaynard 15,434 #1 Posted October 6 I know many of us are not fans of Tecumseh. I purchased my Cyclone Rake back in 1990. It came equipped with a 5hp Tecumseh engine. Although I was not real happy about that, I have to admit it has been a very tough engine. All that I ever do is oil changes, and air filters. I have never replaced the spark plug or pulled the carb. For the last 5 years, ever since one of my local gas stations started selling non-ethanol gas, I have been running that exclusively. Every fall, the engine starts and runs well. This year as well, it started, but after about 15 minutes it started to run rough and puff black smoke. Usually an indicator of a rich gas mix, I checked to see if the choke was stuck on, but no choke on this model. Then I thought maybe a small piece of junk blocking the float valve open. That's what it was. A complete cleaning of the carb, cleaned the sooty spark plug and voila, engine runs perfectly. Got to say, this Tecky is a champ. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,390 #2 Posted October 6 As a total structure most Tecumseh engines were very good. The unfortunate part (and IMHO their downfall) was they overcomplicated the external systems of fuel and ignition. The ones that run well seem to, forever. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,813 #3 Posted October 6 With the right tinkering I can get the 8hp tecky running on a POS 30yo sno blower running first pull after sitting all summer. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,390 #4 Posted October 6 5 minutes ago, WHX?? said: With the right tinkering I can get the 8hp tecky running on a POS 30yo sno blower running first pull after sitting all summer. Yepp. The Tecumseh "Snow King" have an excellent reliability history. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,307 #5 Posted October 6 One of the huge advantages of the newer style plastic fuel tanks - no rust issues. Drain & run it dry in the spring, new fuel in the fall & go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,434 #6 Posted October 6 3 hours ago, WHX?? said: With the right tinkering I can get the 8hp tecky running on a POS 30yo sno blower running first pull after sitting all summer. Many of those snow blower engines have the Tecky carb with a metering rod. That rod and the shaft that it sits in gets all gunked up. If it can't be cleaned, then a $10 Chinese replacement carb will work well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,193 #7 Posted October 7 On 10/6/2024 at 8:10 AM, rmaynard said: I know many of us are not fans of Tecumseh. I purchased my Cyclone Rake back in 1990. It came equipped with a 5hp Tecumseh engine. Although I was not real happy about that, I have to admit it has been a very tough engine. All that I ever do is oil changes, and air filters. I have never replaced the spark plug or pulled the carb. For the last 5 years, ever since one of my local gas stations started selling non-ethanol gas, I have been running that exclusively. Every fall, the engine starts and runs well. This year as well, it started, but after about 15 minutes it started to run rough and puff black smoke. Usually an indicator of a rich gas mix, I checked to see if the choke was stuck on, but no choke on this model. Then I thought maybe a small piece of junk blocking the float valve open. That's what it was. A complete cleaning of the carb, cleaned the sooty spark plug and voila, engine runs perfectly. Got to say, this Tecky is a champ. Like you said there seems to be a lot of Tecumseh haters. My 654 has one & it's been great. I mow all summer and then I plow snow with it. Surprised at how well it pushes snow for only being 6hp. Just like you....oil changes & filters has all that's been needed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
