Pullstart 64,495 #1 Posted January 24, 2022 So. Rylee was plowing with Chloe and I was blowing piles back with the 310-8 (Magnum). I popped into a pile she plowed up and pop!bang!backfire!stall! Trying to restart, more backfires and pops. My guess, the snowblower stalled out the engine just enough to shear the key. Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,516 #2 Posted January 24, 2022 (edited) I haven't seen a Kohler shear a key ever. That doesn't mean it can't. Do things sound normal whilst cranking? (normal starter sound) Edited January 24, 2022 by squonk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,063 #3 Posted January 24, 2022 Looks like you need to take a look see. Dah!!! No videos, no pictures...no idea what happened. Thoughts...you ask?? Give me a break...where is my Carnac picture?? 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,495 #4 Posted January 24, 2022 40 minutes ago, squonk said: I haven't seen a Kohler shear a key ever. That doesn't mean it can't. Do things sound normal whilst cranking? (normal starter sound) normal, all except the backfires and pops…. Still have compression Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 23,063 #5 Posted January 24, 2022 Until you look at your PTO, your chain drive on the blower, maybe the newspaper that got caught...what do you want us to guess?? Bad gas??? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,516 #6 Posted January 24, 2022 If your flywheel key sheared, you probably wouldn't have compression as the flywheel would spin with the starter without the crank turning 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,516 #7 Posted January 24, 2022 3 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: Until you look at your PTO, your chain drive on the blower, maybe the newspaper that got caught...what do you want us to guess?? Bad gas??? Newspaper? I was thinking more like a Chevy truck transmission! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,495 #8 Posted January 24, 2022 1 minute ago, squonk said: If your flywheel key sheared, you probably wouldn't have compression as the flywheel would spin with the starter without the crank turning Great point. I’ve got it in the shop melting and will investigate later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,701 #9 Posted January 24, 2022 (edited) I woulda thought the belt would have slipped and squealed long before shearing a keyway. Somehow the timing got knocked off tho. I don't know too much about a magnum you know my herd... all K's.... How much sno you get over there? Unless it just sheared enough knocking the timing off Squonky? I know you know how Briggs keys sheared. They look like an off set keyway. Would be really odd for a Kohler to do that tho. Keep us posted Kev. Edited January 24, 2022 by WHX?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,204 #10 Posted January 24, 2022 Pullstart..you seem to be a really smart and knowledgeable guy when it comes to these machines. Take a look and check it out..and I’ll bet you find what’s wrong. But if not there will be more than enough help flowing your way to figure it out.😎👍 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,516 #11 Posted January 24, 2022 On a K it's a pretty big key. I'm assuming the magnum is the same. Unless the key was beat up already I can't see the key breaking. They are steel. Briggs keys are aluminum and designed to shear. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,324 #12 Posted January 24, 2022 The steel key on the PTO side on one of mine was offset...no sheared completely, but offset that would cause a timing issue with the Magnum if it happened on the flywheel side, but would not affect compression... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,701 #13 Posted January 25, 2022 Maybe magnets came loose ... seems to a rash of that going around? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,701 #14 Posted January 25, 2022 43 minutes ago, squonk said: Briggs keys are aluminum and designed to shear. True.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,516 #15 Posted January 25, 2022 Here's a thought. Magnets broke loose like Cousin Jim said or someone used an impact on the flywheel nut and the key slot had a crack in it and it broke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,861 #16 Posted January 25, 2022 (edited) You may have had a little snow get into the flywheel fan which then got up to the magneto and gave it a high resistance path to ground. Not enough to kill the ignition but enough to weaken it. May cure itself after it has dried out. PS; check the air filter for snow too. Edited January 25, 2022 by 953 nut 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,516 #17 Posted January 25, 2022 Like snow getting into the points. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,495 #18 Posted January 25, 2022 @953 nut I am clueless here. Checked oil level today, all is fine there. Fired right up! I’m looking forward to trying it out again and see if I can duplicate it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,495 #19 Posted January 25, 2022 Might have been snow getting in the wrong place. I had a 1969 SkiDoo that would do that when running in light fluffy snow. Bob 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ranger 1,774 #20 Posted January 25, 2022 Water in the gas? Runs for a while then ices up in the pump or carb jets, etc. used to come across this all the time in the winter on cars. Air passing through a venturi caused ice to form on outside of carb and any water in fuel would freeze in jets etc. After sitting for a while, ice melts and away you go! A hot engine inside a hood, ice clears quite quickly, an exposed engine outside in sub zero temps,???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,495 #21 Posted January 25, 2022 11 minutes ago, ranger said: Water in the gas? Runs for a while then ices up in the pump or carb jets, etc. used to come across this all the time in the winter on cars. Air passing through a venturi caused ice to form on outside of carb and any water in fuel would freeze in jets etc. After sitting for a while, ice melts and away you go! A hot engine inside a hood, ice clears quite quickly, an exposed engine outside in sub zero temps,???? I can’t say you’re wrong, but I just filled it with fresh Non-ethanol fuel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,701 #22 Posted January 25, 2022 Sounds great to me... you sure there WAS a problem? Or are you just "hosen" us?!??! 1 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,495 #23 Posted January 25, 2022 31 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Sounds great to me... you sure there WAS a problem? Or are you just "hosen" us?!??! It surely was broken. Well, stalled out at least. Rylee helped me drag and push it out of the snow and into the garage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,324 #24 Posted January 25, 2022 I think Richard nailed it... snow build up near the magneto.. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,495 #25 Posted January 25, 2022 Yep snow can get sucked into the wrong places sometimes. Bob 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites