Go new or repair snow blower?

[ecduzitgood]

I've got an Ariens st1032 (early 80's model 924073) 10hp/32" and I need to buy a new starter(120volt) and look into a carb issue either new or rebuild kit (with float). I also have a newer Ariens st1336LE (model 924073 supposedly 4yrs. old)w/electric 12volt start 8hp/36"(not 13hp like I thought) I just got off of c-list last week. The newer machine needs a new scraper bar and tomorrow I'll check the belts seems to have some issues I'll look into. What I liked about the newer machine is it apears to have the same body as the older machine (heavier steel with the steel chute). I have a driveway that is 120' long plus I clear out around the hydrant (I clear this like a small driveway so there is easy access) and I also make paths around the backyard for the dogs (they are corgies so they have short legs). I am wondering how the newer machines are built (thinner steel and plastic chutes??)and are they worth the money? Do they build them like they used to?

Thanks in advance!
Ed

[gone fishin]

All I can say is keep your existing machines! I had a Ariens for many years and it served me well. I had a neighbor give me a much newer John Deere machine and I gave my son the Ariens. ( vintage early 50's). The John Deere is a horrible piece of junk! It has failed me every time I use it. Made of a much lighter metal and mechanically it is garbage. The Ariens is still chugging along and holding up well!! Son will not give it back...

[Raven]

depends if you have a heated work space.

if not fix them later and go with a new one

but if your determined.........

carb's rarely die so get a carb kit and blow that sucker out
with air.... make sure to wear protective eye wear even when using
a spray can with solvent and the red straw because of blow back.

more often than not it's the settings that mess with you so witness mark
everything and or take digital pics and make it easier ,Don't rely on your memory.

[ecduzitgood]

Going to look into fixing them today. It would be nice to have a heated work space but I am used to working in the cold. I just replaced my fuel pump in my 97 Explorer Friday and Saturday on my back in the driveway . Atleast they put stainless supply and return lines unlike the brake lines which last winter I had to replace all of them because one started leaking due to rust what a bitch of a job. I just turned 100k and can't afford to replace it now so fix or repair daily it's going to be.

Update: Got the 1032 runing after cleaning the carb and making adjustments but I'm still not happy (engine won't idle smooth enough and the rpm's are fluctuating too much for my liking) so I'm going out to get new belts for the 1336 (they're shot) and will look for carburetor rebuild kits for both machines and if I have too I'll make a new scraper blade for the 1336 if I can't find one 36"(still has a little meat left but not much).

[maddog2020]

Part of the problem could be the crappy gasoline they sell now with the gunk in it so cars can burn the alcohol. Try using some top shelf/premium gasoline and see if it helps.

The fuel additives creat a lot of problems so out engines can tolerate burning alcohol. Parts guys love it because they sell a lot of carberators!

Older machines use more metal and often are thicker metal - much heavier in weight so they can be rebuilt/repaired easier. The Professional line of Ariens is beefier and a little more $. Big stores like Home Depot sell snowblowers, but they are not the same ones you get from a landscraping store.

I tried soaking a gunked up carb for a few days and the white scaling crap on it wasn't going anywhere - it was clogged and useless. I purchased a new carb for under $20 and bolted it on and it the pressure washer started on the first pull. This was on a Honda motor. Makers of motors are aware of the gas issue and offer affordable bolt on replacements.

Whatever you do don't give away your older machine to the idiot on CL from southern NH/northern MA who is constantly begging for them and doing people a favor by taking it away for them. The bozo fixes them and sells them for $. Lots of good parts off any busted snowblower!! Sorry - off on tangent as usual.

Older machines were overbuilt and more durable than no name ones they sell now. There are probably just a handful of companies really making them and they just powder coat the steel another color and just different logos on it.

[ProfessorM]

just dropped mine off a hour ago. Ariens dealer in Norton. He does good work. Mine is 1989 model and I am not buying another. I would have it fixed. I did look at the new ones and they are sweet but I did not ask what they cost.

[TheSpecialist]

Go to a marine store that carries Johnson Evinrude additives and get the 2+4 fuel conditioner. I run it in my outboard and never have any problems. My snowblower started coughing and spitting a little and then stalled so I put some in the tank and it smoothed right out. The ethanol is crap, I just replaced a carb on a 1 1/2 year old echo string trimmer, and found out that the small engine folks are not warranting carbs any more.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by ecduzitgood

Going to look into fixing them today. It would be nice to have a heated work space but I am used to working in the cold. I just replaced my fuel pump in my 97 Explorer Friday and Saturday on my back in the driveway . Atleast they put stainless supply and return lines unlike the brake lines which last winter I had to replace all of them because one started leaking due to rust what a bitch of a job. I just turned 100k and can't afford to replace it now so fix or repair daily it's going to be.

Update: Got the 1032 runing after cleaning the carb and making adjustments but I'm still not happy (engine won't idle smooth enough and the rpm's are fluctuating too much for my liking) so I'm going out to get new belts for the 1336 (they're shot) and will look for carburetor rebuild kits for both machines and if I have too I'll make a new scraper blade for the 1336 if I can't find one 36"(still has a little meat left but not much).

make sure the manifold is tight

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by ecduzitgood

I've got an Ariens st1032 (early 80's model 924073) 10hp/32" and I need to buy a new starter(120volt) and look into a carb issue either new or rebuild kit (with float). I also have a newer Ariens st1336LE (model 924073 supposedly 4yrs. old)w/electric 12volt start 8hp/36"(not 13hp like I thought) I just got off of c-list last week. The newer machine needs a new scraper bar and tomorrow I'll check the belts seems to have some issues I'll look into. What I liked about the newer machine is it apears to have the same body as the older machine (heavier steel with the steel chute). I have a driveway that is 120' long plus I clear out around the hydrant (I clear this like a small driveway so there is easy access) and I also make paths around the backyard for the dogs (they are corgies so they have short legs). I am wondering how the newer machines are built (thinner steel and plastic chutes??)and are they worth the money? Do they build them like they used to?

Thanks in advance!
Ed

Get it rebuilt

[Swimmer]

I was on Ariens.com today looking up manuals and parts catalog for my blower. 8 h.p. and only 24" wide. When I bought this the 10 h.p. and 32" wide blower was considered commercial use, so the wife kind of frowned on that one. But I am going to order the manuals tomorrow and buy a couple of new belts and a few other preventive medicine parts as well. One of the guys I work with has one he got from his father who bought it in 1962 and it still runs. Engine has been overhauled twice. I'd repair yours just as I will repeair mine when it comes up, knock on wood, the quality just isn't there anymore.

[ecduzitgood]

I am going to repair them both and try the fuel additive and have found some manuals and part numbers etc. I do like the older one best (st1032 10hp 32") and will look more into the differences once I get them open to change the belts. I don't have much experience with the overhead vavle engine (st1336le 8hp/36") and wonder if it will be as durable as the older tecumseh engines.