Did my Toro snowblower just die?

[Gadgetman]

Got done with most of my snow removal duties today and was letting the machine idle as I shoveled a little around the edges when it started to idle funny and then died. I cant pull the starter rope and when I plug it in to use the electric start it makes a hellacious grinding noise. Did I burn it up or something? I was moving some serious snow just prior to this happening

[FasterThanYou23]

Sounds like it seized up

[Jae]

i second seized motor

[icehousebob]

When was the last time you checked the oil? Or changed it? I'd bet nothing shows on the dipstick.

[Gadgetman]

Well Bob you are correct, very little oil on the dipstick... I changed it last year when I put it away and it has never used any oil before, so I hadnt checked it at all this witer. I wonder if the engine can be replaced or if I am looking at just getting a new blower...it is at least 30 years old, but built like a brick out house. I wonder why it decided to start using oil all of a sudden. Bummer

[eurolarva]

Try this. Add about a cup of gasoline to the oil crank case then start it again and let it run for about 30 seconds if it starts then drain the oil gas mix and put fresh oil in it. This happened to me on my lawn mower and this freed it up and has been running for 3 years now after I did this.

[Ed Carlson]

With luck you may find a rebuilt motor and swap it at a fair price with a local service center, or bone yard? 30 years she was likely in need of some TLC preaty soon anyhow, valves, guides, rings...ect.

[Zoob]

Seized motor is bad mojo. No oil means the pistons expanded and seized against the cylinder walls. Every crank turn after that scores it all that much more.

What eurolarva suggested is about your best option for re-lubricating the engine, in the slim hopes you can get it to free itself with little damage. If it doesn't work, you're looking at either a honing job on the cylinders, replacement engine, or all-around new blower.

[zamboni]

Wow, you got 30 years out of her, nothing wrong with that!! If I were you, start looking at new units, I got mine last february at Lowes for 30% off, so this is a great time of the year to look

[Tom7227]

That's a long time but really, how many hours do you think are on it? I'd be surprised if most were run more than 15 hours a year. I bet many would last this long if they were maintained properly, at least the ones that were decently built to begin with.

[Surface Tension]

Should be checking oil each time you use the blower.

You can try to get it freed up but the damage might be beyond that. Pull the spark plug and out some penetrating oil into the cylinder. Let it soak for a while. Don't pull on the recoil rope or try to use the electric start anymore or you'll ruin both.

Take the recoil off and use a socket on the flywheel retaining nut and and budge it continually apply force in both directions.

[Gadgetman]

Alright, it is officially dead. But I did find a used replacement engine to put on the machine for a reasonable price so it isnt going to be totally outrageous to get me back in the snow throwing business. Thanks guys, I will be checking the oil more religiously from now on

[cold one sd]

My blower has never used any oil at all and I still check it before I start it. At the ennd of a season the oil may be barely off of the full mark, but I still check it every time. Very cheap insurance.

[Surface Tension]

Sometimes the oil level goes up too from a bad needle and seat.

Gas tanks are higher then the carb so the gas will drain into the crank.