I have a toro power max snow thrower with a Tecumseh engine, have it for about 20 years.
Ever since it was new it would puff air every once in a while. Runs even and then poof, a longer amount of air out the muffler. A friend of mine stated when it was new that it is no big deal, and I have had no issues to make me think that I do. I am now wondering why it would do this as other snow throwers I have been near do not do this.
Does it mean there is an air leak somewhere?
Thanks!
Ken
Are we allowed to guess? 
I'm no mechanic, so don't know whether it's even possible ... could a valve momentarily be "stuck" [open] for a couple of revolutions and then spontaneously work normally?
I'll be checking in .... maybe we'll both learn something.
Edited by - Owen on 02/06/2025 17:07:44
Sounds to me like the gas/air mix may be too rich or too lean. You might also check the spark plug gap. I wouldn't think it would be a sticking valve for the danger of the piston hitting it and eventually breaking it, or damaging the piston. I think you would have known that by now. Can you call an area small engine shop and ask - without having to bring it in?
My pressure washer started putting out a lot of smoke, then started sputtering. The first thing I did was to check the oil and it was loaded with gas ...... not good. Either it's the carb, piston rings, ......or ..... but not going to run it until I find out.
Thanks Guys! Appreciate your thoughts.
I stopped asking questions at the desk when I pick up parts as they usually say they are not the ones that work on the machine. :(
John, I just worked on my snow throwers carburetor, cleaned it and rebuilt it as it was surging. Works great now other than what it was doing since new. I am not an expert on engine work, but learned something new about the carburetor on my Tecumseh engine and I would "think" it is the same on most small engine units. have you tilted your power washer lately?? If you tilt the machine in the direction of intake/choke/air filter the gas that is in the cup, and possibly the gas tank, will spill in that direction. If you tilt the machine in the other direction the gas will spill into the engine and go into the oil. Something to research.
EDIT.
Elmo... unfortunately the later Techumseh's dont have an adjustable carb as the older ones do. I have seen a few videos where the ops said to get microbits to slightly increase the holes in the brass screw with the air jet holes, not something I feel like doing :(
Edited by - banjoken on 02/07/2025 08:39:52
Ken, when you say "longer" do you mean time per se, or that it somehow sounds different?
It seems to me that the relative lengths of time for each of the 4 strokes in the cycle would stay constant for any given rpm ... I don't see how there could be a change in the time one takes relative to the others.
Re."A friend of mine stated when it was new that it is no big deal ... ." can you ask him what causes the different/longer/?? exhaust puff?
Tongue-n-cheek, re. drilling the jet, maybe a line from back when I was young(er) and foolish(er) and killing time with friends could be put to use. For some reason, the one we used wasn't, "Here, hold my beer." but rather, "The Lord hates a coward."] 
Fwiw, I still occasionally mutter it when my turn comes round at the yocal circle/performance jams.
Edited by - Owen on 02/07/2025 10:46:54
quote:
Originally posted by banjokenThanks Guys! Appreciate your thoughts.
I stopped asking questions at the desk when I pick up parts as they usually say they are not the ones that work on the machine. :(
John, I just worked on my snow throwers carburetor, cleaned it and rebuilt it as it was surging. Works great now other than what it was doing since new. I am not an expert on engine work, but learned something new about the carburetor on my Tecumseh engine and I would "think" it is the same on most small engine units. have you tilted your power washer lately?? If you tilt the machine in the direction of intake/choke/air filter the gas that is in the cup, and possibly the gas tank, will spill in that direction. If you tilt the machine in the other direction the gas will spill into the engine and go into the oil. Something to research.EDIT.
Elmo... unfortunately the later Techumseh's dont have an adjustable carb as the older ones do. I have seen a few videos where the ops said to get microbits to slightly increase the holes in the brass screw with the air jet holes, not something I feel like doing :(
Thanks Ken ...... I don't think I tilted it, but I'll explore everything
Hi Owen,
Perhaps a larger puff of air rather than longer would be more accurate, though a larger puff would take longer. LOL
Maybe the best way to describe it would be if you inhaled completely, squeezed your lips shut, tried to blow out your closed mouth, and then opened your lips slightly so it all comes out in less than a second would be the best way to recreate it. There is no relation to rpm's of the motor, it could run smooth for a while and then it happens randomly.
If I place my hand close enough to the muffler to safely feel and hear the exhaust of the motor the puff is much stronger than the normal exhaust. Might even blow out a candle where the normal would not.
Edited by - banjoken on 02/07/2025 13:18:11
oh... perhaps it was wrong of me to use " jet" to describe the hole in question. The brass screw that regulates the air flow is accessible on the outside of the carb, usually covered by a plastic cap on the Tecumseh. It is definitely not the fuel jet. :(
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