Troybilt snowblower would not start.

I purchased this Troybilt snowblower new and brought it home and put a little gas in it and it started perfectly. Let it set for about 2 and 1/2 months and it would not start. Was told I left the gas in too long and it had plugged the carb. Now I have it fixed but am trying to prevent this in the future. I leave gasoline in my John Deere riding mower and my MTD roto tiller over the winter with no problems.

Does Troybilt have something in the carb that is so critical to not leaving gas in it for any amount of time. I have never used stabil or any of the gasoline products to prevent these things so it seems to be a Troybilt only problem. If this is the case I think I will never purchase any of their products again. It has a Briggs motor on it and so do all of my other items so I am at a loss on this.

PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME ON THIS.

 

Start using stabil or at least some type of stabilizer.

In the summer, with the humidity and temperature changes, it is more likely that the E10 fuel will break down (phase separation). It literally sucks the moisture out of the air. Once it does it's done. "Winter" gas is also usually of a different formulation than "summer" gas.

In the winter the air is much dryer so there is less likelihood that this will happen.

 

It has nothing to do with Troybilt or B&S.
By far this is one of the most common problems with power equipment since they came out with ethanol gas.
All the dealers in my area have signs right on the counter with a warning about using it or at least adding an additive to counter the effects of the ethanol.
Most of the new manuals that come with the equipment now mention it.
I'm lucky enough to live in a boating area and there's dozens of places I can buy non ethanol right at the gas station.

 

Also, you said you put a small amount of gas in it. A small amount goes bad much faster than a large amount. A spoonful can go bad in days while a tankful in your car may last over a year.

 

If this happens again (hopefully not) is it very difficult to clean the carb of the gunk in it?

 

I don't know which engine you have. Some are harder than others. Normally on a small horizontal shaft engine it is pretty easy.

 

One other thing you can do to prevent problems, start it up say once a month and run it for 10 minutes or so, just to keep gas moving through it.

Don't forget too, your snowblower likely sits a lot longer without being used than your lawnmower, and the lawnmower get used much more regularly.

Around here, Central MA:

Lawnmower - sits for about 4-5 months without use. November - March or April.
Snowblower - sits for about 9 months without use. March - December

 

Cheese it has a Troy bilt 179 cc engine which I am now told is a Honda clone made in China. Would have never bought if I had known what I know now. I guess I need to a bit more investigation before purchasing in the future.