In a message dated 12/7/2001 3:41:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

> Snowblower help on Friday

       Doug, forgetaboutit.  Didn't you hear on the CBC yesterday that winter 
was cancelled for this year ?  OH, yea, the CBC went on strike yesterday.  
Great, now we gotta listen to the American weather forecasts !
       More seriously, when you get that snowblower in your shop.  Drain 
whatever gas is in the tank, remove the carb fuel bowl and see if its full of 
green slime.  If it is, clean and replace, fill tank with fresh gas and some 
Marvel Mystery Oil.  Drain old oil from crankcase, fill with fresh oil.  
Install new spark plug, checking that it does spark by cranking engine with 
plug attached to plug wire and plug touching cylinder head beforehand (be 
sure that start switch is on and throttle is in start position).  Now try to 
start the beast using full throttle position and full choke.  If no luck 
after many pulls or using electric starter if it has one, take an oil squirt 
can or something similar and use this device to squirt a bit of raw fresh gas 
in the carb intake as you try to start.  This should get it to run if the 
rings and valves are allowing enough compression.  If it does not stay 
running then keep spraying raw gas in the intake to keep it running.  If it 
does not stay running, it's due to the carb being gummed up.  Once the fresh 
gas and Marvel Mystery Oil mixture get running through the carb for a while 
it should clean up and function properly.  If not then you will need to 
dismantle the carb, clean well and install a new carb kit.
       After you get the engine running then flip the thing up on the blower 
so that the back wheels are up in the air, remove the bottom plate covering 
the transmission and axel drive train.  Check the belts, chains, rubber drive 
plate, or whatever combination of gizmos they used in your model to make the 
wheels turn and blower run.  Axels and other drive shafts have bronze bushing 
that wear out from not being lubed properly, change or lube as you see fit. 
Drive chains need to be lubed with chain lube.  You can use this on the 
bushings also.  If there is a rubber coated drive plate check to see if it's 
not worn our or coverewd in grease, should be clean and dry.  Check belts for 
werar, cracks, tension and check to see it the tensioners are all operating 
properly.
       I usually charge two hours to do this check up at $35/hr (that's 15 
cents for you Americanos) if no major parts need changing.  You got it free 
here.  Merry Christmas !
       Good luck, hopefully your efforts will be rewarded by a running 
snowblower and no snow to use it on.

Happy Holidays��

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm">BusFusion</A> a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: <A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCCC</A> & Capital City VW Club 
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A> �
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli & Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com