Snow blower elec.starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 195
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From: Mapleview,Mn.
Snow blower elec.starter
I have a snow blower with a 8 horse Tecumseh engine.The problem is the elec starter keeps falling off.Put a new starter on with new bolts and loctite, let it sit for 3days before I used it. Ran about 15 min. and all the bolts on the starter had come loose or fallen out.When I installed the new starter all the bolts were tight,but could it be that the threads in the block are bad.The starter is the 120v type
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster County PA
Sounds like maybe the bolt holes egged out a little bit and inducing that amount of vibration to something as heavy as a starter will work it loose every time, no mattter how much LocTite you put in.
Options as I see them:
1. Epoxy the bolts in. The epoxy will act as a filler and should hold. Of course, it might be difficult to get the bolts out again should you need to replace the starter.
2. Helicoil the bolt holes. They sell thread repair kits for single sizes of bolts relatively inexpensively. Those are probably 5/16 bolts. The thread repair is easy to install: run the oversize tap (included) into the hole, screw in the insert and you are done. I usually LocTite these types of repairs but it probably isn't necessary. You may have to pre-drill before running the oversize tap in, but more often than not, you don't. At least not in aluminum. Here is a link to one of many online sources. Looks like a genuine Heli-Coil kit for 5/16-24NF goe for about $30
Heli Coil Products - ToolSource - 30,000 automotive tools online. Fast Delivery, Friendly service, Secure on-line ordering.
3. Drill and tap for the next largest size bolt. That would be 3/8" 24NF if I am right that the originals are 5/16". I'd go with fine-thread bolts and LocTite them in.
Options as I see them:
1. Epoxy the bolts in. The epoxy will act as a filler and should hold. Of course, it might be difficult to get the bolts out again should you need to replace the starter.
2. Helicoil the bolt holes. They sell thread repair kits for single sizes of bolts relatively inexpensively. Those are probably 5/16 bolts. The thread repair is easy to install: run the oversize tap (included) into the hole, screw in the insert and you are done. I usually LocTite these types of repairs but it probably isn't necessary. You may have to pre-drill before running the oversize tap in, but more often than not, you don't. At least not in aluminum. Here is a link to one of many online sources. Looks like a genuine Heli-Coil kit for 5/16-24NF goe for about $30
Heli Coil Products - ToolSource - 30,000 automotive tools online. Fast Delivery, Friendly service, Secure on-line ordering.
3. Drill and tap for the next largest size bolt. That would be 3/8" 24NF if I am right that the originals are 5/16". I'd go with fine-thread bolts and LocTite them in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,347
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I would helicoil them first, then if that doesnt work, go to the next size bolt if there is enough metal to do so. I would not epoxy them in place. I had to take apart a mower that someone epoxied the bolts in place with. I was about ready to tell them to scrap it and buy a new one. But with a little heat I was able to get the bolts out and drill and tap for new bolts.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster County PA
Note: I based my answer on least labor intensive to most.(lazy)I agree that although epoxy will probably work great, I wouldn't want to be the guy that had to take those bolts out again someday.
I am familiar with that block. There is plenty of aluminum around the original bolt holes to tap to the next largest size.
So it kind of depends on what tools he has available...........
If it were me and I had the 3/8" tap I'd just tap the holes bigger.
But then again, if it gave me an excuse to buy a whole helicoil kit for $150.00 (but hon, I need it to fix the snowblower!!!) I'd do it!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 2
If the threads are ok, Drill small holes across the hex of the bolt heads, and safety wire them to each other so they can't turn.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
My snowblower also has the Tecumseh 8 HP motor on it with the electric start. I've owned it for 15 or so years and after about three years I figured out that if I couldn't start it with one or two pulls of the rope, I needed to adjust the carb. I can't even remember when I used the starter last. For me it is easier than running an extension cord to the garage door.
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