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How to Tune an MTD Snow Thrower Carburetor
How to Tune an MTD Snow Thrower Carburetor. Tuning the carburetor on an MTD snow thrower that runs rough is an easy task to accomplish, and will allow the machine to operate more efficiently with less fuel consumption that an out-of-tune carburetor. It is always good practice to replace the spark plug immediately prior to tuning the carburetor...
Tuning the carburetor on an MTD snow thrower that runs rough is an easy task to accomplish, and will allow the machine to operate more efficiently with less fuel consumption that an out-of-tune carburetor. It is always good practice to replace the spark plug immediately prior to tuning the carburetor because a fresh spark plug will allow for more complete burning of the fuel air mixture produced by the carburetor, thus providing much better engine performance. When done together, a fresh spark plug and a carburetor tune will significantly improve the performance of your MTD snow thrower.
Things You'll Need
Champion RJ-17LM spark plug or Autolite AR7N spark plug
Spark plug wrench
Fresh gasoline
Small slotted screwdriver
Clean rag
Park the MTD snow thrower on a flat, hard work surface. Allow it to cool if it has been running and the engine is still hot to the touch. When sufficiently cool, wipe down the area around the spark plug with a clean rag so that no dirt or other debris will enter the combustion chamber. Carefully pull the spark plug wire from the end of the spark plug, and push it to one side of the engine.
Remove the spark plug from the engine using a spark plug wrench. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to remove the plug, and take care that the wrench sits perpendicular on the plug at all times. Install a new spark plug by twisting it into the spark plug hole clockwise until finger tight. Tighten the plug half a complete turn further by using the spark plug wrench. Do not over tighten. Reattach the spark plug wire.
Fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline by twisting the fuel cap counterclockwise and removing it. Fill the fuel tank to the bottom of the fuel tank filler neck, then replace the cap and twist it clockwise firmly until tight.
Locate the three carburetor (carb) adjustments screws on the carburetor. There will be one located on the top of the carb (power adjusting screw), one on the left side of the carb (idle mixture screw) and one on the bottom center of the carb (idle speed screw). Using a small slotted screwdriver, close the top carburetor screw by turning it clockwise until a slight resistance is felt in the screwdriver. Then, back that same screw out one full revolution (360 degrees) counterclockwise.
Using a small slotted screwdriver, close the left side idle mixture screw by turning it clockwise until a slight resistance is felt in the screwdriver. Then, rotate that same screw out for one and a half full revolutions (540 degrees) counterclockwise.
Start the snow thrower and allow it to reach normal operating temperature. This will usually occur in under 5 minutes' time. Place the throttle in the "Fast" position.
Slowly turn the power adjusting screw (top screw) slowly clockwise until the engine starts to misfire. Then turn the screw counterclockwise until it starts to misfire again. Next, turn the power adjusting screw clockwise again, and leave it in the position midway between the two previous positions that caused the engine to misfire.
Reduce the throttle to the "Slow" position so that the engine idles. Slowly turn the idle speed screw (the one on the bottom center of the carb) clockwise until the engine attains a fast idle (approximately 1,750 rpm).
Slowly turn the idle mixture adjusting screw (side screw) slowly clockwise until the engine starts to misfire. Then turn the screw counterclockwise until it starts to misfire again. Next, turn the idle mixture adjusting screw clockwise again, and leave it in the position midway between the two previous positions that caused the engine to misfire.
Adjust the idle speed screw (top screw) so that the engine will idle smoothly at approximately 1,750 rpm (fast idle).
