How to Troubleshoot the Idle of a Toro 5200 Snow Blower

Run the engine for roughly 10 minutes, if possible, then turn off the blower. Adjust the idle screw located beside the carburetor, which is revealed by removing the air filter, to set the engine to idle at a higher speed. Turn the screw with a slotted screwdriver a full revolution clockwise and start the engine as normal, making a note of the increased idle speed. Repeat this step until the engine runs smoothly.

Replace the fuel in the snow blower's tank; dirt or moisture could have worked into the tank during the summer while the appliance was idle, causing problems for the engine. Drain the existing fuel, top up the tank with fresh gasoline and try starting the engine again. The snow blower should idle at a sustained level.

Swap out the existing spark plug for a fresh replacement; a malfunctioning plug causes the engine to run rough and possibly stall. Oil and carbon from the engine sometimes adheres to the tip of the spark plug and prevents it from working. Take the burnt-out spark plug to your local hardware store to ensure you find a suitable replacement.

Change the crankcase oil if you haven't done so in the last 25 hours of use. Dirty oil affects how the engine runs and could be the cause of the idling problems. Because warm oil flows better than cold and carries more dirt, drain the oil while the engine is still retaining some heat. Unplug the spark plug wire, raise the right side of the blower and remove the oil drain cap on the side of the mower deck. Let the oil drain into a pan and discard the product according to your local waste disposal guidelines. Top up the engine with 21 ounces of SAE 5W30 or 10 into the hole currently filled by the dipstick on top of the engine.