I have an older toro snow thrower and the same is happening to me. I took the carb apart and there is a jelly like substance all over everything. You can’t blame toro, ethanol is ruining everything.

I am a Toro Dealer in the state of Indiana. I want to let you know that Toro has Always been one of the Best, if not THE best snowthrowers on the market for over 30 years. And Toro themselves has usually gone out of their way to help every customer that has a problem. The snowthrower problems that we are all upset about have happened mainly because the engine manufacturer, Tecumseh, went out of buseiness in 2008 and let Toro with very few options as far as engines go to put on the snowthrowers. They were prety much forced to install these Chineese engines to have units to sell. As we have seen, the engines have had many problems and Toro is working on the problem as best they can. One of the reasons that it is taking so long to resolve the problem is that Toro does not want to have more problems after a fix is made. Noone is happy about this issue, in fact I, as a dealer did not bring in ANY Toro snowthrowers this year ,to my shop to sell, partially because of these problem. The thing most people do not realize is that most of the brands of snowthrowers in this size and class that are sold in discount stores and some other places have this same or similar Chineese engine in them. With similar problems. The chineese companies are very quick to get products to market, but very slow to solve problem. It is not Toro’s fault that they cannot get good carburetors to replace these. Do not be too hard on Toro as they are trying to do the best they can to help the customer. I truly hope that after this fiasco, toro can find a different brand of engine to install on there snowthrowers in the future. But the demise of Tecumseh has opened the floodgate to the chineese engine. You will find them on many new discount store variety lawnmower too, so beware, you have been warned. (Keep in mind that these comments are my own and are based on my own observations and knowedge and may not be 100% completely accurate. Use this information at your own risk as I will not be held responsible)

I bought mine (421QR) mid-Feb2010 and used it once with no problem. Took it out yesterday in anticipation of a big snow storm and have run into the same problem described by all. Additionally, I am no longer able to pull the recoil handle to full extension. My guess is that I’ll run into the same issues with respect to getting service. Complaints will be lodged, for sure.

It’s ashame toro uses chinese garbage. .this carb takes 3-5 minutes to install with a few basic tools.they don’t use ethanol in china , the ethanol in fuel here attacks the material that the tip of the needle valve is made from.i have one of these machines which i bought from my bro in laws shop , had the same fuel leak issue. replaced the carb in sept when a replacement was available . used it twice this season , shut the machine off to refill with fuel once and the replacement carb started leaking.slammed machine up and down on pavement and it stopped. same propblem… sticky needle valve. make sure your retailer is replacing the parts with updated ones .

I also have the Toro 421QE and getting same story on parts from my dealer. From all the posts it is obvious this is a known problem but sure never heard anything from Toro on my model. Now it is snowing and we are all without our $900 snow thrower. Terrible customer service and they should pay dearly over this. Bad part is there are probably many nice people who work for Toro who are going to pay because of some dumb engineer. I have file a report with the Consumer Products Safety Commission and encourage all to do so.

I used my Toro last year and was happy with how it work. This year it will not start. I replace the gas, oil, and fuel filter and still won’t work. Now I am seeing there is a recall and it may take awhile to fix. I sent a comment to Toro using the web and we will see where they direct me. Good thing I have 4×4 truck or I would still be out shoveling.

I purchased my new 421 QE late last year and used it about 4 or 5 times. I filled it up this year and found that gas was leaking from the carburetor. The authorized Toro repair shop said that Toro knew about the carburetors made in China for awhile but sold their products anyway. The carburetors are on back order. I paid a lot of money for a snowblower that was defective from the beginning. So far we had one major snow storm and are expecting another. I am without a snowblower. Toro is a company without any ethics. Shame on Toro. They should be banned doing business in the state of Illinois.

Bought my new 421QE late last year paid $ 820.Used 4 times. Filled it up this year and gas was leaking from the carb and going every where. Took into dealer on 12-6 and on 12-15 dealer called back informing me there is a massive problem with the carburetor on this model and none will be available until after Jan. 4th, 2011. Toro also confirmed this date was the earliest they would be in. He also said to expect to get the machine back at the end of January because he has others in front of mine. He also has 6 news one on the floor that he cannot sell.

My NEW 421 worked last year.. used it once.. it was a warm winter. This year.. fillled it up with gas.. wouldnt start.. stepped back and saw gas EVERYWHERE. Took it back to the dealer.. was told about the recall.. and am waiting for repair. I HOPE I have good luck with the replacement carb kit. It should be ready next week.. Will keep you informed.

I ALSO HAVE A TORO 421 EQ WITH A CARBURETOR PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT PARTS ARE BACK ORDERED AND DATE WHEN THEY WILL BE DELIVERED.

I have a toro 421eq power clear less than a year old it has had three leaking carburetors replaced.waiting for a forth.waitng two weeks with no idea from toro when they will be available from china.very poor answer from toro. I have not had any trouble with toro snow blowers for many years .until i bought this one with motor made in china.last toro I will ever buy.

I just bought the Power Cleaar 180 last week (Nov 20, 2010), filled it with gas and tested it.. worked fine until today I checked and it was leaaking gas! so months after they issued the recall they are still selling crappy products at the home depot.. i’m taking mine right back to home depot for a refund, forget trying to repair it!

I’m getting no where with my Toro Snowblower Power Clear 180 Recall.I brought new on April 28, 2010 at Home Depot and never used because the season was over. I went to start and it wouldn’t I called Toro who advised me that there was a recall and to bring to a Toro Authorized Repair Shop. There I was given a hard time and they said there would probably would be added expenses for the Repair. I said, how can that be I never used. It is now 3 weeks and I still haven’t heard from the repair shop that my machine after they said it would be a 1-1/2 to fix. Toro has done nothing to assit me in this problem but tell me that only the warrenty is covered. It going to snow and no Snow Blower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!