November 27, 2002
Tecumseh Products Co. Announces Recall of Power Equipment Engines

 

Tecumseh Products Co., Tecumseh, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 25,000 engines used in various outdoor power equipment. A misrouted fuel line in the engine can become damaged, allowing gasoline to leak out, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

 
The recalled engines, which were manufactured in the United States, have model numbers HMSK 80 through 110 and HM 80 through 100, which can be found on the lower left side of the engine housing. The recalled engines also have a date of manufacture code (DOM) between 02175 and 02268 followed by the letter "C", which can be found on the engine identification decal. The HMSK models are 8 to 11 horsepower Snow KingŪ snowthrower engines, while the HM models are 8 to 10 horsepower Utility engines. The power equipment, brand names, and retailers involved in this recall include:

Power Equipment

Brand Name

Retailers/Dealers

Snowthrowers

Ariens
Simplicity
Snapper
Toro

Home Depot, Ariens Dealers, Blaine's Farm, Fleet
Simplicity Dealers
Snapper Dealers
Toro Dealers

Chipper-Shredders

MTD Yard Machines
Mighty Mac
Merry Mac
Baker, Earthquake
Simplicity

Menards, Northern Tool, Home Depot
Mackissic Dealers
Northern Tool
Ardisam Dealers
Simplicity Dealers

Generators

Coleman Powermate
North Star

Menards
Northern Tool

Pressure Washers

Tilton Aqua-Stripper
Tilton Hydra Storm

Tilton Dealers
Hydra Storm Dealers

Wheeled Leaf Blowers

MTD Yard Machines

Home Depot



Retailers and dealers sold products equipped with the recalled engines nationwide from June 2002 through November 2002. Sears, Roebuck & Co. distributed a limited quantity of these recalled products under its Craftsman brand name. Equipment owners will receive direct mail notice from Sears about this recall.

Consumers should stop using the power equipment immediately and contact Tecumseh at (888) 271-4048 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to schedule a free engine repair. Consumers also can log on to the company's website at www.tecumsehpower.com. Engines that have a yellow dot painted on the fuel line have already been inspected or repaired and are not included in this recall.