Try these DIY troubleshooting tips before the next storm to get your snow blower going again.
- Drain and replace old gas in the tank. ...
- Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. ...
- Prime the engine to force fuel into the carburetor. ...
- Clean or replace the spark plugs. ...
- Examine the fuel line for damage. ...
- Clean the carburetor. ...
- Call a service technician. ...
Full Answer
How do you fill a snowblower with gas?
Empty the measure into a gallon of fresh gas and shake it to mix. Add the mixed gas to a low gas tank, you’ll need to run the snowblower engine for 5 minutes to ensure the mixture makes its way to the carburetor. It’s as easy as that, your fuel system is protected from gumming and stale gas for up to two years.
How to fix a snowblower that won't start?
How to Fix Up Your Old Snowblower 1 Inspecting the Used Snowblower. Upon my inspection, the snowblower was missing the pull cord for manual startup, and the carburetor would leak fuel every now and then. 2 Fixing an Old Snow Blower. ... 3 Spark Plug and Starter Cord. ... 4 Final Craftsman Snowblower Maintenance Tips. ...
Does a snowblower start with old gas?
Your snowblower may start with old gas in the system, but a no start is more common. Modern gas goes stale quickly and ethanol goes stale much faster than straight gas. In an open fuel system (all small engines), gas begins to go stale after just one month. Snowblower employs an open fuel system, meaning the system is open to the atmosphere.
How do you add fuel stabilizer to a snow blower?
Add fuel stabilizer to the snow blower’s gas tank at the rate specified on the container, and then try to start the machine. Even if it doesn’t immediately start, keep cranking—by pulling the starter cord repeatedly—to help work fresh fuel and stabilizer through the carburetor.
How to start a snowblower with no spark?
What to do if your snowblower is not spinning?
Why does ethanol clog fuel lines?
What is the last thing an engine needs to run?
Can you take a snowblower into a shop?
Do snowblowers need maintenance?
Can you take a carb apart and clean it?
See 2 more
How do you start a snowblower that has been sitting for years?
How To Start A Snowblower That Has Been Sitting?Check If All Switches Are In The Right Position.Change The Gas And Add Stabilizer To It.Prime The Engine.Clean The Carburetor.Check The Fuel Line And Fuel Filter.Replace The Spark Plug.
How do you fix old gas in a snowblower?
Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Even if you've drained and refilled the gas tank, residue from the old gas could be clogging the carburetor. To dissolve it, try adding a fuel stabilizer, a gasoline treatment product that helps liquefy residue.
Will old gas prevent a snowblower from starting?
A snowblower may start with old gas in the system, however, a no start is a more likely outcome. Draining the gas and refueling often solves the problem, but a full carburetor cleaning may be needed also. Adding a fuel stabilizer at the season's end will prevent stale gas and carburetor gumming.
Can you mix old gas with new gas in a snowblower?
Old and new gas should not be mixed for a variety of reasons, the major ones are; The old gas degrades over time it should not be added because it has already lost it's combustibility. It can cause sputtering.
Is it better to drain gas or use stabilizer?
There's a much easier way to properly store your lawn equipment. To avoid damage, simply use a quality fuel stabilizerOpens a new window and fresh fuel before putting equipment away for the season.
How do I clean the gas line on my snowblower?
Use needlenose pliers to slide the clamp up the line. Twist & Pull – To remove the line. Drain – Place the end of the fuel line inside a suitable container and turn gas “On”. Drain the tank completely, and add fresh gas to the tank to rinse through the line.
Is 10 year old gas still good?
Degradation occurs from the get-go but most gas stays fresh for a month or two without issue. However, gas that is more than two month old is generally OK to use with only minor decreases in performance. Gas that is older than a year can cause issues, like engine knocking, sputtering and clogged injectors.
Can I put carb cleaner in my snowblower gas tank?
1:063:02Sea Foam tips for your snow blower engine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen added to fuel seafoam. Works through the entire fuel system to safely dissolve petroleumMoreWhen added to fuel seafoam. Works through the entire fuel system to safely dissolve petroleum residues and deposits. The restrict fuel passageways an impaired engine function seafoam.
Should I drain the gas from my snowblower?
Drain the Fuel Even if the gas has been stabilized, we recommend completely draining your snow blower's fuel system before storing it away for the season. Gas oxidizes and breaks down over time, creating sludge that can build up inside your snow blower's fuel tank, carburetor and fuel lines.
How do you rejuvenate old gasoline?
Old fuel can be rejuvenated by diluting it with new gasoline in a mix that is one to four, then adding an octane booster. Older gasoline can be diluted in a mix of one part old gasoline and four parts new gasoline.
Is 2 year old gasoline still good?
The Shelf Life of Fuel Regular gasoline has a shelf life of three to six months, while diesel can last up to a year before it begins to degrade. On the other hand, organic-based Ethanol can lose its combustibility in just one to three months due to oxidation and evaporation.
How long does it take for gas to go bad in a snowblower?
30 daysHow long can gas be stored before it goes bad? Whether in a gas can or in your snow blower, gas can go stale and lose its volatility in as little as 30 days. Using Sta-Bil Storage Fuel Stabilizer can increase storage time up to 24 months.
How long can you leave gas in a snowblower?
More specifically, you should treat the gas just before you fill the tank. Don't wait days or weeks to do it, as fuel stabilizer works best with fresh fuel. And certainly don't wait months, since gas really starts to go bad after about 30 days if you haven't treated it with any fuel additivesOpens a new window.
Can you leave gas in a snow blower?
Drain the Fuel At the end of the snow blowing season, you never want to keep fuel in your snow blower, even if the gas is stabilized; always drain the tank. You can use a siphon or chemical pump to quickly remove the remaining fresh fuel and store it in an appropriate gas can.
When should I put fuel stabilizer in my snowblower?
1:023:59Why It Is Important To Add Fuel Stabilizer To Snowblower FuelYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you get a fuel stabilizer like a star on. What a little do is it'll help to prevent that fromMoreSo if you get a fuel stabilizer like a star on. What a little do is it'll help to prevent that from happening it'll stabilize the gas. And it'll keep the gas good for a lot longer period at a time. So
What do you do when your snow blower doesn't start?
First step, check the fuel tank to make sure there is enough fuel to operate your snow blower. You should see fuel slosh around. Second step, check the spark plug. A wet plug means there's fuel going through the fuel system and there may be an issue with the ignition.
Stale Gas
Stale gas is a common problem and increasingly so as blended gasoline is also known as ethanol has become the gas of choice. Your snowblower may start with old gas in the system, but a no start is more common. Modern gas goes stale quickly and ethanol goes stale much faster than straight gas.
Removing Old Gas From Snowblower
There are two ways to remove old gas from a snowblower fuel system. engine. Drain it out or siphon it. In the workshop, I use an oil and gas siphon to remove the gas from the gas tank. It’s fast, easy, mess-free, and safe. You can check out the siphon I use here on the “Snowblower maintenance tools” or check out the Amazon link below.
Cleaning Snowblower Carburetor Bowl
With the gas bowl removed, clean the bowl using a clean rag. Check for corrosion a little won’t hurt, but a lot of corrosion inside the bowl will cause you lots of ongoing poor running issues like surging, stalling, and lack of power. If just the bowl is affected, it can be replaced, if not replace the carburetor completely.
Gas Stabilizer
Gas stabilizer as said earlier is the antidote to ethanol and an open fuel system. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and will save you a bunch of money come snow season. The gas stabilizer is a fuel additive and it may be used all season, however, it’s only necessary when the blower is going into storage.
What oil do I put in the dipstick hole on a snowblower?
After all the snowblower’s engine oil was drained, I closed back the drain port and began filling 5W-30 motor oil into the dipstick hole:
What is the piece on the right of the carburetor called?
The piece on the right is called the intake pipe and connects the carburetor to the engine block.
Why was it important to clamp off the main fuel hose?
It was important to clamp off the main fuel hose or fuel would immediately pour out once disconnected.
Is Craftsman replacement parts cheap?
Due to my experience with the Craftsman brand, I know that their replacement parts are plentiful and cheap online.
Does the auger have structural damage?
I checked out all the forward/reverse gears. I inspected the impeller to make sure it was in good shape. The auger had no structural damage.
How to start a snow blower with a carburetor?
First, prime the engine by pressing the flexible primer bulb, a small rubber or silicone bulb located on your snow blower near the carburetor, three to five times. This will force a small amount of fuel into the carburetor where it can more easily ignite. Immediately after priming, try to start the blower.
What to do if snow blower won't start?
If the snow blower won’t start even now, the spark plugs may be beyond repair. Inspect the porcelain sleeves for cracks. If you find a crack, replace the spark plug with a new one.
Why clean carburetor on snow blower?
If none of the above steps have gotten your snow blower going, you may need to clean the carburetor more aggressively to dissolve gunk and residue. A carburetor’s purpose is to combine air and fuel in a precise ratio for efficient combustion, so if it’s clogged with residue, it can’t do its job.
How to start a snow blower that has sat idle for months?
Since your snow blower has sat idle for months, the gas could easily have developed gummy residue, which can make starting the machine difficult. Siphon out the old stuff with a small siphon pump, and follow these steps for how to dispose of the gasoline. Then, fill the tank with fresh gas and try starting it again.
How to start a snow blower with fuel stabilizer?
Add fuel stabilizer to the snow blower’s gas tank at the rate specified on the container, and then try to start the machine. Even if it doesn’t immediately start, keep cranking—by pulling the starter cord repeatedly—to help work fresh fuel and stabilizer through the carburetor.
What position should a snow blower be in?
Your manual may call for the throttle to be in the “High” position , the fuel shut-off valve in the “Open” position, the choke in the “Full” position, and the run switch set to “On.” Some snow blowers even use images instead of words. Check to make sure all of switches and valves are set according to the manufacturer’s specifications, or else your snow blower won’t start.
What to do if your snow blower is under warranty?
If your snow blower is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer or the store where you bought it for instructions on how to proceed.
Why do I need to empty the tank before storing it?
If you do, then by the time you come to start it up in the winter, it may well fail on you. The reason for that is due to what happens to fuel when it ’s left to store.
How do you use a siphon pump?
Siphon pumps are quite simple, and most of them use a hand pump with two tubes going out of it. Feed one of those tubes into the fuel tank and the other into your container. It’s best to have a tall container or a regular jerry can to avoid spills.
How to get fuel out of a tank?
Pump the fuel. Once you’re all set up, simply start pumping. The siphon will suck up the liquid from the tank, and once it gets started, air pressure will pretty much do the rest. It’s best to move the tube around a little at the end to make sure you get as much as possible. Run the engine.
Why does water vapor condense in a gas tank?
The problem is caused when ethanol and water are mixed because they develop into a corrosive substance. This can affect a few parts of the engine but mainly in the carburetor.
How to check a gear shaft?
Gear shaft – To check the gear shaft, you will need to move the pivot up and then move the lower cover. Apply oil to the hex shaft, taking care not to get oil on any other internal parts such as the rubber friction disc.
Do snowblowers need a siphon pump?
Draining the gas from a snowblower may seem like a lot of effort, but with a siphon pump, it is very easy to do. When the winter comes around again, your snowblower will be waiting there for you in perfect condition.
Can you siphon fuel from a snowblower?
Although siphoning fuel from a snowblower is very easy when you have a pump, it’s a wise move to check the manual first. Here, you will see if there are any specific maintenance requirements for the model you have. Siphon pumps are quite simple, and most of them use a hand pump with two tubes going out of it.
How to start a snowblower with no spark?
If it acts as though there is no spark still, pull the plug out again, and plug it back into the sparkplug wire. Turn it over again and see if there is a visible spark. Be careful! If you smell gas, don’t try this. I always throw a rag over the sparkplug hole when I do this. If there is no spark, you may need to replace the wire or plug cap.
What to do if your snowblower is not spinning?
If your engine is running but the auger isn’t spinning, you probably need to replace the shear pins. This is one of the most common snowblower repair procedures. It’s a design feature that your auger spins on an axle and if there is too much force stopping the auger from spinning, the specially-designed pins that hold it on the axle (usually two) will snap off and save your snowblower. Find the right size for your machine and have some spares on hand, especially when you’re expecting a lot of wet, heavy snow.
Why does ethanol clog fuel lines?
Today’s ethanol-added fuels have a tendency to clog because the cellulose in ethanol settles faster than petroleum and creates a serious clog. Fuel line is cheap, though, so an easy fix is to replace the line, and be sure to add fuel additive in the spring.
What is the last thing an engine needs to run?
Compression. The last thing an engine needs to run is compression. If the motor will turn over, listen to it to see if there is any obvious sound of an air leak. Chances are, you won’t hear one, so the next step is a compression tester. Look in your owner’s manual for the proper compression for your engine.
Can you take a snowblower into a shop?
You can pony up the money to take it into a shop and run the risk of it taking a while as the mechanic works through the backlog of stuff awaiting repair, and/or having the repair cost almost as much as the snowblower did in the first place. The other option is to roll up the sleeves and fix it yourself.
Do snowblowers need maintenance?
Every snowblower will eventually need some maintenance, but you don’t have to be intimidated by snowblower repair. We are here to help. There are basically two times of the year when dealing with a snowblower repair is not going to be much fun at all – right before winter hits, or during winter. Unfortunately, those seem to be the times ...
Can you take a carb apart and clean it?
You can take it apart and clean it, which is fairly easy to do, but you have to put it back together in the exact same way to get it to work again. An easier way to go is to simply install a new carb. They aren’t that expensive and if you’re not used to working on one, there are less headaches involved.
