Reasons Your Snowblower Won’t Start
- Incorrect Starting Procedure
- No Gas in the Fuel Tank
- Bad or Old Fuel
- Bad Fuel Cap
- Dirty or Damaged Spark Plug
- Fuel Line Blockage
- Plugged Fuel Filter
- Engine Needs to Be Primed
Why is my Toro snowblower not starting?
- Check for blockages by clamping a fuel line to stop fuel flow. ...
- If you find your fuel line is clogged, remove the other side of the line so the line is off your snowblower. ...
- With the fuel line off of the snowblower, spray carb cleaner into the tube and use canned air to blow air through the tube until the line is free of ...
How to troubleshoot your snow blower not starting?
Try these DIY troubleshooting tips before the next storm to get your snow blower going again.
- Make sure all switches and valves are in the correct starting position. ...
- 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. ...
How do you start a snowblower?
… You will need to set the:
- Throttle to “High”
- Fuel shut-off valve to “Open”
- Choke to “Full”
- Run switch to “On”
Why does snowblower lose suddenly spark?
- Remove your spark plug and inspect it for signs of carbon buildup or cracked porcelain insulator.
- Replace with a new spark plug if you plug is too dirty to clean or the porcelain insulator is cracked.
- Make sure to gap them according to manufacturer specification. ...
How do you start a snow blower that won't start?
Solved! What to Do When Your Snow Blower Won't StartMake sure all switches and valves are in the correct starting position.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.More items...•
How do you start a snowblower that has been sitting?
To start a snowblower after sitting, you first need to drain the tank and add fresh fuel and stabilizer to it. If the engine still won't start, clean the carburetor or check the spark plug for damage....You will need to set the:Throttle to “High”Fuel shut-off valve to “Open”Choke to “Full”Run switch to “On”
How do you know if you flooded your snowblower?
Check the Spark Plug and Ignition System Fuel on the Spark Plug: If there's fuel on your spark plug it likely means you flooded your snowblower engine trying to start it, so simply clean the fuel off of your spark plug.
How do you start a snow blower manually?
Start It Up Pull the rope out slowly until you feel resistance from the recoil, then give it a quick, hard pull to get the engine started. Electric start snow blowers plug into an extension cord. Once plugged in, push the small button near the plug until it starts, then unplug the cord and you're good to go.
What happens if gas is left in snowblower?
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.
Is it OK to let snowblower run out of gas?
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.
How do you know if your carburetor is clogged on a snowblower?
Dirty Carburetor Symptoms Your snowblower engine turns over, but will not start. Your snowblower engine will eventually start but will have difficulty, most likely due to debris. The engine is sluggish or jerks. This could be the cause of the engine running lean, due to an imperfect air-fuel ratio.
How long to wait after snowblower is flooded?
Wait for an hour or two if you've accidentally flooded the engine by pumping the prime button too many times. The fuel needs a little time to evaporate before you try to start the engine again.
What happens if you over Prime snowblower?
Our Toro snowblower recommends pressing the primer button twice. We've found it actually requires more like 8-10 pumps to get going. Be careful not to over-prime, however, since it can flood the engine.
Do you start snowblower with choke on or off?
Always use the choke to start a cold engine, turning to “Full Choke.” Check your Owner's Manual for proper choke positioning. If the temperature is above 32 degrees, priming the carburetor may flood the engine easily so try only choking the engine.
How do you start a snowblower for dummies?
1:308:03how to start a snowblower for beginners - plus my secret to easYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're gonna turn it. Off. One notch count to three. One. Two three do it again. One two three do itMoreWe're gonna turn it. Off. One notch count to three. One. Two three do it again. One two three do it again. Good we're going to turn our throttle. Up and that is how you start a snowblower.
Can low oil cause a snowblower to not start?
Snowblowers that are fitted with a low oil cut-off switch will not start when the engine oil level is critically low. This is an engine protection feature, however, most snowblowers are not fitted with the cut-off switch and will therefore start without oil.
How long should flooded snowblower sit?
Follow these tips to fix flooded snow blower engine: Leave the machine to sit for a couple of hours. Put the choke in the off setting.
Can a snowblower engine freeze up?
A Yes, "we saw a real high incidence of machines frozen up after that, " said Derrick Wood, with Cedar Small Engine in Minneapolis. "Water gets into the machine and freezes there." In a single-stage snowblower, if you can't pull the rope, the recoil starter is frozen.
How much snow should be on the ground before using a snowblower?
two inchesSnowblowers work on any depth of snow. However, you will find the best results on snow deeper than two inches. There are some additional factors you should consider when removing snow including the type of snow and the surface you will be working with.
How long does it take for a snowblower to run out of gas?
It depends on the engine horsepower and the size of the tank. My 327cc(10hp) 30" average around 1.5 hour running with a full tank of gas. Blowing wet heavy snow uses more gas because it works harder.
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.
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.
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.
What to do if you find no problems with spark plug?
If you check the spark plug and you find no problems with it, then you should check the ignition coil.
What to do if fuel doesn't start?
After checking the fuel tank and seeing that there is good fuel in there, but the engine doesn’t start, then you should check the position of the fuel shutoff valve. If it is in a close position then the fuel isn’t getting into it. It is easy to forget to check this if it has been a long time since you used the equipment.
How to tell if fuel is bad?
To ensure that the fuel is good for a long time, add a stabilizer before adding it to your machine or before your store it in. The stabilizer will help the fuel to remain stable over time.
What to do after you drain fuel?
After you have drained the fuel, you should replace it with good fuel that has a stabilizer added. If the old fuel remains in the carburetor, then you might have to replace it or ask a professional to help you clean it.
Why is it important to check if a snowblower is working?
It is even more important that you check this because if it isn’t done right, you might flood the engine of the snowblower.
What to do if your gas engine isn't starting?
As a gas-powered unit, there has to be fuel in the tank. Therefore, the very first thing to do if you see that the machine hasn’t started is to check the fuel tank. Ensure that it is not empty. While checking the fuel tank, you should also check the oil level of the unit. If there is still gas in the tank, ensure that it is clean gas. You should start running your engine with clean fuel. But how do you know if the fuel is good?
What happens if the plug gap is wrong?
For the gap, it is important that the plug has a correct gap. If the gap is wrong, you will be unable to power your machine.
How to start a snow blower when it's cold?
In fact, to start up a snow blower when the engine is cold, you want to use FULL CHOKE mode. Also note that if the thermometer outside reads above freezing, you may not want to prime the carburetor, as this may flood the engine. It may be best, in this case, to use just choke and skip priming altogether.
What happens if you don't add fuel stabilizer?
Moreover, if you didn't add a fuel stabilizer to the gas before you stored it, the fuel might have lost its volatility. If this is the case, you'll need to drain the system through the carburetor. You can eliminate such concerns by switching to an electric snow blower . Once it's drained, you can pour in fresh fuel and a fuel stabilizer.
What is the switch on a snow blower?
Some snow blower engines have a safety key switch (you may be familiar with similar starting keys on lawn mowers ) and a red toggle switch. Check to make sure that the key is properly inserted into the holder and that the red to ggle switch is in the RUN position.
What does it mean when a spark plug is wet?
A crack in the porcelain part of the spark plug. Regarding the first issue, if the spark plug is wet, that means it has been flooded with fuel, which is not something you want. If you find the spark plug in this condition when you remove it, turn the engine over several times (with the spark plug still removed).
Can you pour fuel into a carburetor?
Once it's drained, you can pour in fresh fuel and a fuel stabilizer. If old fuel has gotten into the carburetor, then the carburetor likely needs to be cleaned or replaced by a professional. Fuel lines and filters can also get all gummed up due to dirty fuel and may need to be replaced at the shop.
Who wrote "Sometimes the issue is a simple one"?
Sometimes, the Issue Is a Simple One. Written by. David Beaulieu. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process.
