Snow blowers are intricate equipment with many moving components, so difficulties are likely to occur. However, specific difficulties may be easily avoided, and others, if immediately resolved, can save you from being forced to make larger, more expensive repairs in the future.
It can be pretty aggravating when they don’t start, which might frequently happen because they were last used in the previous winter. Most of the time, a quick tune-up and some troubleshooting should solve the problem.
The Most Common Reasons for Not Starting After Summer Storage
As you know, fuel system fouling is the most common cause of no starts following summer storage. It indicates that the gasoline in your snowblower has become stale. In extreme circumstances, the stale fuel thickens and clogs the fuel system, obstructing the carburetor.
Gumming up the carburetor involves more effort than fixing stale gas, we’ll deal with both later in this lesson. Stale gas is the most likely culprit, but it’s not the only one that might be to blame.
Here’s a list of more possibilities and what you’ll need to do to fix them.
Blower Won’t Turn on
Verify that the gas tank is filled if you have a gas-powered model. Ensure the gas blower is connected to an outlet with an electric starter. Otherwise, ethanol in the gasoline may have led to moisture buildup in the fuel system if it is older than 30 days. Drain the gas from the blower using a gas siphon, then reload with new stabilized gasoline and give it another go. Make sure the battery is completely charged, or the tool is plugged in for the electric snow blowers like the Snow Joe sj627e.
Clogged Auger or Discharge Chute
If using a gas snow blower, turn off the engine, disconnect the cable, or remove the batteries. Even if you are wearing gloves, never use your hands or feet to unclog the pipe; instead, use a cleaning tool or broom handle: Even with the engine or electric motor off, a stationary auger and impeller are frequently under enough belt stress to hurt hands and feet.
The Snow Blower is Hard to Manoeuvre or Lurches Forward
On two-stage snow blowers, the wires that transfer power to the wheels must eventually be changed to deliver the right tension on the belt. You should tighten the line if the snow blower jerks forward when you grip the driving handle. Remove the cable’s clip from the handle, tighten the line’s threaded adjustment at the machine’s base, then replace the clip before testing the handling. If required, make another adjustment until the lurching stops. Spray some lubrication at the pivot points of any moving elements after adjusting the wires.
The Machine Dumps Too Much Snow
Snow and ice are scraped off the ground and into the auger by the machine’s bottom using a flat metal bar. Running over gravel, concrete, and asphalt may wear down the metal, producing snowdrifts in its wake. With the snow blower supported, take off the bolts holding the bar to the housing and swap it out for a new one. (Ask the retailer where you purchased the device for further information, or get one online by searching for the brand.) The new bar should be raised to a height of about 1/8 inch.
Remember to take caution while using a single-stage snow blower over gravel since it may pick up the gravel and toss it along with the snow, potentially shattering windows or hurting bystanders. The issue is specific to single-stage blowers since their augers make direct contact with the ground, as opposed to two- or three-stage blowers that have augers that do not make direct contact with the earth.
The Belt Breaks During Use
A belt tends to wear out more quickly on single-stage snow blowers than on two-stage models due to the friction needed to engage the auger belt. Remove the cover after each usage, and inspect the belt for cracks. Pull the wheel off first, then the problem belt, then put the new part next in the opposite sequence to replace it. A service technician should be hired to change the belt on bigger two-stage machines since it requires disassembling the device to access the flywheel.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep an additional belt (and shear pins) on hand all season long if you want to avoid going slogging through the snow to the shop.
The Snow Blower Runs Rough
There can be an issue with fuel combustion if your gas blower vibrates or seems jittery when running. Checking the spark plugs or the gasoline is both very straightforward tasks. First, empty the petrol tank and then refuel it with new gas. Try changing the spark plug next by unplugging the rubber boot connected to it and taking out the plug with a ratchet wrench.
A specialized spark plug socket is required; you can purchase them at an automobile or home center. Put a fresh plug in its place. You’ll need to take the snow blower to a dealer for repair if neither of these solutions works; contact the manufacturer to find one nearby.
The Auger Will Not Turn, Despite the Engine Running
When the engine is off, and the key is out, check the auger and impeller for any obvious issues, such as a rock or piece of ice preventing the moving parts from rotating. Next, check the shear pins, which are normally found close to the auger. For the precise location, consult your handbook. When your blower encounters a barrier, such as a rock, these pins will snap, which will cause the auger to cease operating. Your snow blower should start up again after replacing these pins. You may purchase them offline or online, but it’s always a good idea to have a few extra on hand is always a good idea.
Be Prepared Before Snow
Preparation for winter weather is essential; therefore company and house owners should think about the following advice:
- Examine the owner’s handbook. For instructions on safe handling, consult your owner’s handbook. You may search up your handbook online if you misplaced it (and store a copy on your computer, so you have the manual available to reference in the future). Review how to use the controls. You should be able to turn off your equipment instantly.
- Check your tools. When you inspect the snow blower, it should be completely turned off. Drain the gas tank if you neglected to do so when storing your snow blower last season. Reconfigure any wires. Examine the auger.
- Place your gear in a convenient location for you to access. Put your tools somewhere practical and reachable to immediately access them when needed.
- Buy the gasoline you need. Use the right gasoline recommended by the company that made your equipment. Before starting the engine, fill the gasoline tank outdoors while it’s still cold. Never add gasoline to a machine that is running or heated. After a storm, gas stations frequently close.
- Maintain appropriate fuel storage. Fill a gasoline container with fuel and mark it with the date of purchase and the fuel’s ethanol concentration. Fuel that is more than 30 days old may phase independently and result in operational issues. Using new gasoline in your snow thrower is crucial. Make sure gasoline is securely kept and out of children’s reach.
- Clean up the area before using your equipment there. Sometimes items can be hidden by snow. You should take out doormats, hoses, balls, toys, boards, cables, and other trash from the places you plan to clean. These items might damage the snow thrower or persons if they are run over by it.
- Consider what to wear in the cold. Find your safety equipment immediately, and store it somewhere easy to get to in your house. Wear protective eyewear, gloves, and sturdy footwear when walking on icy or slippery areas.
Finishing Up
Snow removal may be a difficult; therefore, using a snow blower safely is essential. It will be safer and simpler to clear away those snow mountains if you have a well-maintained snow blower.
Having a snow blower that won’t start when you need it is annoying. Since we only often use snowblowers during the winter, it’s normal for them to exhibit some hesitation when being restarted after a lengthy break.
Various factors can cause the problem with a snow blower not starting, including a clogged fuel line, an electric start issue, a faulty spark plug, and others. Most of the time, they don’t require expert help and may be handled at home.
