Lawn and Garden

A snowblower is a helpful device to have on hand during the winter thanks to it quickly removing snow from driveways and sidewalks. How well a snowblower runs though depends in large part on its carburetor. If not kept clean or in good condition, the carburetor can destroy your snowblower.

While there are numerous ways to clean it, including some that require you to remove the carburetor from the snowblower, one of the best ways to do so is by keeping the carburetor in the snowblower while being cleaned. Below are some tips and tricks you can keep in mind if you’d like to clean a snowblower carburetor without having to remove it.

What is a Snowblower Carburetor?

A snowblower carburetor is a device that is made up of many small parts, such as a float pin, venturi, needle, and throttle valves, that work together to mix air and fuel to help with combustion. The snowblower engine uses a mixture of air and fuel to combust, and your carburetor keeps that mixing smoothly.

How Does a Snowblower Carburetor Work?

A carburetor for a snowblower is first activated when you turn the snowblower on. Once you do this, air will then enter the carburetor. The amount of air pushed into the carburetor will depend on how open the choke is. The choke limits the airflow so that you can create a more fuel rich mixture when starting the engine. Eventually, the air will move through the carburetor into the venturi which then creates a slight vacuum. This then encourages fuel to mix with the air. As you keep the snowblower running, this process will continue to ensure your snowblower works well until you turn it off.

Signs You Need to Clean the Carburetor

There are a few ways you can tell whether or not your carburetor needs to be cleaned.

Your Snowblower Has Trouble Turning On

If you try to turn your snowblower on and it makes strange sounds or emits strong odors when you do so, it could be a sign you need to clean your carburetor. Also consider how old the gas is as old fuel can create problems as it burns.

The Snowblower Uses Up Fuel Quickly

If your carburetor isn’t in good condition, it will try to use up more fuel to help it run better. However, this can be very pricey and it can be difficult to constantly have to refill your snowblower’s gas tank after only a few minutes of running. If you feel fuel efficiency dropping consider cleaning the carb.

The Snowblower is Leaking

Another sign you need to clean the carburetor is when you see leaks. These are often caused because the carburetor is full and can’t hold the fuel in the device. This could also be a sign that there is a blockage in the carburetor that isn’t letting the fuel pass through it. Keep your engine clean so that you can easily notice leaks.

Trouble Idling

If your blower is having trouble keeping a smooth idle you will often feel it bouncing around irregularly underneath you. This is often a good sign that the carburetor needs to be cleaned.

If you do not want to mess with carburetors then consider an electric snowblower.

Ways to Keep Your Carburetor In Good Condition

A carburetor is designed to work with heavy-duty items, but still needs to be taken care of so it lasts you for many years. Below are some ways to help keep your snowblower’s carburetor in good working condition. Before starting be sure to check your owners manual.

Always Remove the Gas

If you don’t plan to use your snowblower often, you want to make sure to remove gas inside it. Otherwise, this can cause a slight build-up of gunk in the carburetor which can lead to leaks and odors. Over time it can even ruin the engine.

Clean it Out Often

Another way to keep your carburetor in good condition is to clean it out often. By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent leaks or blockages. This also helps ensure the air that is being pushed into the carburetor is clean.

Be Careful with Carburetor Cleaners

Many shops sell carburetor cleaners. These are aerosol cans that push a special detergent cleaner into the carburetor to help wash it off. These cleaners can be corrosive and are not recommended. While they might work well for some models, too often they can be damaging to the carburetor by coating surrounding parts in a liquid that could cause them to breakdown or rust. Other cleaners that require you to submerge the carburetor involve a difficult installation process. It is important to limit using carburetor cleaners and instead consider doing this process by hand.

Tips for Cleaning a Snowblower Carburetor Without Removing It

Keep Your Snowblower Turned Off

Before you go to clean the carburetor you need to make sure to turn your snowblower off. It should be cool to the touch before you open it up. Read more about how to start a snowblower that has been sitting.

Check the Air Filter

The first step is to check your air filter. This will help to ensure that only clean air is being pushed into the carburetor. If you find that the air filter is dirty, wipe it off carefully with a cloth.

Take Out the Muffler and Gas Tank

The next step is to remove the snowblower’s muffler and gas tank. By doing so, you’ll get better access to the carburetor. You can remove these parts by using a socket wrench. Be careful when removing the gas tank as it could end up spilling. Remove fuel with a siphon or even a turkey baster from the kitchen.

Remove Fuel in the Carburetor

After removing the muffler and gas tank, you then want to empty the fuel inside of the carburetor. You should use a wrench to remove the bolts around the carburetor which will help the fuel to spill out easier. Make sure to have a bowl on hand which you can empty the fuel into.

Scrub the Carburetor

Once all traces of fuel are gone, you can get to work scrubbing out the carburetor. This can be done with a damp cloth. You want to make sure to clean all areas inside of the carburetor (especially the bowl), as well as the nuts, copper wires, and bolts surrounding it. This requires some elbow grease but it is worth the effort.

Use a wire brush to scrub the nuts and bolts and clear any debris from small holes in the carburetor.

Put the Pieces Back Inside

After cleaning your carburetor, you can then re-screw the bolts back on and re-install the muffler and gas tank. Be sure to consult your owners manual for specific instructions. Once you do so, it’s a good idea to turn the snowblower on to make sure everything is working correctly.

By taking care of your snowblower’s carburetor, you can be sure that this device will work well for your needs for many years to come. Better yet, cleaning the carburetor can be somewhat simple and will only take you a few minutes. If you’re looking to clean your snowblower’s carburetor without removing it, be sure to keep the tips mentioned above in mind to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Snowfall – this word can either bring joy or terror depending on your preferences. However, no matter whether you enjoy winter or not, you need to make sure that you have a way to help clear snow from your driveway and sidewalks. When a shovel is not enough people often turn to snowblowers. This article will explore more behind snowblowers and how you can safely start a snowblower that has been sitting around for a while.

Snowblowers are extremely helpful, but as a seasonal tool they sit dormant for a long time during the rest of the year. It is always smart to start your snowblower up for the first time before the snow hits. Get your snowblower out of storage on a clear day where it is easy to inspect it and prepare it for the winter ahead. Remember that because it sat dormant the machine could need help to start working.

What is a Snowblower?

A snowblower is a machine designed to help clear snow from a drive or pathway. These devices will vary in their designs, although most feature a powerful engine which helps to lift and throw snow to the side of the pathway you are clearing.

How Does a Snowblower Work?

There are gas and electric models of snowblowers. Shoppers usually focus on the width and the engine size. Depending on the specific model, a snowblower usually collects snow using a spinning auger then throws it up the chute and out to the side.

• Single Stage snow blower – an auger directs snow straight out the chute (only for paved surfaces)
• Two Stage snow blower – an auger collects snow and a fan discharges snow through the chute
• Three Stage snow blower – like a two stage with an accelerator on the fan to move large volumes of snow quickly.

The Benefits of Using a Snowblower

There are many benefits that come with using a snowblower. Below are some you’ll find when using one.

It Works Quickly

Unlike other snow-clearing methods, such as shoveling, which can take hours to do, a snowblower helps to quickly remove snow from the ground. In fact, for most spaces, snow can easily be cleared within a few minutes.

It Prevents Overexertion

Another benefit of using a snowblower is that it helps to prevent overexertion. For instance, when shoveling snow you might find that using too much energy to push and pick up snow could end up hurting your back or even make you short of breath. A snowblower works to prevent this as all you need to do is gently push it. There are even popular self driven models.

It Helps to Completely Clear Snow From the Area

Snowblowers help to ensure that all snow and ice is removed from the pathway you are clearing. It can also blow the snow many feet away so it doesn’t get blown back to the pathway you just cleared. This is helpful as snow piles up over a long winter.

They are Easy to Move Around

While they might look heavy, snowblowers are very easy to move around, even on steep hills. They can also be moved on various types of surfaces, such as cobblestone and cement. This allows you to move the snowblower around without problems. If your house has difficult terrain then consider a self propelled two stage.

Common Snowblower Issues

You’ll need to be aware of a few common snowblower problems that you could come across when trying to start your machine up. Below are some to keep an eye out for.

Excess, old Fuel

Snowblowers can hold leftover fuel from the previous season. If not fully removed, it can hurt the engine and even cause thick fuel smells to leak from the machine when you first start it back up again. Remove old fuel using a siphon or even a turkey baster. At the end of each season run the snow blower until all the stale gas is used or store it full with a tank of dormant gas.

Spark Plug Malfunctions

A spark plug helps to ignite fuel using an electric spark when the engine starts up. The spark plugs in snowblowers can sometimes malfunction which could cause the machine to not work properly. You should always check the spark plugs before using your snowblower either by replacing them or testing them with a spark plug tester. The spark plug is usually located on the top of the engine. Trace the wires from the ignition system to the engine to find the plug easily.

Worn Paddles

The paddles connect to the auger and push snow into the snowblower’s chute. Over time, the paddles will wear out and not fully remove snow from the ground. To help prevent this, make sure to check the paddles to ensure they are in the best shape possible. Contact your manufacturer for replacement paddles every 4-5 seasons.

How to Start a Snowblower That Has Been Sitting

If your snowblower has been sitting around for a bit, you might find that it could be a little difficult to start. However, there are some ways you can safely get it working again. Follow these tips to start a snowblower.

Carefully Put it in a Safe Area

The first step is to remove the snowblower from the space you have it in and place it in a clean and open space. This will allow you to move freely around the machine and prevent possible damages and injuries.

Do a Quick Maintenance Check

After placing your snowblower in a safe area, you then want to do a quick maintenance check. This way, you’ll be able to see if some parts might have rusted or don’t work anymore. You’ll also be able to remove any leftover debris that might be on or in the machine to prevent injury.

Once you do a quick exterior check, you’ll also want to check the snowblower’s oil level, tire pressure, and spark plugs. See if your model has a fuel cut-off valve before the carburetor that needs to be opened back up. By doing so, you’ll be able to help ensure that all parts will work well during the winter storms ahead.

See if the Snowblower is Hot or Cold

When starting a cold engine for the first time, be sure to close the choke. The choke limits the air supply to the carburetor, resulting in a higher fuel concentration. Set the choke to “full” or closed so that the cold engine fires correctly. When you start your snowblower for the first time the engine might emit heavy fuel smells.

If your snowblower was recently used and has a warm engine then you can skip this step or set the choke halfway depending on your specific model.

Turn the ignition switch to on, prime the engine with three pumps on the fuel primer, and then start the engine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Slowly open the choke until it is fully open and the engine is running smoothly.

Adjust the Throttle and Start Your Snowblower Up

The next step is to adjust the snowblower throttle. Make sure to put it at its highest level which will help to burn off any leftover fuel in the machine. This is the rabbit level not the turtle level. After doing this, turn your snowblower off.

1. Set Choke
2. Turn Throttle
3. Open Fuel Shutoff valve
4. Pump Primer Bulb
5. Start

Snowblowers are a helpful device to have when winter strikes. They not only quickly remove snow, but are very easy to use. If you’d like to start your snowblower that has been sitting around for a while, definitely keep the tips listed above in mind. They will help to ensure that your snowblower doesn’t break and works well at getting the job done. Afterwards store your machine properly so that it is ready to use again next time.