Snowblower: Hard To Start

The carburetor on your snow blower mixes the air and fuel together for combustion. If the air/fuel mixture is off, your engine will be hard to start, it will run rough, or it will not run at all. Locate the carburetor and if needed remove any covers or heat shrouds to gain access to it. You can use a carburetor cleaner and a soft brush to clean out the inside of your carburetor. Over time and extended use the carburetor can get a little gummed. Ensure the choke valve is functioning properly; it should be closed to allow the air/fuel mixture to be rich enough to start the engine. If the cable is stretched, it should be replaced. Locate the mounting points on each end and remove the old cable, and replace it with a new one. Make sure all the springs are there, and check to see if any have broken off. You will need to refer to model-specific repair guides for the proper spring hook up.

The air filter removes debris and dirt from the air, so it does not damage the snow blower engine. If the air filter becomes heavily saturated or clogged with debris, it will make the engine hard to start. During routine maintenance, you should clean and inspect the air filter. Doing this regularly will help prevent problems. You should also replace it as needed.

The fuel filter prevents debris from entering the carburetor and the engine, causing damage. It is located on the snow blower in between the fuel tank and the carburetor. Restricted fuel flow can prevent the engine from starting and running. To inspect your fuel filter, you’ll need to remove it, gently twist the fuel line off both ends, and blow through it. If it is blocked or you suspect it is partially blocked you can replace it. It is recommended that this is done as part of your regular snow blower maintenance.

The gasket’s job is to seal the gap between the carburetor and the engine, preventing air and fluids from entering areas where they are not supposed to go. A damaged gasket below a carburetor will pull excess air into the cylinder, which will make it hard or impossible for you snow blower engine to start. To inspect the gasket, you will need to pull the carburetor off. It should be noted that gaskets are a one-time use part. Therefore, once you take it off to inspect it, you will need to replace it regardless of its condition. Some models will require you to remove covers and heat shrouds to gain access to the carburetor, and on other models the carburetor will be exposed. Once you have access to the carburetor, undo the bolts that hold it in place and remove any linkages and fuel lines. Make sure you pinch off the fuel line ahead of time to prevent leakage. Now you can lift the carburetor off the engine, and you can inspect the condition of the gasket. Look for tears or rips or any indications of leaks. You’ll then need to replace it with a new gasket and reinstall your carburetor.

The spark plug in your snow blower ignites the air fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. To inspect your spark plug, start by removing the wire lead. They are fragile, so be careful. You should clean the area around the spark plug, this will help prevent any dirt and debris from getting into the combustion chamber when you remove the plug. You can now use a spark plug socket to remove spark plug and check the condition. The normal spark plug color should be a light brown or grey. Clean the plug, and gap it to the manufacturer’s specifications. You should also be inspecting the plug for any deposits, burnt electrodes, cracks, wet fouling, corrosion, melting, or arcing. If you notice any of those things on your spark plug, it is best to replace it. Before installing a new spark plug, make sure it is properly gapped to the manufacturer’s specifications. Replacing a spark plug is inexpensive and should be a part of regular snow blower maintenance.

The primer bulb allows you to pump fuel into the carburetor to make it easier for the snow blower engine to start in the cold. You only need to press the bulb twice. Due to constant contact with fuel, this part will become brittle over time, which may lead to cracks or deterioration. If the primer bulb is cracked, leaking fuel, or you can hear air entering when pressing it, those are signs that the bulb is not functioning and it will need to be replaced. To replace your primer bulb, start by using a small flat-head screwdriver to pry out the old one. Once that has been removed, you can install a new primer bulb by using a larger flat-head screwdriver to carefully tuck the edges back into place. Please note that this will vary depending on exact model type. With some models, you will need to remove the cover that the primer bulb is housed in. You will need to disconnect the fuel line and push the pins in with pliers to remove the unit. Once the cover has been removed, you can then pull off the old primer bulb and replace it with a new one. Then reinstall the bulb back onto the cover, remembering to hook the fuel line back up. Now you can put the cover back on your snow blower engine.

A carburetor kit has everything you need to rebuild the carburetor in your snow blower. It is a great way to extend the life of your engine and keep it running smoothly. Rebuilding the carburetor restores it to new condition. We recommend that you take pictures as you take your carburetor apart, it will make reassembly much easier. It can also be helpful to lay the parts out in the order you take them off. To access the carburetor, start by removing any covers or shrouds around it, on some models, the carburetor is already exposed, so you will not have to remove anything to gain access to it. Please note that you may have to remove the handle bar to pull off the covers. Depending on your model, you may also have to remove the throttle knob, and disconnect any switches and fuel lines on the primer bulb to remove the cover. Once you have access to the carburetor, you’ll need to locate and remove any bolts holding the carburetor onto the engine and air intake. Carefully remove the choke lever. Make sure that you pinch off the fuel line. This will help prevent fuel from leaking when you remove the fuel line. Once the fuel line has been removed you can slide the choke control plate off the carburetor, then disconnect the linkage from the control plate and the carburetor. Disconnect the throttle rod return spring and remove the throttle rod from the carburetor. You should now be able to slide the carburetor right off. Now you can move to a workbench to start the disassembly. Remove the nut on the bowl, then remove the bowl and gasket. Pull out the float pin and the needle valve. Unscrew the main jet screw, dump it out with the emulsion tube, and then remove the plastic throttle stop and the metering plug. Spray the carburetor, fuel bowl, and all the small orifices with carburetor cleaner, and then carefully wipe each of the parts with a clean cloth. Inspect the inside of the carburetor and bowl for corrosion. If you notice any, then it is time to replace the carburetor. Install the new emulsion tube and main jet. Press the new metering plug firmly into place, and reinstall the throttle stop screw. Tighten it until it sticks out the other side, approximately 1/16 of an inch. Place the new spring on the needle valve and snap the new needle valve into the new float. Then reattach the float into the carburetor by sliding the new pin in. Install a new O-ring on the bowl before putting it back into the carburetor. Once you have finishing rebuilding the carburetor you can now attach it to the engine. Do not forget to place a new gasket between the carburetor and the engine. Reattach the throttle cable and fuel line, and unpinch the fuel line. Reinstall the cover that houses all the knobs, switches, and primer bulb making doubly sure that all connections are secure, and that everything has been hooked back up. Reinstall all the covers and shrouds and the handle bar.

The fuel lines in your snow blower deliver the fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor. In the carburetor, the fuel is mixed with air for combustion. Pull the fuel line off the carburetor gently in a twisting motion, and check for fuel flow to ensure that the engine is receiving fuel. If it is getting fuel, you can reinstall the line. If not, you can locate the blockage by following the problem all the way to the fuel tank. You can always blow through the line looking for a blockage; if air does not flow all the way through a line there is a blockage. Due to constant contact with fuel, the plastic the lines are made of becomes brittle and can start to deteriorate. If fuel lines look old, weathered, or cracked they should be replaced. If they are not replaced, that could lead to fuel leaks, which is a fire hazard.