Even if you did everything right last summer to prep your snow blower for winter, stored it in a dry place, and maintained it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, sometimes, your snow blower just won’t start when you need it most.
Before you rush out to have it professionally serviced, you can troubleshoot it at home. In this post, we’ll go step by step through each potential problem to help you get to the root before taking your snow blower out of commission.
Unlike battery-powered snow blowers, which are best checked by a service professional, gas-powered snow blowers require the right combination of fuel, air, compression, and ignition to start. Most common problems can be traced to one of these factors. Tackle them one by one:
One of the biggest causes of snow blowers not starting is old or stale fuel left over from last season. Gas left in the tank for a long period can deteriorate and lead to starting problems. If you’ve discovered old gas in the tank from last season, this is a likely culprit of a nonstarting snow blower.
In this case, the best course of action is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove the old fuel and replace it with fresh gas.
Fresh gas that can’t reach the engine won’t power your snow blower. First, check that the fuel shutoff valve is open. Next, inspect the fuel lines for any damage, including cracking, leaking, or kinks, which can all prevent gas from powering the engine.
Old fuel that’s been sitting too long can clog fuel filters and carburetor passages, but these are best cleaned and serviced by a qualified professional.
Another common issue with starting is a dirty or worn spark plug. The spark plug ignites the fuel that powers the snow blower, so if it isn’t functional, your snow blower won’t start.
A dirty spark plug can be cleaned per the manufacturer’s instructions, but a worn or damaged part should be replaced. Also check the service interval in your manual, as these parts should be replaced regularly over the life of the snow blower.
A closed choke on a snow blower engine helps create a vacuum that draws fuel into the engine when cold starting (usually when the snow blower has been off for more than five minutes). If it’s open for a cold start, fuel won’t reach the engine. Double-check the choke position to ensure it’s closed before you start up the blower.
On especially cold days, pumping the primer bulb a few additional times can help your engine to start. But there can be too much of a good thing. If you overprime the engine by pressing the primer too many times or if your snow blower was recently running, the engine can flood. See the next section for tips on remedying a flooded engine.
If you’ve already drained and replaced the old fuel, the residue from stale gasoline can still clog carburetor passages, interfering with fuel delivery to the engine. Inspect for dirt, debris, or blockages in any accessible air-intake components.
Check your manual to confirm that the parts you’re trying to access are suitable for cleaning or repairing. But if you need to disassemble the carburetor to clean or repair hard-to-reach places, consider taking your machine to a local dealer or service center.
Strong gas fumes are the most obvious sign of a flooded engine. If you’ve overprimed the engine or tried to start the snow blower too many times, too much gasoline can flood the engine and prevent it from starting.
Your manual can provide the best guidance for how to troubleshoot a flooded engine in your specific snow blower, but in general, you’ll have to wait at least fifteen minutes before attempting to restart, and you will use the recoil to pull excess gasoline out of the engine.
After you’ve tried everything here, comb through your owner’s manual for your machine’s model-specific troubleshooting instructions. It will also include a list of maintenance steps and when they need to be done. If your snow blower is overdue for maintenance or wasn’t stored properly over the summer, you may need to change the oil or perform other maintenance tasks before it will start.
If you see fuel leaks, hear strange noises, or smell smoke coming from your snow blower, don’t attempt to start it again. These are all signs of a potentially serious—and dangerous—problem. When these occur or if you’ve diagnosed the issue and it involves the internal engine, carburetor, or ignition, take your machine to a qualified service professional.
A nonoperational snow blower is very frustrating, but the good news is, you can avoid the inconvenience in the future. Check your manual and follow the maintenance recommendations for your specific snow blower. With the right oil, clean spark plugs, working belts, batteries, and other serviceable components, you can rely on your snow blower for years to come.
Before the next major winter storm comes, test your snow blower to make sure it’s working. And when the snow season is over, prep your machine for storage.
Most snow blower problems can be fixed with simple tweaks. By double-checking the fuel, spark plug, and engine controls and by starting your machine correctly, your snow blower can be back up and running to clear snow quickly.
And to prevent future issues, be sure to store your snow blower properly and prep it for the offseason.
Snow blowers are must-have winter tools for climates that get heavy snowfall. When it’s time for a replacement, shop snow blowers and accessories online at Do it Best or at a local Do it Best store. You can use our Snow Blower Buying Guide for guidance on making a purchase.
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