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Snowblowers are excellent devices to prevent your hard work, shoveling the snow, and stressing the back out. A Sno Tek snowblower review relies heavily on the two-stage blower that cuts through heavy ice and snow.
However, like all other pieces of machinery, a snowblower requires maintenance, failing which it does not work smoothly or fails to start. If such is the case, pull down your manual and check it before using any troubleshooting tips.
Generally, snowblowers have filters, valves, gas tanks, carburetors, fuel lines, and switches. Check them out thoroughly before fidgeting with the machine. If it still does not start, check out the tips below.
Ensure The Position of Switches and Valves
The most common problem for starting a snowblower lies in the position of switches. Hence, ensure that all swaps, buttons, and valves are in an accurate layout. Keep the throttle on ‘high’; the fuel shutoff valve on ‘open’; the choke on ‘full’; and the run switch turned up. Set them as per the specifications set by the manufacturer or, the snowblower will not start.
Get Rid of The Old Gas
If left as it is, a snowblower’s gas forms a gummy residue that makes it difficult to start the machine. Hence, with the help of a siphon, dispose of the old gas. Fill with fresh gas and begin anew.
Use a Fuel Stabilizer
If too much gas residue is present, refilling afresh will not serve any good. It will still clog the carburetor and, the machine won’t start. Hence, use a fuel stabilizer to liquefy residue. Fuel stabilizers have a rate mentioned and pour it into the gas tank to initiate the machine. Keep cranking and pulling the starter cord to allow the stabilizer to function in the carburetor. If the problem persists, permit some two or three hours to help dissolve the residue.
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Prime The Engine
The warmer the weather, the easier it becomes to start the engine. Thus, in cold weather, the engine needs a lot of fuel. Prime the engine and press the small rubber or silicone bulb called a primer bulb three to five times. Hence, a small amount of material will force through into the carburetor, and it will ignite. Moreover, try to start the blower too. Since it was idle for months, it will take some energy to initiate.
Restore The Spark Plugs
For your Snotek snowblower to function well, you need fresh fuel, engine compression, and a spark to ignite the energy. This spark requires proper spark plugs and, if they are dirty, the force won’t ignite. Clean or replace the spark plugs if you experience a problem while starting the machine.
The threaded ends of spark plugs contain electrodes, and they get filled with carbon deposits over time. Clean them using a wire brush and restore them. However, if the snowblower does not start after the cleaning, ensure that cracks are absent on the porcelain sleeves. If there are cracks, there is no option but to replace them.
Fuel-Line Damage
Over the period and with continuous use, the flexible fuel line hardens. It may crack owing to fuel leakages from either the cracks or connections. This damage will not allow the snowblower to start and requires replacement.
Carburetor Cleanup
A clogged carburetor might be the reason for startup issues. A carburetor combines air and fuel to ease combustion and, if blocked, does not facilitate the ignition. Hence, clean the carburetor profusely after removing the air filter and its cover. You can even use a carburetor cleaner that cleans settled residue on the air valve effectively. After the cleanup, replace the air filter and start the snowblower.
- contains 100% high-energy solvent technology
- helps keep injectors, carburetors, intake ports, and valves clean
- quickly dissolves gum, varnish, and other fuel residues
- disperses moisture in conventional gasoline
- catalytic converter and o2-sensor safe
Damage to the Flywheel Key
The flywheel is a small metal piece that fits in the crankshaft. There is a sudden halt to the snowblower if the flywheel key hits a hard object in some accidental cases. It thus breaks in half. Just as the circuit breaks up during high voltage to prevent damage to the appliance, the flywheel key breaks to avert damage to the engine. Hence, remove the flywheel key and inspect it properly to repair or replace it.
Check The Ignition Coil
Check out the ignition coil for defects with an ignition coil tester if the spark plugs are fine. During defects, replace the wire for easy starting of the Snotek snowblower.
Have a Proper Recoil Starter?
Recoil springs turn around a starter rope and a pulley. In some cases, if the spring breaks, the wire does not function normally and, the snowblower does not start. Hence, it requires replacement. Either replace individual springs or replace the whole assembly to ensure smooth running in the long run.
Put The Right Fuel
A snowblower can either have a two-cycle motor or a four-cycle motor. For a four-cycle one, you fill in gas. However, for a two-cycle, you will need the correct proportions of oil and gas. If this quantity messes up a little, the engine does not start.
To troubleshoot, get a minimum of 87 octane gas with not more than 10% ethanol. Moreover, make sure that the fuel is fresh and drain out the stale one with a siphon. Though with a lot of caution, one should add starter fluid to ease out the process.
Conclusion
Many times, snowblowers fail to start and, it is not something of the biggest concern. This problem is common and gets solved by inexpensive methods frequently. However, regular maintenance of gas engines is necessary as they may cause issues.
Remember that cold machines create a fuss to start after a long break and keep trying with all switches connected properly in proper layout. Clean the carburetor, fuel line, and filter, and the snowblower will start in no time.
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