Yes, you can get a snowblower to start with a few simple checks. Learning how to get a snowblower to start is often about fuel, spark, and air.
Nothing is worse than a big storm coming and a machine that won’t turn over. You pull the cord and get nothing but a sputter. I’ve been there many times myself.
I’ve fixed dozens of stubborn snowblowers over the years. Most problems are easy to solve if you know where to look. You don’t need to be a mechanic.
This guide will walk you through the common fixes. We’ll start with the simple stuff and work our way deeper. Let’s get your machine running.
How to Get a Snowblower to Start: The First Steps
Always start with the easiest things first. This saves you a lot of time and hassle.
First, check if there’s fuel in the tank. It sounds silly, but it’s the most common reason a machine won’t start. An empty tank is an easy fix.
Next, make sure the fuel valve is in the ‘On’ position. This little lever controls gas flow to the engine. If it’s off, the engine gets no fuel.
Is the choke set correctly? For a cold start, the choke should be on. This gives the engine a richer fuel mix to get going.
Finally, check the ignition key or switch. Some models have a removable key for safety. Make sure it’s fully inserted and turned to ‘Run’.
These four checks solve about half of all no-start problems. They take two minutes and cost nothing. This is the first step in how to get a snowblower to start.
Check the Fuel System for Problems
Old gas is the enemy of small engines. Fuel goes bad faster than you think.
Gasoline starts to break down after about 30 days. It forms a sticky gum that clogs the tiny passages in your carburetor. This is a big reason your snowblower won’t start.
Smell the fuel in the tank. If it smells sour or like varnish, it’s bad. You need to drain the old gas and put in fresh fuel.
Use a fuel stabilizer if you store your machine. I add it to every gas can I own. It keeps the gas fresh for months.
Check the fuel line for cracks or blockages. A cracked line can let in air and stop fuel flow. A simple visual check can find this.
Don’t forget the fuel filter. It’s a small screen inside the fuel line. A clogged filter will starve the engine of gas.
Knowing how to get a snowblower to start means understanding its fuel needs. Fresh gas is non-negotiable for a reliable start.
Spark Plug Inspection and Replacement
A bad spark plug is another common culprit. It’s a cheap and easy part to check.
First, locate the spark plug on your engine. It’s usually on the side with a thick wire attached. Use a socket wrench to remove it carefully.
Look at the electrode end of the plug. Is it covered in black, oily soot? That means it’s fouled and won’t spark well.
The electrode should have a small gap. Check your owner’s manual for the right gap size. You can use a feeler gauge to measure it.
You can clean a slightly dirty plug with a wire brush. But for a few dollars, just replace it. A new plug gives you a strong, reliable spark.
When you put the new plug in, don’t overtighten it. Hand-tight plus a quarter turn with the wrench is enough. A cracked plug housing means a new engine head.
Testing the spark is a good idea. Reconnect the wire and ground the plug against the engine. Pull the starter cord and look for a bright blue spark.
This is a key part of how to get a snowblower to start. A strong spark ignites the fuel mixture every time.
Cleaning the Carburetor for Better Flow
The carburetor mixes air and fuel for the engine. A dirty carb is a major cause of starting issues.
Old gas leaves behind a sticky residue. This gunk clogs the small jets and passages inside the carb. Fuel can’t get through to the engine.
You can often clean a carburetor without taking it fully apart. Use a carburetor cleaner spray from any auto parts store. Spray it into the air intake while trying to start the engine.
For a deeper clean, you might need to remove the carb bowl. This is the small cup on the bottom. You’ll see the main jet inside that might be clogged.
Use a thin wire or a specialized jet cleaning tool to clear the blockage. Be very gentle. You don’t want to enlarge the hole and mess up the fuel mix.
Reassemble everything and try starting again. A clean carburetor makes learning how to get a snowblower to start much easier. The engine gets the right fuel mix it needs.
According to Consumer Reports, proper maintenance of small engine parts prevents most starting problems. A clean carb is vital.
Checking and Changing the Engine Oil
Low or dirty oil can prevent an engine from starting. Many engines have a safety switch for this.
First, check the oil level with the dipstick. Wipe it clean, insert it fully, then pull it out to check. The oil should be between the two marks.
If the oil is low, top it up with the type recommended in your manual. Usually, it’s SAE 30 or 5W-30 for colder climates. Don’t overfill it.
Look at the oil’s color and consistency. Fresh oil is amber and clear. Old oil is black and sludgy.
Dirty oil doesn’t lubricate well. It causes extra friction and makes the engine hard to turn over. Change it if it looks bad.
To change the oil, warm up the engine first if you can. This helps the dirty oil drain out completely. Then, place a pan under the drain plug.
Remove the drain plug and let all the oil flow out. Replace the plug and fill with fresh oil to the proper level. Dispose of the old oil at a recycling center.
Proper oil level is part of how to get a snowblower to start reliably. It keeps the engine’s internal parts moving smoothly.
Air Filter Maintenance for Good Combustion
An engine needs clean air to mix with fuel. A clogged air filter chokes the engine.
Locate the air filter box on your snowblower. It’s usually a plastic case near the carburetor. The cover is held on by clips or screws.
Open the box and remove the filter. Is it covered in dirt, dust, or grass clippings? A dirty filter blocks the airflow the engine needs to run.
You can clean a foam filter with warm, soapy water. Rinse it well and let it dry completely before putting it back. Never put a wet filter in the engine.
Paper filters can’t be cleaned. You need to replace them. They are inexpensive and available at most hardware stores.
Make sure the filter seals properly in the box when you reinstall it. Any gaps let unfiltered dirt into the engine. That causes wear and tear over time.
A clean air filter is a simple fix in the process of how to get a snowblower to start. It ensures the engine can breathe easily.
The Environmental Protection Agency notes that a clean air filter helps small engines run more efficiently. It also reduces harmful emissions.
Dealing with a Flooded Engine
Sometimes you try too hard to start it. You pull the cord over and over and flood the engine with gas.
You can smell when an engine is flooded. There’s a strong odor of raw gasoline coming from the exhaust or carburetor. The spark plug is too wet to fire.
The fix is simple. Move the choke lever to the ‘Off’ position. Also, move the throttle to the ‘Fast’ setting if your machine has one.
Now, pull the starter cord slowly about ten times. This pulls air through the engine and helps dry out the wet spark plug. You’re clearing the excess fuel.
After that, return the choke to ‘On’ and try starting normally. It should fire up. If it doesn’t, you might need to remove and dry the spark plug.
To prevent flooding, don’t pump the primer bulb more than three times. Follow the starting procedure in your manual exactly. Patience is better than pulling the cord frantically.
Knowing how to get a snowblower to start includes knowing when to stop. If it doesn’t start after five pulls, pause and diagnose.
Starter Rope and Recoil System Issues
The physical starter system can fail. The rope might be broken or the recoil spring might be jammed.
Inspect the starter rope for fraying or breaks. A broken rope obviously won’t turn the engine over. Replacement ropes are cheap and easy to install.
Sometimes the rope pulls out but doesn’t retract. This means the recoil spring inside the housing is broken or has come unhooked. This repair is a bit more involved.
You’ll need to remove the starter assembly from the engine. Be very careful with the spring inside. It’s under tension and can fly out and cause injury.
Wear safety glasses and work in a clear area. Follow a tutorial for your specific model. Often, you just need to rewind the spring and re-engage it.
While you have it apart, clean any dirt or old grease from the mechanism. A little fresh grease on the moving parts helps it work smoothly.
A functioning starter is the first step in the physical process of how to get a snowblower to start. You need it to turn the engine over.
Using Starting Fluid as a Last Resort
Starting fluid is a powerful helper for stubborn engines. Use it carefully and as a diagnostic tool.
Starting fluid is highly flammable ether. It ignites very easily, even with a weak spark. This can help you figure out if your problem is fuel or spark.
Remove the air filter to expose the carburetor’s air intake. Give a one-second spray of fluid directly into the intake. Quickly replace the air filter.
Now try to start the engine normally. If it fires up for a second and then dies, you have a fuel delivery problem. The carburetor or fuel line is likely clogged.
If it doesn’t fire at all with starting fluid, you likely have a spark or compression issue. Check your spark plug and wire first.
Never use starting fluid repeatedly. It’s harsh on engine components. It’s a test, not a regular starting method.
This trick can be part of how to get a snowblower to start when you’re stuck. It points you toward the real problem so you can fix it for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the first thing I should check when my snowblower won’t start?
Always check for fresh gas first. Old, bad fuel is the number one reason for starting trouble. Then check the spark plug, air filter, and oil level.
How do I get a snowblower to start after summer storage?
Drain any old gas from the tank and carburetor. Put in fresh fuel with a stabilizer. Check the oil and change it if it’s dirty. Clean or replace the air filter and spark plug.
Why does my snowblower start but then immediately die?
This usually means a fuel flow problem. The carburetor jets might be partially clogged. The engine uses the fuel in the carb bowl to start, then dies when it can’t get more from the tank.
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