Problems With a 9 HP Sears Snowblower

Engine

• With all of the mechanical parts involved in the engine, many problems may occur. The spark plug under the black hose on the side of the motor may crack or break, which causes the mower to not start. If the oil filter clogs, the engine will overheat as it is not receiving enough oil to lubricate and cool it down. Make sure that there is at least 36-ounces of oil inside the engine because anything under that will cause overheating as well.

Tires

• Running over something sharp in the driveway will puncture the tire. You must keep any eye out for where you are driving, to avoid this problem. Also, the tires must be inflated to the correct 30 psi. If they are not, then the snowblower will be unstable, which may cause it to tip over.

Auger

• The auger blades must be kept open to prevent clogs. Even thick pieces of ice will clog the blades. Any clogs will eventually crack the blades and cause the engine to become overstressed, which will cause overheating problems, regardless of how much oil is inside the machine. Never stick your hands into the blades, especially if they are spinning. Use the black plastic removal tool that rests on top of the machine to remove clogs.

Chute

• The chute may become clogged or dented. Look for any sort of dry dirt, mud, rocks or ice inside the chute. The chute's hole should be obstruction-free because even the slightest amount of debris will cause the snow to back up, which will break the auger blades and dent the machine's frame. Check for any dents inside the chute. If any, they will cause the chute to not blow snow into the air at the angle you want. Most dents are fixable by banging the dent back into shape with a rubber mallet.

Controls

• The handlebar controls dictate the speed of the blades among other things. These cables connect into the engine, which means they must be meticulously cared for. If they are not, they may become disconnected. Before turning the machine on, inspect each cable and make sure they are screwed into the engine. Wiggle any wire that looks loose. Tighten the loose ones with a Phillips-head screwdriver until they no longer wiggle. If any of the wires have their internal cable visible, they should be replaced, as they could break at anytime.