Snowblower Repair Information

Change the Gasoline

• If you’re engine will not start, first check the gasoline. According to Briggs & Stratton, a company that produces air-cooled gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, most snowblowers no-start problems are caused by using summer fuel during the winter season. Similarly, if you left gasoline in your snowblower from the end of last winter, your snowblower will probably not function properly. To fix this problem, purchase fresh gasoline from your local gas station. Then, fill your snowblower fuel tank with the correct winter fuel. If you still have old gasoline left in the tank, you can remove it by opening the drain valve on your snowblower.

Check the Spark Plug

• If you changed the gasoline and your snowblower is still not working properly, check the spark plug. Buy a spark tester from an automotive store. Or, if you are more familiar with your machinery, you can test it yourself by removing the plug and grounding the “hex” part of the spark plug to a bar metal part of the engine, according to Michael P. King, the director of sales and marketing for THDRepair, an equipment repair specialist company. Then, try starting the engine again. You should see a blue spark jump across the plug gap, according to King. If you do not see a spark, replace the plug with an exact equivalent component, and your machine should begin to function again properly.

Other Problems

• Oil deficiencies may also cause your snowblower not to work properly. You can check the oil on your snowblower the same way you would on your car. The dip stick should show the oil level as “full.” If not, refer to your machine’s manual to find out the type of oil it requires. Then, purchase the correct oil for your snowblower.

  In addition, excess dirt buildup can cause engine problems to your snowblower. Check your air filter, and replace it if you notice excessive dirt on it.

  If your snowblower is still not working after checking all of these components, you may have a more serious malfunction. In this case, it is best to contact a professional for additional help.