How to Start a Balky Snow Blower

When cold weather and snow are coming--hopefully, before the first snowfall--you'll take the opportunity to make sure your snow blower will start. Snow blowers aren't complicated machines--but spending more than half the year sitting around and not running--can sometimes make them a bit of a pain to get started in the fall. If your snow blower won't start after a few pulls--here are some tips on how to get your balky snow blower running.

Things You'll Need

• Spark plug wrench
• Fresh gasoline
• Fuel stabilizer
• Sandpaper or piece of cardboard
• Pliers
• Power drill with pump attachment

Instructions

1. Start with the obvious. Be sure the key is in the ignition (kids might have moved it) and check that the throttle and choke are set properly. The throttle needs to be set to "fast" and the choke needs to be open since the engine is cold. As well, some machines need to be primed before they will start, so use the primer button before trying to start the engine.

2. Check that gas is getting to the motor. Pull the starter cord and turn the engine over a few times, then use your spark plug wrench to remove the spark plug. If the plug is wet and smells of gas, the engine is getting fuel.

3. Make sure the plug is actually working by reattaching the spark plug to the plug wire, then while holding the plug with insulating pliers, turn the engine over and look for a spark. If the spark plug is working and it was wet with gas, the problem is likely with the gasoline itself.

4. Clean the spark plug while you have it out of the engine. Use a piece of sandpaper to remove any builtup carbon on the plug and run a piece of cardboard through the spark plug gap to remove any build up of carbon that might be there. Alternatively, you could simply take the old spark plug with you to an automotive store and get a new one.

5. Empty the old fuel out of the tank by opening the drain on the bottom of the tank or pumping it out with a power drill pump attachment. Once the tank is empty, refill it with fresh, new gas. Now turn the engine over a few times and hopefully it will start.

6. If your engine still won't start after cleaning the plug and adding fresh gas, it may be time to have your snow blower professionally serviced. The solution may involve removing and cleaning the carburetor, or your engine may have timing or compression problems that are beyond most DIYers' skill sets.

Tips & Warnings

• Proper maintenance in the spring will eliminate many snow blower starting problems. Either add fuel stabilizer to the fuel left in the tank in the spring or drain the gas tank to eliminate the chance of the carburetor getting gummed up during the summer.

• Adding an ounce of methyl hydrate to the gas tank when you fill it up will ensure that you don't need to worry about water in your fuel. (Gas line antifreeze is methyl hydrate.) Methyl hydrate is available at home, hardware and paint stores

• The old gas you take from your snow blower can be put into your car or truck's gas tank.

• When checking the spark plug, be sure to hold it with insulating pliers or you could get a severe shock.

• When replacing the spark plug, be sure to get an exact match. All spark plugs aren't the same and installing the wrong plug could damage your engine.