My snowblower won't start. Help!

[David Monto]

Had 12" of snow today. Went to start my snowblower and it would not start!!!!



Sprayed starting fluid and it still would not fire. Removed spark plug & sprayed starting fluid into plug hole, replaced plug and it would start until the starting fluid burned off.



I decided maybe gas was bad. Started to drain tank and there must have been about a dozen ants came out with the gas!!!



Now I have to figure out how to clean out fuel system. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to effectively clean out a snowblower carb?



Thanks



:wub:

 

[Chris Joyce]

Get some raid!!! For real, put new gas in the snowblower, replace any hoses and run the snowblower. The ant will burn off. Also clean the fuel filter.

 

[Chris Joyce]

Go to the local pet store and by an african anteater!!!

 

[Kerry Matthews]

I second the 'starting the thing every month' quote! I fire up my Honda once a month over the summer months, mainly to burn off the fuel in the carb. I engage the tiller and make sure everything's AOK before I need it. Besides, it's a heck of a lot easier getting it fixed in the 'off season'! Good luck with the ant problem!

 

[Kevin Palmer]

As noted above you simply have to get gas through the system. However, in your case I am betting the float, needle and seat as well as the bowl should be cleaned out. Once you have it apart use some carb cleaner and get it pretty clean.



Once you do that put some decent gas in it and crank until your arm hurts. Right about then it should start.



If you do not want to start it every month or so do one of two things. Fog the engine and put fuel stabilizer in it for summer storage or simply run it out of gas. The latter is easier but sometimes allows gaskets to dry out making them defective for the winter use...

 

[Kerry Matthews]

Kevin,



Whatchutalkin'bout cranking until your arm hurts??? You don't have an electric start?

Just plug it in and push the button!!!

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[Chops]

What brand and size of engine?



If you have never taken a bowl type carb apart before, and you need this running like right now, it's probably not a good time. Gas varnish will gum up a lot of passages the size of a needle, and you have to disassemble completely and soak in a solvent. Even then there are a couple passages that can only be cleaned by popping off pressed in plugs, and replacing with like.



I just rebuilt both my Honda generator carbs, and found a good place in TX to order parts if you need.



Oh yea, Stabil in the gas is a must for storage. Hondas also have a bowl drain screw for long term storage.



**And I guess you don't want to hear that it was 83 here today...down side is I had to turn my AC back on

 

[John Salov]

good way to learn now, small engine repair guys have ripped me off so much. just learn as u go pretty much.

i had a website but i dont think i have it. also i learned in my autoshop class in high school, there is a little hole, maybe the jet that some one was referring to, if thats clogged then the engine wont work.

also, dont want to be an a-hole, but u might want to store your engines properly, like run the engine till theres no gas left, then crank some more. then spray some wd 40 in the combustion chamber. thats what i do and nothing has broken.

just the guy at the repair shop, i bought a push leaf blower, thought i spend about 40 bucks, dude charges me 200.

 

[Gypsy me]

Dave,



I agree with Scott and Coastie,

At the small engine shop, where I worked, we used solvent or carb cleaner spray. then air blow it out. Put in new diaphram/needle and seat. *of course depends on your carberator*

If the tank as varnished...might want to let it soak a few hours in solvent or carb cleaner spray. Rinse it good and air blow it out *just quicker* and yes you may want to replace the fuel line, however, you can also clean them just don't let it set over night in solvent or carb cleaner spray, could weaken the rubber/plastic.



As Chops ask:

What engine and size do you have?



Helpful hints

And at the end of winter/ beginning of spring.... empty that gas tank let it air dry, clean the filter with solvet or wash really well with dawn or dish soap and thoroughly rinse with water and let air dry then put a dab of oil on it, clean off the engine and base and put a cover over it you'll be glad you did next winter



Johnnie, I know what you are saying, can't tell ya how many customer's came to the shop I worked for because other shops around were ripping them off! I had a great boss very ethical and likewise as were his workers.



Krash :lol::lol:

 

[John Salov]

he wasnt very good, i heard he smoked pot on the job.

my bro in law used to use his till another shop opened in town. the old guy used to take forever and screw him over too. like he was part owner in a wood chipper and the other owener told the guy to tell my bro in law something happened.

the new guy is all professional and does everything so quick.

also speakn, i hope by spring i can buy a used like 40 in deck walk behind professional lawn mower.

 

[David Monto]

Thanks for all the tips guys.



It is an MTD blower purchased last year at Lowes. 5HP Tecumseh engine.



I did run it dry last Spring and it is stored in a shed.



I just can't figure out how the ants got in there!!!!



:wacko:

 

[Gypsy me]

Tecumseh engine. From what I can remember you should'nt have to adjust the carb much on those.... just make sure the needle and seat are in just right. but if it has an adjustment screw, try the standared to the left all the way but not tight....and try 2 1/2 turns back...if no start on the 2 or 3rd pulls, go another 1/2 with each 2-3 pulls. until it starts. It's been a while but I think that's how it goes.



Ants are funny little creatures...they get "EVERYWhere"

 

[Thomas Rogers]

My 3 yo Craftsman (cheapo) is still working great (this was taken yesterday, and yes, that's me):



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[Wes Davis]

I like the graphics Q. What other mods have you done? LOL

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

Dave, removing the carb and cleaning it is no real biggy. If you ran it dry last years then I suspect that varnish is not your problem. These carbs are easy to work on. If you decide to take it apart carefully check for cleaner to flush out the small passages. Make sure that the needle and seat are working properly. I use a neoprene hose to checkout the gas input by slightly blowing through it while it is attached to the carb inlet. If you have a compressor, blow through the carb passages to dislodge any ants. Good luck....

 

[Keith McElroy]

I just replaced my 26 year old Lawn Boy snowblower this past spring. It ran great (once you got it pull started), but the design caused melted snow on the top of the machine to be funneled down by the carb. Bad design, but I ended up replacing it with a Toro (the company that bought lawn boy) because of the last one's longevity.

 

[Deleted deleted]

Got a question.... what is a snowblower?

 

[Tom Schindler]

Our Snowblower is so old, when we wanted to get an electric start on it, it was too old.





Tom

 

[Gypsy me]

:lol: Darin, I top have vague memory of snowblowers. Hey! TJR, nice to see ya, looks cold there! :lol:

 

[Larry Gamble]

I use White Gas in mind. It's very stable and won't gum up like auto gas. When I park mine for the summer, it gets filled up with White Gas and come fall tune up time; it starts with two pulls. I've got electric start but have never used it.