Snow blower repair: only important and necessary tips for the user
It's the middle of winter and your snow blower is broken? Not moving forward? Auger not rotating? Wheels don't spin? Problems with the gearbox, carburetor or engine? Next, you will learn why and why a snow blower does not work, the main reasons for a snow blower to break down, and how to repair a snow blower.
Let's start right away with the useful stuff - below is a table with the main malfunctions of a snow blower and their causes. Afterwards we will analyze several of them - the most common breakdowns of a snow blower, and also tell you how to disassemble it and fix them. Table of faults and causes:
| Problem | What reason |
| The device does not start |
|
| The engine is unstable |
|
| Lots of black exhaust fumes |
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| The machine vibrates a lot during operation |
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| Self-propelled models do not move forward |
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| Snow does not fly out of the drainage pipe |
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| The starter cord is missing |
|
The most common breakdowns in a snow blower and how to fix them
Snow blower won't start.The most popular and banal reason is there is no gasoline. Check again that there is liquid in the tank and that it is definitely gasoline. The fuel should not remain in the tank for a long time; it can remain in it for up to three months. If the downtime is longer, then the properties of the liquid deteriorate and it gradually evaporates. To make sure the problem is not fuel, empty the gas tank and refill with the correct one.
Also, the car may not start due to the oil sensor. It may indicate that the oil level is too low. Check the oil level with the built-in dipstick. If there really isn't enough oil, just add it. The sensor may also be broken. To test this, unplug it and try starting the snow blower. If it doesn’t work with it, but everything is fine without it, then replace the oil sensor.
Also, the reason why the car does not work may be a problem with the starter. If it does not respond when you try to start the engine, then first make sure that the battery is charged. It often discharges in sub-zero temperatures or low temperatures with high humidity. But once you charge it and warm it up, it will work normally. If not, then most likely the starter is broken. To check this, you need to remove the pre-installed starter and try to start the mechanism with a recoil starter. Has the snow blower started? Then you will have to repair or replace the starter itself. The second problem due to which the starter does not work can be the oil - when it is left in the cold for a long time, it begins to thicken. With thick oil, the starter cannot work normally (the crankshaft does not rotate), and the engine does not start. This often happens if a snowblower is left outside in the cold.Take the device into the garage or other warmer place, leave it to warm up for a few hours and try to start it again.
Do not warm up the car engine with a torch/blowtorch under any circumstances! You yourself understand that this can lead to an explosion. However, some garage experts believe that it will be faster. Don't try that.
If you have tried everything described above, but the snow blower still does not start, then the problem may be in the ignition system. To do this, disassemble the engine housing and remove the spark plugs from it. Their electrodes must be clean and free of carbon deposits. Wipe them down, inspect them for damage, and put them back in place. After this, try starting the engine using a recoil starter. When everything is working correctly, a small spark appears for a split second. Wasn't it between the electrodes? Then the spark plug is faulty and needs to be replaced.
The spark plug is working properly, there is no carbon deposits, a spark appears, but the snow blower still does not start? Then try adjusting other elements of the ignition system:
- Unscrew the bolts and remove the engine cover, find the ignition module.
- Next you need to unscrew the screws holding the magneto.
- Now you will need a metal plate or sheet of paper folded several times (choose the number of times based on your situation, the standard number is 4). Place it under the module. Insert and tighten the screws back.
- Check how the snow blower works.
These were the main reasons why a household snow blower does not work.The problem may also be in the carburetor (disassemble the structure by unscrewing the bolts, screws and nut to hold the fuel, drain the fuel first, wipe the inside of the carburetor, wash the components, replace damaged ones), filters, valves, belt/cable (tighten it tighter or, if they broke, replace), something got stuck in the auger, the drive broke, bolts were cut off, etc.
