WATCH VIDEO: How to Fix: Snow Blower Difficult Starting

Check your snow blower and look out for bad gas!
Fall is the time to pull the snow blower out of storage and give it some attention to avoid frustration during cold winter. Start off by doing a general inspection of your snow blower and look for any visible signs of damage that may have been caused while in storage. Check engine oil and change if needed (should be done annually)

 

Common problem after long period of storage is the engine not starting due to bad gas. Gasoline that is more than about one month old loses its proper combustion properties. This means that it loses its 'spark' and thus causes engine starting problems. It can block the fuel system as it turns in to varnish.

One way to avoid this problem is to mix fuel stabilizer with the gas and run the engine. This must be done BEFORE storage. However, in the fall you should still start the engine just to see the gas was treated properly and it will start easy. Because if it doesn't start now, it most likely won't start in the winter!

If you had forgotten to treat the gas before storage (most people do) then you will likely have trouble starting the engine or it will not run very smooth. Simple step you can take is to drain all the old gas out of the tank, put in some fresh gas, and try starting the engine. If you still have trouble starting, then the carburetor is probably gummed-up and would have to be flushed and cleaned.

Useful snow blower preparation tips:
Replace spark plug
Check Tire pressure and look for slow leak
Check auger shear pins and always keep spares
Check the belts for wear and cracks
Lubricate all moving parts