Snowblower Troubleshooting Engine Won’t Start Repairs in Denver Metro

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Hi, this is Wayne from Sears PartsDirect. Today, we’re going to talk about troubleshooting a snowblower. If your snowblower isn’t starting, there are a few things you can do to get it back into good working order.

For an engine to start, you need fresh clean fuel, a spark, and the right amount of compression in the engine. First, let’s talk about fuel. Use extreme care when handling gasoline and work in a well-ventilated area free of open flames or sparks. Fresh clean fuel is a must.

Old gas absorbs moisture when it sits for a long time in your gas tank or in your gas can. Drain the fuel tank and fill it back up with fresh fuel if the gas is more than six months old. You can also use a fuel stabilizer to help keep your gas fresh.

Dirty gas can clog the fuel filter in your tank, so you’ll also want to take a look and replace it if it’s old or clogged. Most owner’s manuals recommend changing the fuel filter at the start of every season. There’s a video that will show you how to change your fuel filter.

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While you’re replacing the fuel filter, it’s a good idea to disconnect the fuel line from the carburetor and the fuel filter and inspect it for damage. Take a look at the fuel line and make sure there are no cracks and it’s still flexible and soft. Replace the fuel line if it’s cracked or broken. There’s a video showing you how.

Next, let’s talk about engine spark. The spark plug is the ignition source for the fuel in the engine. Spark plugs should also be replaced once a season. If you know your spark plug is from last year, you’re probably going to want to replace it. There’s a video to show you how to replace and set the gap on a spark plug.

If you know your spark plug is good and your engine still won’t start, then you’re going to need to check the ignition system. Pull the spark plug wire off the spark plug and connect it to a spark plug tester. Connect the spark plug tester wire to the spark plug with the start key in the switch.

Pull the starter rope and check for a spark in the spark plug tester. If the ignition system produces a spark through the tester, then you can move on to checking compression.

If you don’t see a spark through the tester, then a defective stop switch in the ignition system could be preventing your plug from sparking. Let’s check the stop switch using a multimeter.

Remove the tester but leave the spark plug wire disconnected. Remove the belt cover, then remove the two bolts securing the gearwatch bracket and move it aside to access the muffler cover bolts. Remove all six bolts and pull the cover off. Then, remove the wires from the stop switch.

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Set your meter to measure continuity and place the meter probes on the stop switch leads. You should measure no continuity through the stop switch with the start key inserted. If you measure continuity through the stop switch with a key inserted, replace the stop switch. This video will show you how.

If the stop switch is okay, you’re going to want to have a service technician check the position of the ignition coil and adjust the air gap if necessary. The ignition coil may need to be replaced if the air gap is correct.

Now, let’s move on to checking engine compression. After you get everything put back together, remove the spark plug from the cylinder. Pull the starter rope several times to purge any fuel or oil from the cylinder.

Make sure the compression meter reads zero, and if it doesn’t, release the pressure inside the meter and saw the compression gauge in the spark plug hole. Pull the starter rope repeatedly until the needle on the gauge stops rising. You should measure between 40 and 60 psi of compression.

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If your pressure is out of that range, you may need to adjust the valve lash. This video will show you how. If the valve lash adjustment doesn’t solve your problem, you could have a stuck valve or several other engine issues. Have a service technician check that out.

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