What could be wrong if your snowblower will not start?

Troubleshooting a Snowblower

Check the gasoline for proper season.

Gasoline is blended for the season in which it is intended to be used. This means that gasoline differs from season to season. If the engine is to be used in the summer, the gasoline should be purchased in the summer.

Winter fuel is much more volatile because the colder ambient temperature creates difficulty in changing the liquid into a vapor. Since the engine runs only on gasoline vapor, summer gasoline may not vaporize enough to allow an engine to start. Most snow blower no-start conditions are caused by using summer fuel in a winter use application.

Purchase some fresh gasoline from the local retailer and fill the fuel tank with this correct blend for cold weather use.

Check Fuel Supply to Combustion Chamber

Most common no-start conditions are caused by dirty or stale fuel in the system. To check the fuel supply to the combustion chamber, attempt to start the engine using the normal choke or primer procedure.

After 3-5 pulls of the rope, remove the spark plug and examine it for signs of liquid gasoline. If the end of the spark plug is wet, the combustion chamber is getting fuel. Let the unit sit for 2-3 hours with the spark plug removed to allow the gasoline liquid to evaporate from the combustion chamber and try to start the engine again without using the choke or primer. If all fuel system and other engine systems are good, the engine will clear itself and start after 2-3 pulls of the rope.

If the end of the spark plug is dry, the fuel system may be blocked with gum or varnish from the old stale fuel. The unit should be taken to an authorized Briggs & Stratton dealer for repair.

Testing for Fouled Spark Plug

If a fouled spark plug is suspected, remove the high tension ignition lead and place 3" away from any metal component.

Remove the spark plug and examine for deposits in or around the electrode area.

If any fouling is found, replace the spark plug with an exact equivalent component.

Testing for Primer Malfunction

To test the primer for performance, remove the air cleaner assembly on the engine (if so equipped).

Examine the throat of the carburetor while depressing the primer bulb. If the primer is working correctly, you should see a small stream of gasoline injected into the carburetor.

If the primer system is malfunctioning, there will be no or very little gasoline entering into the carburetor throat.

If the primer system appears to be malfunctioning, take the unit to the nearest dealer.

Throttle/Choke Cable Out of Adjustment

Place the throttle cable control in the choke position. Remove the air cleaner element (if so equipped) and examine the choke plate position.

If the choke plate is not completely closed, adjustment is indicated. If the choke plate is completely closed, operate the throttle cable control while watching the choke plate motion.

The choke plate should open when the throttle cable control is moved from choke to the run position. If this does not occur, or is incomplete, an adjustment may be in order.

Will it start on a prime ? if so, fuel would be the problem. Since the equipment is stored more than used, thats always a problem....solution....always use fuel stabilizers in all your lawn & garden equipment...always.....

First answer by ID1165826719. Last edit by Nicolashome. Contributor trust: 140 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 66 [recommend question]