A snow blower is a machine that compresses and loosens the already-formed snow in its path before it is pushed into a truck or thrown into a pile for later use. They come in different shapes and sizes and work in all seasons, including rain and melted snow. Most run on gas and oil engines and can clean up to 18,000 square feet per hour.
Working of Snow Blower
A snow blower is powered by an engine, sometimes driven by an electric motor. The engine moves the drill through the snow, loosened and compressed by gears before pushing it into a truck or thrown into a pile for later use. The drills are usually made of steel and include rubber blades on top of steel blades to help with traction. The fuel for this machine is usually gasoline mixed with oil through a centrifugal pump. Some newer models use ethanol-free gas that does not require oil mixing.
Reasons Why My Snow Blower Is Not Starting
Missing or Defective Spark Plugs
A misfiring engine may result from a faulty fuel system where the mixture ratio is adjusted improperly, resulting in too much fuel being added to the gas tank, which will cause the engine to run hotter than usual and eventually fail.
Presence of Moisture
The presence of moisture (such as rain or dew) or excessive dirt in the carburetor or oil could also contribute to electrical problems. Running wet batteries is also not good for them; if they are running wet, they will corrode faster, causing them to fail more quickly. Corroded batteries are also more likely to leak. The amount of moisture or dirt in the fuel mixing system should be kept to a minimum.
Low Fuel Level
The engine’s fuel level should always be maintained at 90% or higher. This helps prevent adding gas when it is not needed, which will cause the engine to run too lean and could lead to damage. If the fuel is running low, this can cause rough idle and decrease performance, but it will not stop the engine from running unless it burns out all its spark plugs. If this position is reached, plugging it in could cause damage if an air pocket forms around the plugs causing them to break free during the ignition process. If the problem is severe, it could be caused by several other issues that are causing the engine to run too lean or run while it appears to be hard starting. These can include faulty ignition systems, spark plugs, fuel filters, pressure regulators, and carburetor cleaning or adjustment.
Engine Overheating
The carburetor and combustion chamber temperatures are too hot when the engine is working at full power. High temperatures can cause many problems, including broken valves and pistons, leading to loud noises, possible piston ring failure, and rubber gaskets melting(plastic gaskets), which can cause spark plugs to burn out more quickly than usual. Also, oil can become thinner at high temperatures and less effective at lubricating things, reducing engine power. The engine may also overheat when it is cold, but this usually occurs in the coldest climates when it is snowing or if the blades are too low to clear the snow.
Engine Valve or Rocker Arm Problems
If the intake or exhaust valves are worn, the head gasket may fail. This could be caused by overheating in extreme cold weather conditions when no fan-equipped heaters are in operation. If the air intake is faulty, this will cause a lack of fuel flow into the engine. It could also be caused by a defective fuel valve that fails to open because of this problem. The engine may also overheat when it is cold. This can be caused by a faulty valve spring, faulty intake gasket, or intake manifold, which allows too much air to enter the engine and causes it to run hot.
Low Oil Quality or Oil Pressure
The oil pressure should always be maintained at 40 to 70 psi. It should never be less than 40 psi and should never exceed 70 psi. Low oil pressure could cause the following:
The engine runs too hot and does not produce enough power.
An engine that does not often start when cold.
Difficulty starting when warm weather arrives.
The difficulty is starting in cold weather when the engine already has enough fuel pressure for regular running.
Brake or Brake Pad Problems
The brake fluid should be changed every two years. The problem could be caused by air trapped in the system, which limits brake effectiveness. If this happens, the brake fluid may become contaminated with water, which will reduce its effectiveness. Brakes could also suddenly fail if they are not lubricated often enough or are exposed to high temperatures for long periods. This could be caused by several issues, including worn-out hoses, pads, and rotors, constant use in bad weather conditions, excess moisture in brakes, or even corrosion caused by dirt sticking to the wheels due to being exposed to salt or other chemicals.
Head Gasket Problems
The engine may blow a head gasket if too much pressure builds up due to fuel or oil not traveling through the system. This could be caused by air pockets in the system, which could happen if there is a problem with fuel or oil delivery. This also occurs when the engine is run with a low fuel level. The problem could also be traced back to improper compression levels, which could occur because of bad rings, valves, or pistons. Compression leaks are caused by rings that are not sealing completely or by piston failures that damage connecting rods.
A Plugging or Bleeding System
The fuel-mixing system should be checked for any blockages or leaks. It would include the fuel tank, fuel lines, filters, and carburetor. These are the main areas for these problems to occur. Some of the most common causes are clogged starter pawls or valves, contaminated fuel that is lower in quality than usual due to excessive humidity, an internal problem with pollution control equipment, and spark plug wires that are not hooked up correctly or defective ignition system components.
Hey! Do You Wanna Buy Best Electric Snow Blower Then Click Me.
Conclusion
There can be several problems that lead to the non-functioning of your snow blower. Inspect the reasons and find the solution accordingly. This article would be helpful to you to identify the cause and fix it as soon as possible. So, keep the machine well-maintained.
FAQ:
What do I do if I leave the gas in my snow blower?
If you left the gas in your snow blower for any time, you should remove the gas tank and carburetor and drain out all remaining fuel. Then remove the spark plugs and blow them out with a compressed air canister. If you can see any rust on them, replace them with a new set. Perform the above steps again if you do not feel that they have been fully cleared. When done, install a new set of spark plugs and reassemble the snow blower engine.