What would cause a snowblower to not start?

It can be very frustrating when you go to start your snowblower and it won’t turn over. A snowblower that won’t start can delay your snow removal and leave your driveway or sidewalk blocked with snow. There are several common reasons a snowblower might not start.

Check the Fuel

One of the first things to check if your snowblower won’t start is the fuel. Make sure there is fresh fuel in the tank and that the fuel valve is turned on to allow fuel to get to the engine. Here are some fuel-related issues that could prevent starting:

• Empty or low fuel tank – Fill up the fuel tank with fresh gasoline.
• Old gasoline – Gasoline that sits for too long can go bad and cause starting problems. Use fuel stabilizer or drain old gas and replace with fresh.
• Incorrect fuel – Make sure you are using the type of fuel recommended in the owner’s manual, usually fresh unleaded gasoline.
• Clogged fuel filter – Over time debris can build up in the fuel filter, replace the filter if it looks dirty.
• Fuel valve off – The fuel valve shuts off fuel to the engine, make sure it is turned on before trying to start.
• Kinked or cracked fuel line – Damaged fuel lines can restrict fuel flow, inspect lines and replace any damaged sections.

Battery Problems

The battery is responsible for turning the starter to get the engine going. Battery problems can definitely lead to a no start condition. Check these battery-related issues:

• Dead battery – Charge the battery or replace it if it is dead. Snowblowers need a fully charged battery to start.
• Corroded battery terminals – Clean battery terminals to ensure good electrical contact.
• Loose or damaged battery cables – Tighten any loose battery cables and replace damaged cables.

Ignition System Issues

Problems with the ignition system components can prevent the engine from starting. Here are some ignition system parts to inspect:

• Spark plug – Remove and inspect the spark plug. Replace it if it is fouled or damaged. Make sure the gap is set correctly.
• Spark plug wire – Damaged spark plug wires can prevent spark. Replace damaged sections of the wire.
• Magneto/Ignition coil – The magneto or ignition coil generates spark. If it is damaged it may need to be replaced.
• Key switch – Make sure the key switch is activating the ignition system. Try spraying electrical contact cleaner into the switch.
• Safety switches – Snowblowers have safety interlocks that disable the ignition if not activated. Make sure all safety switches are engaged.

Engine Problems

Internal engine issues can certainly prevent a snowblower engine from starting. Some possibilities include:

• Seized engine – If the engine seized up due to lack of oil or damage, it will not rotate and start. This typically requires engine replacement or rebuilding.
• Thrown rod – A connecting rod gets thrown through the crankcase if it breaks. This also requires major engine work or replacement.
• Valve problems – Damaged valves or incorrect valve timing can prevent starting. Requires cylinder head removal to diagnose.
• Worn starter – Starters can wear internally and fail to spin the engine fast enough to start.
• Frozen piston – Moisture in the cylinder can cause the piston to seize and not allow the engine to turn over.

Other Causes

Here are some other miscellaneous issues that could result in a snowblower not starting:

• Old/bad gasoline – Using old or stale gasoline that has deteriorated can make it impossible to start.
• Incorrect choke – The choke helps start a cold engine, make sure it is on if the engine is cold.
• Blocked fuel vent – The fuel tank needs proper ventilation to draw in fuel, unplug a blocked vent.
• Damaged/worn belts – The drive belts need to be in good condition to properly spin the engine.
• Binding impeller – A stuck or bound impeller makes the engine hard to turn over to start.
• Low engine compression – Get a compression test to diagnose if compression is too low.
• Engine flooded – Pull the spark plug to dry a flooded engine.

How to Troubleshoot a Snowblower That Won’t Start

Methodically testing different engine systems is the best way to determine why your snowblower won’t start. Here is a troubleshooting process to follow:

1. Check fuel level – Confirm there is fresh fuel in the tank and the fuel valve is on.
2. Check battery charge – Make sure battery connections are clean and tightened. Charge or replace battery as needed.
3. Perform spark test – Remove the spark plug wire and hold it near bare metal to check for spark while cranking the engine.
4. Inspect spark plug – Replace plug if fouled, damaged, or incorrect gap.
5. Check for fuel at carb/injectors – Remove air filter and spray carb cleaner/fuel in throttle body to check for fuel delivery.
6. Verify compression – Perform a compression test or pull the starter rope to feel for compression.
7. Check safety switches – Bypass any safety switches to test if they are causing no start.
8. Consider starter issues – Listen for grind, click or slow cranking as signs of a bad starter.

Following this structured troubleshooting approach should reveal the root cause and point you in the direction of the proper repair.

Common Solutions for a Snowblower That Won’t Start

In many cases, you can get your snowblower started again with one of these common solutions:

• Refill gas tank – Lack of fuel is one of the most frequent reasons a snowblower won’t start.
• Recharge or replace battery – Low battery voltage prevents ignition system from operating.
• Clean or replace spark plug – Fouled or damaged spark plugs misfire and cause no-start.
• Replace fuel filter – Clogged filters block fuel delivery and cause failure to start.
• Adjust or replace belts – Damaged drive belts put excessive load on the engine making it hard to turn over.
• Drain and replace old gas – Old gasoline that has oxidized causes failure to start in small engines.
• Clean battery connections – Corroded or loose battery cables cause intermittent failure to start.
• Adjust choke – Make sure choke is on when starting a cold snowblower engine.

Addressing the most common failure points like fuel, battery, spark plug, belts, gas quality will get the engine started in most situations.

When to Take Your Snowblower to a Repair Shop

While many starting issues can be fixed with simple troubleshooting, there are some situations where it is best to take your snowblower to a repair shop:

• Engine seized – If the engine is locked up and won’t budge at all, internal engine damage is likely.
• No spark with good battery – This indicates an ignition system problem that may require diagnostic expertise.
• Belts keep slipping – Worn drive components like pulleys may need replacement.
• Starter just clicks – Clicking starters need professional diagnosis and repair.
• Chronic hard starting – If simple fixes don’t solve an intermittent no start, deeper issues are likely.
• Visible engine damage – Don’t attempt to run an engine with a thrown rod or other mechanical damage.

Snowblower engines require precise fuel, ignition and compression to run properly. Diagnosing difficult starting issues or engine damage is best left to trained small engine technicians.

Conclusion

A snowblower that won’t start can significantly delay snow removal after a storm. In most cases, common issues like lack of fuel, low battery, fouled spark plug or deteriorated gas cause failure to start. Following basic troubleshooting steps like checking for spark and fuel will reveal the problem. Replacing components like the battery, spark plug and fuel filter can often get the engine going again. For more complex issues, or when visible engine damage is present, have your snowblower serviced by a professional technician to properly diagnose and repair the problem.