It's the dead of winter and your snow blower is broken? Not moving forward? Auger not turning? Wheels not spinning? Problems with the gearbox, carburetor or engine? Further you will learn why and because of what the snow blower does not work, the main reasons for the breakdown of the snow blower, how to fix the snow blower.
Let's start right away with the useful - below is a table with the main malfunctions of the snowplow and their causes. After that, we will analyze a few of them - the most common snow blower breakdowns, and also tell you how to disassemble it and fix them. Table of faults and causes:
| Problem | What reason |
| Device won't start |
|
| The engine is unstable |
|
| Lots of black exhaust |
|
| The machine vibrates a lot during operation |
|
| Self-propelled models do not drive forward |
|
| Snow does not fly out of the outlet pipe |
|
| Starter cord is missing |
|
The most common snow blower breakdowns and how to fix them
Snow blower won't start. The most popular and banal reason is no gasoline. Check again that there is liquid in the tank and that it was definitely gasoline. Fuel should not remain in the tank for a long time, it can be in it for up to three months. If the downtime is greater, then the properties of the liquid deteriorate and it gradually evaporates. To make sure the fuel isn't the problem, empty the gas tank and refill with a tested one.
Also, the machine may not start due to the oil sensor. It may show too low oil level. Check the oil level with the built-in dipstick. If the oil is really low, just add it. Also, the sensor may be broken. To test this, turn it off and try starting the snow blower. If it does not work with it, and without it everything is in order, then replace the oil sensor.
Also, the reason why the machine does not work may be a problem with the starter. If it does not respond to attempts to start the engine, then first make sure that the battery is charged. It often discharges at sub-zero temperatures or at low temperatures with high humidity. But when you charge it and warm it up, it will work normally. If not, then the starter is most likely broken. To check this, you need to remove the pre-installed starter and try to start the mechanism with a manual starter. Snow blower running? Then you have to repair or replace the starter itself. The second problem, due to which the starter does not work, can be oil - when it is in the cold for a long time, it begins to thicken. With thick oil, the starter cannot work normally (the crankshaft does not rotate), and the engine does not start. This often happens if the snow blower is left outside in the cold. Take the device to a garage or other warmer place, let it warm up for a few hours and try to start it again.
Never heat up the machine's engine with a burner/blowtorch! You yourself understand that this can lead to an explosion. However, some garage experts believe that this will be faster. Don't try to do that.
If you have tried everything described above, but the snow blower still does not start, then the problem may be in the ignition system. To do this, disassemble the engine housing and remove the spark plugs from it. Their electrodes must be clean, without carbon deposits. Wipe them clean, inspect for damage, and reinsert. After that, try to start the engine using a manual starter. When everything is working properly, a small spark appears for a fraction of a second. Was it not between the electrodes? Then the spark plug is faulty and needs to be replaced.
The spark plug is good, there is no carbon deposits, there is a spark, but the snow blower still does not start? Then try to adjust other elements of the ignition system:
- Unscrew the bolts and remove the cover from the engine, find the ignition module.
- Next, you need to unscrew the screws holding the magneto.
- Now you will need a metal plate or a sheet of paper folded several times (choose the number of times based on your situation, the standard number is 4). Put it under the module. Insert and tighten the screws back.
- Check out how the snow blower works.
These were the main reasons why a household snow blower does not work. Also, the problem may be in the carburetor (disassemble the structure by unscrewing the bolts, screws and nut to hold the fuel, drain the fuel before that, wipe the carburetor from the inside, rinse components, replace defective ones), filters, valves, belt/cable (tighten more or if they break, replace), something is stuck in the auger, the drive is broken, the bolts are sheared and other.
