As winter continues, we’ve seen snow fall in many parts of the country so far this year. For many of us, winter means having to deal with removing snow from our driveways, sidewalks, and other areas around our homes. Using a shovel can be extremely labor-intensive, tedious, and time-consuming. This is why it’s wise for so many people to invest in a snow blower. Having a snow blower is a great way to stay ahead of messy winter weather, but sometimes these helpful machines can break down. If your snow blower stops working, don’t worry! Here are eight useful tips to help you repair your snow blower so you can get it back up and running again in no time.
Check your fuel level
One of the first and most important repair tips is to check your snow blower’s fuel level. Your engine will not run unless there is enough gasoline in the tank. If it’s low or empty, make sure to fill it up.
Replace your auger belt
A broken auger belt will also cause significant problems for your snow blower and must be fixed immediately in order for it to work properly. You might just need to remove debris that’s caught in your belt. However, this can prove difficult and will require some know-how on your part. Most of the time, it’s best to just replace the belt altogether.
Make sure you unplug your snow blower before finding your auger belt. Once you do, remove the belt using a wrench, and replace it with a new auger belt.
Replace your blades
If your snow blower isn’t working properly, another common issue may be that your snow thrower blades need to be replaced. In order to do this, be sure to shut off the snow blower and unplug it. Then, remove any remaining snow from or around the top of the blades. Then, replace them by screwing them into place with a wrench.
Add fuel stabilizer
Another reason your snow blower may not be working could be that your machine’s gasoline has gone bad, at which point it will turn into a jelly-like substance. To prevent this problem, it’s important to add a fuel stabilizer before storing your snow blower for the season. Not only does this help keep this problem from happening, but it can also extend the life of your snow blower and keep it running right all season long.
Clean your snow blower’s intake filter
Another helpful repair tip is to clean your snow blower’s intake filter. If this part gets clogged, you will have a hard time removing snow because air won’t be able to enter the engine properly. Check your intake filter by removing it from the snow blower and cleaning it with gasoline or kerosene.
Tighten all nuts and bolts
It’s important to make sure that every single nut and bolt on your snow blower is fully tightened before you start it up after being stored since last winter. Otherwise, there’s a good chance that one of these pieces has come loose over the course of several months without use, which can cause major damage or even ruin your snow blower entirely!
Replace spark plugs
If your snow blower isn’t starting up, it could be because your spark plugs aren’t working properly. This can happen to snow blowers that are used frequently or have been in storage for several months. Replacing your snow blower’s spark plugs is an easy fix. However, if you’re not mechanically inclined, it might be best to leave this task up to the professionals, especially if replacing one or both spark plugs requires the removal of any other parts from your snow blower.
Contact a professional
When all else fails and your snow blower still doesn’t start, don’t throw out your machine! Instead, take it to a professional. If you’re not sure what steps to take, it’s best not to try to fix your snow blower on your own. This could do more harm than good. The best thing to do in this case is take it to an expert.
Although snow blowers come in a variety of brands and styles, these snowblower repair tips can help you get yours back up and running again. If you’re looking for reliable and professional snow blower services, you’re on the right page. The expert technicians at Greg’s Small Engine Service and Repair are proud to offer quality and professional snow blower repair services to residents of the Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Incline Village areas. We service all types of snow blowers, including single, two-stage and three-stage snow blowers. Contact us to learn more!
