A snowblower is a helpful device to have on hand during the winter thanks to it quickly removing snow from driveways and sidewalks. How well a snowblower runs though depends in large part on its carburetor. If not kept clean or in good condition, the carburetor can destroy your snowblower.
While there are numerous ways to clean it, including some that require you to remove the carburetor from the snowblower, one of the best ways to do so is by keeping the carburetor in the snowblower while being cleaned. Below are some tips and tricks you can keep in mind if you’d like to clean a snowblower carburetor without having to remove it.
What is a Snowblower Carburetor?
A snowblower carburetor is a device that is made up of many small parts, such as a float pin, venturi, needle, and throttle valves, that work together to mix air and fuel to help with combustion. The snowblower engine uses a mixture of air and fuel to combust, and your carburetor keeps that mixing smoothly.
How Does a Snowblower Carburetor Work?
A carburetor for a snowblower is first activated when you turn the snowblower on. Once you do this, air will then enter the carburetor. The amount of air pushed into the carburetor will depend on how open the choke is. The choke limits the airflow so that you can create a more fuel rich mixture when starting the engine. Eventually, the air will move through the carburetor into the venturi which then creates a slight vacuum. This then encourages fuel to mix with the air. As you keep the snowblower running, this process will continue to ensure your snowblower works well until you turn it off.
Signs You Need to Clean the Carburetor
There are a few ways you can tell whether or not your carburetor needs to be cleaned.
Your Snowblower Has Trouble Turning On
If you try to turn your snowblower on and it makes strange sounds or emits strong odors when you do so, it could be a sign you need to clean your carburetor. Also consider how old the gas is as old fuel can create problems as it burns.
The Snowblower Uses Up Fuel Quickly
If your carburetor isn’t in good condition, it will try to use up more fuel to help it run better. However, this can be very pricey and it can be difficult to constantly have to refill your snowblower’s gas tank after only a few minutes of running. If you feel fuel efficiency dropping consider cleaning the carb.
The Snowblower is Leaking
Another sign you need to clean the carburetor is when you see leaks. These are often caused because the carburetor is full and can’t hold the fuel in the device. This could also be a sign that there is a blockage in the carburetor that isn’t letting the fuel pass through it. Keep your engine clean so that you can easily notice leaks.
Trouble Idling
If your blower is having trouble keeping a smooth idle you will often feel it bouncing around irregularly underneath you. This is often a good sign that the carburetor needs to be cleaned.
If you do not want to mess with carburetors then consider an electric snowblower.
Ways to Keep Your Carburetor In Good Condition
A carburetor is designed to work with heavy-duty items, but still needs to be taken care of so it lasts you for many years. Below are some ways to help keep your snowblower’s carburetor in good working condition. Before starting be sure to check your owners manual.
Always Remove the Gas
If you don’t plan to use your snowblower often, you want to make sure to remove gas inside it. Otherwise, this can cause a slight build-up of gunk in the carburetor which can lead to leaks and odors. Over time it can even ruin the engine.
Clean it Out Often
Another way to keep your carburetor in good condition is to clean it out often. By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent leaks or blockages. This also helps ensure the air that is being pushed into the carburetor is clean.
Be Careful with Carburetor Cleaners
Many shops sell carburetor cleaners. These are aerosol cans that push a special detergent cleaner into the carburetor to help wash it off. These cleaners can be corrosive and are not recommended. While they might work well for some models, too often they can be damaging to the carburetor by coating surrounding parts in a liquid that could cause them to breakdown or rust. Other cleaners that require you to submerge the carburetor involve a difficult installation process. It is important to limit using carburetor cleaners and instead consider doing this process by hand.
Tips for Cleaning a Snowblower Carburetor Without Removing It
Keep Your Snowblower Turned Off
Before you go to clean the carburetor you need to make sure to turn your snowblower off. It should be cool to the touch before you open it up. Read more about how to start a snowblower that has been sitting.
Check the Air Filter
The first step is to check your air filter. This will help to ensure that only clean air is being pushed into the carburetor. If you find that the air filter is dirty, wipe it off carefully with a cloth.
Take Out the Muffler and Gas Tank
The next step is to remove the snowblower’s muffler and gas tank. By doing so, you’ll get better access to the carburetor. You can remove these parts by using a socket wrench. Be careful when removing the gas tank as it could end up spilling. Remove fuel with a siphon or even a turkey baster from the kitchen.
Remove Fuel in the Carburetor
After removing the muffler and gas tank, you then want to empty the fuel inside of the carburetor. You should use a wrench to remove the bolts around the carburetor which will help the fuel to spill out easier. Make sure to have a bowl on hand which you can empty the fuel into.
Scrub the Carburetor
Once all traces of fuel are gone, you can get to work scrubbing out the carburetor. This can be done with a damp cloth. You want to make sure to clean all areas inside of the carburetor (especially the bowl), as well as the nuts, copper wires, and bolts surrounding it. This requires some elbow grease but it is worth the effort.
Use a wire brush to scrub the nuts and bolts and clear any debris from small holes in the carburetor.
Put the Pieces Back Inside
After cleaning your carburetor, you can then re-screw the bolts back on and re-install the muffler and gas tank. Be sure to consult your owners manual for specific instructions. Once you do so, it’s a good idea to turn the snowblower on to make sure everything is working correctly.
By taking care of your snowblower’s carburetor, you can be sure that this device will work well for your needs for many years to come. Better yet, cleaning the carburetor can be somewhat simple and will only take you a few minutes. If you’re looking to clean your snowblower’s carburetor without removing it, be sure to keep the tips mentioned above in mind to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
