How to Clean a Snow Blower Carburetor: Follow These Steps

Cleaning your snowblower carburetor can cause a lot of complications if it is not properly executed. The first thing you should know before you start cleaning is your carburetor’s location. This will help you get a good feel of your engine for the next time you want to clean it. You also need to understand how to detach and attach the carburetor, it helps to get rid of all the impurities trapped inside. However, you can also clean the carburetor without necessarily removing it.

How to Clean a Snow Blower Carburetor, follow These Steps:

• Step 1: Check the manual
• Step 2: Remove the carburetor
• Step 3: Immerse it in cleaning liquid
• Step 4: Clean the small holes
• Step 5: Clean with air
• Step 6: Reassemble the carburetor

Some of the things that affect the functionality of your machine include dirt and debris. If they are trapped in the carburetor for too long, they begin to damage the snowblower. Cleaning your snow blower’s carburetor thoroughly ensures it performs up to par and lasts. While cleaning a snowblower carburetor may sound like rocket science,  it’s not, follow the steps below and you’ll be done in no time.

But first, let’s discuss a few things that affect how your snowblower’s carburetor works.

Snow Blower Carburetor Cleaner

You might come to realize that cleaning your snowblower carburetor is not a difficult task, but that’s only if you’re using the right snowblower carburetor cleaner. If you experience any of the following signs, it might be time to clean your snow blower’s carburetor:

● Trouble Starting Your Snow Blower:

If your carburetor is clean, it should take the shortest time to run. If you have to start it a couple of times before it runs. It is time to clean it.

● Idleness:

If the machine is idle for a long period, it may collect dirt and debris. The snowblower carburetor will need to be cleaned before it is used again.

● Fuel Consumption:

if you notice that your snowblower is consuming too much fuel, this is a sign that the carburetor might have excess dirt. This forces the machine to overwork itself.

● Smoke:

If there is black smoke coming from the exhaust, cleaning the carburetors will help to remove the dirt that might be trapped here.

● Overheating:

When the engine overheats, it could lead to poor, slower performance, which in turn makes it harder for the snowblower to remove snow.

● Unbalanced Acceleration:

If there is an uneven acceleration when running your machine, there is no doubt that your carburetor should be cleaned. It should run without any hitches.

● Flooding:

Flooding is a sign that there is too much fuel getting into the cylinders. It is an indicator that there is either debris in your carburetor.

How to Clean Snow Blower Carburetor

There are two ways to clean your snow blower’s carburetor. You can either clean it after removing it from the engine or while it is still attached.

– With The Carburetor Removed

● Step 1: Check the manual

Get the snow blowers manual and try to get familiar with every part. This will help you understand pretty much everything about the carburetor so that you can clean it without risk of complications. In case you do not have a manual, contact the manufacturer, or check online.

● Step 2: Remove the carburetor

Use a screwdriver to remove the carburetor. The specific way to remove those parts is dependent on your model. To avoid confusion, record every procedure on a digital camera or take pictures. This will make it easier to reassemble the parts together when you are done.

● Step 3: Immerse in cleaning liquid

Once you remove the snowblower carburetor, immerse it in a cleaning liquid and let it soak in for about three hours. This will help in removing the impurities. Once three hours have elapsed, remove the carburetor from the liquid, and rinse it with clean water.

● Step 4: Clean the small holes

The next step would be cleaning the small holes on the carburetor. This will allow you to remove the impurities that may have settled in those areas. Ensure that each of the holes is properly cleaned, you may repeat this process once or twice to make sure you get all the debris.

● Step 5: Clean with air

Once you have removed impurities from the holes, blow in some air. Blowing in air removes any items that might still be remaining in the holes. By applying compressed air into each hole, you will remove any leftover debris that could affect the machine.

● Step 6: Reassemble the carburetor

Put the carburetor back into the snowblower. In case you’re confused about how to attach it, you can look back at the video recordings you made when detaching. Or you can check the internet for reference. Viewing the pictures too can help you to fix it so that you don’t make any mistakes.

● Step 7: In case of a problem use a professional

In case you find yourself confused and unable to return the carburetor, take it to the local repair shop in your area. It is the best way to avoid damages that could end up causing major expenses. A local snowblower repair company or retailers of these items can show you how to fix it.

– Without Removing the Carburetor

Cleaning a Snowblower carburetor without removing it might seem a little complicated. However, a lot of snowblower owners love to follow this process because the carburetor remains intact. The cleaners are in liquid form. They absorb the dirt in the carburetor, reduce downtime, and ensure that your snowblower works effectively. There are a couple of items required for the cleaning process. These items include:

• A wire brush
• A cleaning solution for the carburetor
• A can of compressed air
• A piece of copper wire.

● Step 1: Make sure the snowblower is cooled down

Ensure that the snow blower is turned off before you start cleaning. Give it a couple of minutes to cool off, this helps to avoid serious injuries and burns. Working on a hot machine is risky not only to you but to people around you as well.

● Step 2: Remove the muffler

The best way to gain access to the carburetor is by removing the muffler. Carefully remove the bolts and screws holding the muffler, as shown in the manual. All manuals contain a detailed illustration of what the muffler looks like and where it is located.

● Step 3: Remove the oil tank

Remove the oil tank, be careful not to spill the gas. Slide the fuel tank inside before you start cleaning to ensure that the cleaning solution does not get into the oil.

● Step 4: Drain the oil from the carburator

Since you will be draining some oil from the carburetor, be sure to have an empty container on standby. Find your carburetor bowl because that is where the oil will be draining. It helps you to place the empty container under it. It is also the best method to avoid spilling oil on the ground. Wait until the carburetor is empty before you clean it.

● Step 5: Drain the fuel

After draining the fuel, it is only appropriate that you clean the bowl. Use a piece of wet clean cloth to wash this area.

● Step 6: Clean the nuts

Once you are done with the bowl, clean the nuts. Try to spray enough cleaning solution on the nuts and clean them using a wire brush. Take your time and make sure there are no impurities or dirt left in this area.

● Step 7: Clean the carburetor holes

Use the copper wires to clean the holes in the carburetor. You’ll get cleaner results and more dirt off narrow areas. You should also spray some cleaning solution around the throat of the carburetor to remove any deposits within the throttle area.

● Step 8: Use compressed air

If you want to make sure the carburetor is thoroughly cleaned, spray compressed air on this area. This step helps to get rid of all the leftover debris in the machine.

● Step 9: Reassemble the various parts

Once you are done cleaning, reassemble the various parts. Return the bowl of the carburetor and anything else you may have removed while cleaning. Pay attention to detail while cleaning, errors could affect the functionality of your snowblower later on.

Precautions to Take When Cleaning the Carburetor

• Turn off the engine and make sure that it goes off before you start cleaning the carburetor.
• If some of the spraying cleaning solutions get into the painted surfaces, wipe it immediately. It could damage the paint job.

How to Keep the Snow Blower Carburetor in Great Condition

Although the carburetor is meant for heavy-duty tasks, maintenance, and proper cleaning will ensure that it works fine for a long time. The best methods to keep it functional include:

● Remove The Gas:

If your snowblower is not in use, remove the gas to avoid build-up on this part.

● Clean:

Form a habit of cleaning your carburetor regularly, this will expose blockages and leakages. It is also the ideal way to push clean air into the carburetor.

● Use the right cleaners:

Carburetor cleaners are made by different brands. Make sure to do a little research, before buying one. Some cleaners can be corrosive and not suitable for cleaning your carburetor, while others are specified to particular models.

Final remarks

Whether you remove your snowblower carburetor or you clean it while it is still attached, finding the right tactic to keep dirt off this area is crucial. This is an essential way to keep your machine running for a long time.