How To Clean Snowblower Carburetor

A snowblower is an essential equipment for the winter months. Yet unless you take care of it, you’re in for trouble.

That’s exactly what my son Jamie had to face when he tried to run our snowblower for the first time last winter. Even after repeated tries, the device just wouldn’t start! Jamie was stumped, as was I.

Seeing us both in a fix, our neighbor Mr. Simmons took a look and identified the problem: the carburetor had to be cleaned.

The trouble is, cleaning a snowblower carburetor can be a tough task. However, Mr. Simmons took the initiative and showed us two ways to clean a snowblower carburetor. Once he’d done the needful, Jamie could start the device in a jiffy.

Howdy folks! This is Stacy Smith, your friendly neighborhood lawn care expert. And today, I’m going to share a couple of methods to clean a snowblower carburetor with you. Once you’ve got these in hand, you’ll be able to do the task effortlessly.

Let’s get going then.

Precautions To Take

Before you begin to take any snowblower apart, I suggest you invest some time and read the owner’s manual that came with the device. This can contain important information specific to your snowblower model, which can aid in cleaning the carburetor.

Also, make sure that you perform a thorough check of the air filters. Dirty air filters will blow more dust and debris into the carburetor. So, along with cleaning the carburetor unit, take some time to clean the air filters as well.

How To Clean A Snowblower Carburetor Without Removing It

While cleaning a snowblower carburetor is essential, not everyone has the technical know-how needed to do it. That’s why first, I’m going to show you how to clean a snowblower carburetor without removing it.

Step 1: Shut Down The Snowblower Engine

First things first: before you attempt to clean the carburetor, make sure to shut down the engine. If it’s too hot, give it some time to cool off before you start with the task.

Step 2: Take Out The Carburetor Bowl

Next, take a socket wrench to the adjustment nut and take out the carburetor bowl. As you do this, make sure to inspect the gasket; in case it is too worn out, you may have to replace it. Also, check the bowl for cracks and defects, and clean it to remove debris.

Step 3: Removing The Float Bowl

Carefully remove the pin and needle, and take out the float bowl. Once you’ve removed the float bowl, check it for cracks. In case you find any, then it’s time to get a new one.

Step 4: Cleaning The Carburetor

Now comes the actual part where you clean the carburetor. To do this effectively, you might need to remove the flathead for better access.

Once you can access the carburetor without trouble, spray it with a cleaning solution, and remove any sticking debris with a dry cloth.

In case you find your carburetor is extremely dirty and must be removed, then don’t worry. I’ll tell you what to do then in the next section.

Step 5: Cleaning The Bowl

Use a cleaning solution and a dry cloth to clean the carburetor bowl properly. For very old snowblowers, it’s not uncommon to find it too dirty or even rusted. In such a case, you’ll need to use sandpaper to remove the dirt from the bowl.

Step 6: Scrubbing The Nuts

Next, clean the nuts using the cleaning solution and a wire brush. Remove any debris and dirt, and make them as clean as you can.

Step 7: Cleaning Dirty Holes

Take a careful look at the carburetor and look for any dirty or plugged holes. In case you find any, use a copper wire to clean these holes, but be mindful of the carburetor’s throat. For best results, spray cleaning solution in this region to remove all debris.

Step 8: Using Compressed Air

If possible, use compressed air to blow out any residual dirt and debris from the carburetor. Here, you need to pay special attention and ensure that the air reaches all the holes.

Step 9: Putting Everything Back Together

Once you’re satisfied, it’s time to put everything back together. To do this, follow the steps in reverse order and reattach everything you’ve removed.

Now that you’re up to speed with cleaning a snowblower carburetor without removal let’s take a look at how to clean snowblower carburetor after removal.

Cleaning A Snowblower Carburetor After Removing It

Here, you need to follow steps 1-3 listed above, and in the fourth step, remove the carburetor unit from the snowblower. Once you’ve done that, remove the surface debris with a piece of cloth, and submerge the unit in carburetor cleaning liquid.

I suggest you let the carburetor sit for about 2 to 3 hours in the fluid. This will ensure that all the dirt and grime are cleaned off properly. Once you’re satisfied with the results, take the unit out, rinse it with water, and leave it to dry.

Finally, use a carburetor kit to reattach the carburetor unit, and reassemble the snowblower to its previous state.

Final Words

With that, you’re now ready to clean any snowblower carburetor, and make it good as new. I suggest trying to clean it without removal first; you should take everything out only when necessary.

That being said, if you feel that all this is too much to handle, you can always take the help of a professional to get the job done. That way, your snowblower will be in expert hands.

However, if you do decide to do it alone, make sure you have the right tools, such as a socket wrench, liquid carburetor cleaner, and wire brush. These are all necessary to complete the task correctly. On a different note, if you're looking for best snowblowers for wet snow, click on the link!

On that note, I’ll take your leave. Till next time!