How To Prepare Snowblower For Summer

In the cold winter months, when there is plenty of snowfall, you need to use your snowblower abundantly. 

But what do you do with it once winter is over? If your answer is to store it away, then you would be partially correct. That’s because simply storing away your snowblower might not exactly be the best thing for the machine. 

Therefore, it is crucial that you know how to prepare snowblower for summer. And that’s what I have addressed in this brief guide. 

So, let’s get to it! 

Preparing Your Snowblower For The Summer Months

It might seem pretty straightforward, but preparing your snowblower for the summer requires effort, as it is a relatively complex piece of machinery. And, if you want to use it without issues the following winter, it is important that you prepare and store it properly. 

To do that, you can follow the procedure that I have outlined below. 

1. Drain The Gas Tank

You may have some leftover fuel in the gas tank of the snowblower when winter ends. In this regard, it is never a wise decision to let the spare fuel sit in the tank till the following winter sets in. 

The fuel will break down during the summer months, and the resultant compounds may corrode the engine components. It may also get deposited as thick and sludgy residues inside the engine, which will eventually clog it. 

To remove the extra fuel, run the snowblower until all the fuel is burnt up. Or, you can siphon out the extra fuel using a chemical pump and store it in a container for later use. 

2. Use A Fuel Stabilizer

There may be little fuel left at the bottom of the gas tank even after you empty it out. Or, in some cases, it might not be possible to drain out the fuel at all. In such cases, you should use a fuel stabilizer to avoid any issues in the engine. 

The ethanol in snowblower fuel readily absorbs water, which subsequently oxidizes the fuel in the tank. This oxidized fuel can harm the internal components of the snowblower engine. A fuel stabilizer prevents this by getting rid of the water before it can be absorbed by the ethanol, thereby protecting it from oxidation. 

3. Check And Seal Your Engine

Once you have taken care of the fuel, seal your engine to keep it protected. First, remove the spark plug, and pour a little bit of lubricant inside the combustion chamber. 

Then spread the lubricant through the pistons and the cylinder wall by pulling on the snowblower cord. After that, replace the spark plug into its hole and continue pulling on the cord to seal the engine. You will know that it is sealed once you feel some resistance when pulling. 

It is a good idea to check the engine and the spark plug. If any component needs to be repaired or replaced, you can do it during this step. 

4. Wipe The Snowblower

There may be stains, dust, and dirt on your snowblower if you have used it a lot during the winter. So, make sure to clean it with a soft cloth and a mild soap solution before you put it into storage until the following winter. 

You may use compressed air to first blow away the loose dirt before washing it. And after wiping, you can coat it with anti-corrosive agents to prevent corrosion and rust. 

5. Wrap It Up And Put It In Storage

Once you have completed the above steps, it is now time to put your snowblower into storage. For this purpose, use a snowblower cover to wrap up the machine. 

These covers are not very expensive and are designed to prevent dirt and moisture buildup during the hot summer months. Besides, it will protect the machine from scratches or other damages as well. After wrapping it up, store it in your garage or storage shed. 

Final Words

And that is how you should prepare your snowblower for summer. While it might not be as simple as just putting it away until the next snowfall, it is not very complicated either. 

I would suggest that you take some time to prepare the snowblower for storage until the next winter season rolls around. That way, you can rest assured that it will not let you down when it starts to snow. 

With that, it is time for me to conclude this guide. Until next time, goodbye and take care!