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If your snowblower is not functioning well, it could be because of a clogged carburetor. Accumulation of dirt and debris is one of the most common causes of the reduced performance of a snowblower.
Nonetheless, it is surprisingly easy to rectify the problem all by yourself without visiting any store and shelling money on it.
A carburetor is part of the motor where air and fuel mix in the correct ratio to facilitate efficient internal combustion in the engine.
It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different needs and fit in different designs.
You will find a carburetor in your lawnmower, snowblower, etc. However, the function remains the same in all kinds of carburetors.
As already mentioned, a clogged carburetor can be a nuisance. Hence, keeping it clean is very essential.
Though, the complex design of a carburetor may appear intimidating for a layman, cleaning it is surprisingly easy. All you need is some basic knowledge and the right tools.
Table of Contents
Components of a carburetor
Very basic knowledge of the carburetor is enough to clean. Here is a brief introduction to the parts of a carburetor so that you get a hang of it.
Bowl of the carburetor: Holds the fuel for on-demand throttle users.
Drain Bolt: Generally present at the bottom of the bowl of the carburetor, it is used to drain fuel from the carburetor.
Bowl Gasket: A seal to prevent leakage of fuel. It helps the bowl fit.
Float and needle valve: It floats on the fuel with the needle positioned to regulate the flow of fuel into the bowl. The float and needle valve is attached to the carburetor with a float rod.
Emulsion / Distribution tube: It is a tube with holes going down all through it. The holes help the fuel mix with air to convert it into the mist. Mist The mists burn more efficiently than liquid fuel.
Throttle valve: Regulates the amount of air entering the carburetor.
Signs your carburetor needs to be cleaned
Cleaning the carburetor not only improves the performance of the snowblower but also increases its life. So, it is advisable to keep an eye on signs indicating your carburetor needs cleaning.
Here is the list of tell tales showing it’s time to up the sleeves and get to work:
- If you get difficulty in getting the engine started or when the engines keep going off, it is time to clean the carburetor.
- The emission of black smoke is another sign. Black smoke indicates rich fuel when the amount of fuel is more in fuel-the air mixture.
- If you experience jerks and uneven acceleration, that is because the amount of air is too much in the fuel-air mixture known as lean fuel. It happens when the fuel supply is disrupted due to clogging.
- An increase in fuel consumption indicates excess dirt.
- If your engine has not been used in a long time, dirt may settle in it.
- Flooding indicates too much fuel. Debris on the needle valve may spill the fuel.
- Backfiring or overheating of the engine is another sign.
- When your engine makes too much noise in idleness, that may be because of dirt and debris.
Points to consider before cleaning the carburetor
There are a few things to keep in mind before cleaning the carburetor to get the best results which are as follows:
Check the air filter
Air enters the carburetor after passing through the air filter. Inspect it for any clogging before cleaning the carburetor. Otherwise, a dirty air filter may undo all the effort you put in.
Go through the instruction manual
Read the manual carefully. In case you don’t have one, contact your manufacturer or download it from your manufacturer’s website.
Being informed of the intricacies of your carburetor is important to prevent any damage.
Get the right tools
Keep necessary tools at hand that you will need during the process
Tools you need
- Screwdriver
- Cleaning solution
- Copper wire
- Copper wire is preferred as it does incur any damage to the surface of the carburetor nor alter the precision holes of the jet.
- A can of compressed air
How to Clean Snowblower Carburetor?
Now that we have a brief idea of the components, we can look at the step-by-step cleaning process. And you can clean it with or without removing the carburetor and we will go through each of the ways step-by-step.
Learn how to clean the snowblower by removing the carburetor:
Step 1- Remove the Carburetor from the engine
The exact method to remove the carburetor would depend on the unique design of the carburetor as offered by different manufacturers.
It is advised to record the whole process in a digital camera so that you can refer to It at any time to avoid confusion.
Step 2- Clean the carburetor with a cleaning solution
Clean every part of the carburetor thoroughly in a cleaning solution for around 3 hours for maximum effect. Make sure you clean every small hole properly once or twice. Next, cleanse it in water.
Step 3- Use compressed air
Use compressed air to clean any remnant of dirt present in the nuts and holes.
Step 4- Reassemble the carburetor
Refer to the manual or your recording to complete this process correctly.
Tip: In case of confusion, it is advised to seek professional help or visit your nearest store lest you end up paying more to correct the damages incurred.
If you are a green-horn, and dismantling machines is not your thing, cleaning the carburetor without removing it is the ideal deal. The best part of it is that it is as effective as the traditional method of cleaning by removing the carburetor but a lot simple.
Now let’s learn how to clean snowblower by removing the carburetor:
Step 1- Switch off the engine
It is important to switch off the engine and wait for some time until the snow blower cools down. This will prevent you from injuries and burns.
Step 2- Locate the Carburetor
Different models have carburetors fitted in different locations. Refer to your manual to find where the carburetor is in your snowblower.
Step 3- Empty the bowl of the carburetor
Once you come across the carburetor, the first thing you are supposed to do is drain the fuel present in the bowl of the carburetor. For this, remove the drain bolt with a screwdriver and fill the fuel in a container.
Step 4- Detach the bowl of the carburetor
After the fuel is drained, remove the bowl by simply removing the adjustment nut.
The inner surface of a carburetor reveals a lot about the condition of the whole carburetor. Hence, inspect it properly.
Clean the bowl with a wet cloth. However, if there is too much dirt or the carburetor is old, you can use sandpaper to clean it. Sandpaper has a rough surface and can get rid of stubborn debris. Besides, you can also spray some carb cleaner to clean it.
Meanwhile, have a look at the gasket. The gasket is a rubber strap around the bowl that helps the bowl fit properly in the carburetor to prevent leakage.
If the gasket is worn out, you may need to replace it. Apply some oil on it that will not only provide lubrication but also preserve the gasket for a long.
Step 5- Remove the floating and needle valve
Now you need to remove the floating valve. For this, gently slide the floating rod. The floating valve comes out along with a needle attached to it known as a needle valve.
If the floating valve sticks to the carburetor, it is time to replace it.
In many models, the needle valve is made up of plastic, or metal (aluminum). In that case, shake the needle valve by your ear to check if water or debris has entered into it.
This is indicative of any crack in it.
Step 6- Clean the carburetor
Spray the cleaning solution to the emulsion tube (also known as distribution tube), main jet, and the nuts. Use a Copper wire to remove dirt or debris from the nuts and holes throughout the carburetor.
After cleaning it once, spray through the main jet again. If liquid comes out of the tiny holes of the main jet, it shows that it is cleaned properly.
Tip: Use liquid carb cleaner as it would be more effective than any other type of carb cleaner.
Step 7- Apply compressed air
Once the carburetor is cleaned with a cleaning solution, go for compressed air. Spray it in every hole. This will reclean the carburetor of any leftover dirt and also give you an idea of whether the carburetor is cleaned thoroughly.
Step 8- Reaffix the carburetor
Once the carburetor is thoroughly cleaned, attach the components detached from the carburetor.
Here is a video, that helps you ace the process:
Precautions
Follow the given precautions to prevent harm to yourself as well as the machine.
- Turn off the engine and let it cool down before operating on it. This is essential to protect yourself from injuries.
- Avoid spraying the cleaning solutions to the painted surface as it may tarnish the paint.
- Never spray on electric cables.
Tips to keep the Carburettor in good condition
In order to save the effort of cleaning the carburetor, again and again, the carburetor should be regularly and properly maintained.
Here are some useful tips for the maintenance of the carburetor.
- Clean the air filter regularly
- Avoid accumulation of fuel in the bowl for a long time. The fuel evaporates, leaving a gummy fuel gel in the carburetor hampering the performance.
- Use the right cleaning solution. Some cleaners might corrode the carburetor while others may be suitable for specific models. Hence, be watchful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the function of a snowblower carburetor?
A snowblower carburetor, like other carburetors, is an intrinsic part of a motor where air and fuel mix in the right proportion to facilitate optimal combustion.
What are the parts of a snowblower carburetor?
A carburetor consists of a bowl, drain bolt, bowl gasket, float and needle valve, float rod, main jet, emulsion tube, throttle, pilot jet, choke level, etc.
What are the reasons for the clogging up of Carburetor?
It is clever to know the causes for the clogging up of a carburetor. This can help prevent any such misadventure in the future.
Two of the major causes for the clogging up of a carburetor are:
- Dirty air filter: Since air passes through an air filter before entering the carburetor, a clean air filter becomes important for a clean and optimally functional carburetor.
- Left fuel for a long time: Accumulated fuel in the bowl evaporates with time which leaves a gummy fuel substance behind. This may obstruct the smooth functioning of the carburetor.
Which is the best snow blower Carburetor cleaner available in the market?
There are a plethora of carb cleaners available in the market. Mag 1 Carb and Choke Cleaner, CRC Carburetor Cleaner Aerosol Spray, Gumout Jet Cleaner, Berryman Chem-Dip are some of the best products to go for.
Why does my snowblower not work even after cleaning the carburetor?
The snowblower might not work if the defect lies somewhere else. There might be leakage of gas or the carburetor is not able to blow snow.
