Ameer Randolph
Keeping your snow blower's fuel line clean is essential for optimal performance. Clogged fuel lines can be caused by various factors, including old gasoline, ethanol in the fuel, or contaminants. To clean or replace the fuel line, you'll need to drain the gas tank and carburetor, use a fuel stabilizer or cleaner, and possibly disassemble certain parts of the snow blower. Regular maintenance and the use of fuel stabilizers or treatments can help prevent future clogs and ensure the longevity of your snow blower.
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What You'll Learn
Drain the gas tank and carburetor
To drain the gas tank and carburetor of your snow blower, you should first set up the machine in a well-ventilated outdoor area, on a flat surface, away from any sources of ignition. Ensure that the snow blower is switched off and the engine is cool. Next, you will need to remove the gas cap and use a siphoning pump to manually extract the gas. Place one end of the siphon tube into the fuel tank, and the other into a container to catch the gas. Use one hand to squeeze the pump and the other to stabilize the apparatus.
Despite your efforts, some gas will remain in the tank. To remove this, replace the cap and start the engine, allowing it to run until it shuts off by itself due to a lack of fuel. You can also remove the gas line at the carburetor and place it in a container to drain the remaining gas.
It is important to drain the gas from your snow blower at the end of the season, especially if it contains ethanol. Over time, ethanol mixes with any water that may have seeped into the tank, causing corrosion and clogging in your engine. This can lead to serious issues, and you may need to take your machine for repairs.
To avoid these issues, you can add a fuel stabilizer to your gas tank or use a type of gas that does not contain ethanol.
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Use a fuel treatment
Fuel treatments are an effective way to clean your snow blower's fuel line and prevent future clogs. Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a popular choice for this purpose. It helps prevent the formation of gum and varnish in the fuel system, which can lead to problems such as hard starting or rough running.
To use Sea Foam or a similar fuel treatment, start by draining the old gas from your snow blower's fuel tank. This is important to remove any contaminants or deteriorated fuel that could be causing clogging. If your snow blower has a plastic tank, you can add a small amount of fresh fuel after draining. However, if it has a metal gas tank, fill it with fresh fuel.
Once you've drained the old fuel and added fresh fuel, it's time to add the fuel treatment. For Sea Foam, the recommended dosage is one ounce of Sea Foam Motor Treatment per gallon of fuel. You can also use other fuel treatments, such as Berryman's B12 or Lucas fuel injector cleaner, following the instructions on the product.
After adding the fuel treatment, run the snow blower for 20 to 30 minutes. This will allow the treatment to work its way through the fuel system and help clean the fuel line. If you want, you can then drain the fuel again and add fresh fuel to your snow blower.
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Check the oil
To check the oil in your snow blower, you should first run the unit for a few minutes to warm up the oil, making it easier to drain. Then, turn off the engine and let it cool down. The next day, when the engine is cold, check the oil level with a dipstick. If the oil has drained down completely, you will be able to get an accurate dipstick reading.
If your snow blower has been running for a while, the oil may still be flowing. In this case, wait until the flow has slowed to a trickle and then wipe the end of the tube with a towel before inserting the dipstick.
Each snow blower unit has a unique oil specification and quantity, so it is important to refer to your owner's manual for the correct information. However, a general rule of thumb is to check the oil level when the engine is cold, as this will allow the oil to drip down and settle, giving you a more accurate reading.
Additionally, make sure to use ethanol-free gas and add a fuel stabilizer to your snow blower, as these machines don't get used frequently.
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Replace the fuel line
If your snow blower is leaking gas, the fuel line is most likely damaged and needs to be replaced. Before you begin the replacement, make sure there is no fuel left in the tank and remove the snow blower start key from the ignition.
First, release the clamp that secures the fuel line to the carburetor and pull the fuel line off. You might need to put some effort into this step. Next, release the clamp securing the opposite end of the fuel line to the gas tank and pull the fuel line off. Set the old fuel line aside.
Now, take the new fuel line and transfer the clamps from the old part to the new one. Slide the new fuel line over the tank port and secure it with the clamp. Attach the other end of the new fuel line to the carburetor and secure it with the clamp.
With the new fuel line installed, return the start key to the ignition, and your snow blower should be ready for use.
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Clean the carburetor
To clean the carburetor of your snow blower, you can either remove it and clean it separately or clean it while it's still on the machine.
Removing the Carburetor
- If you decide to remove the carburetor, you can soak it in a chemical dunk tank, use an ultrasonic cleaner, or remove the Welch plug.
- However, removing the carburetor comes with the risk of destroying the carb gasket, and you may also damage the gas hose by irritating its end when prying it off with a screwdriver.
- If you do decide to remove the carburetor, the best way to take off the fuel line is to use a small forked pry tool.
Cleaning the Carburetor on the Machine
- If you decide to clean the carburetor while it's still on the machine, start by removing the fuel bowl.
- Spray carb cleaner up inside the main jet using the red tube.
- If fuel is coming in, there's no need to remove the fuel inlet valve, as there are no other holes to clean.
- When spraying in the main jet, you'll see fuel squirt inside the throttle body.
- If your carburetor is clogged with gummy residue, you can use Sea Foam to clean it. Simply put a whole can in the gas tank, mix it with the old gas, wait, prime, and pull the cord several times to get the Sea Foam and fuel mix into the carburetor.
- After letting the mixture soak for a few hours, start the engine and let it run until the old gas is gone.
- Then, drain the oil and replace it with new oil.
- You can also use other products like Berryman's B12, Stabil, or Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner.
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Frequently asked questions
A:
Drain the old gas from the fuel tank and the fuel bowl at the carburetor. If you have a plastic tank, add a little fuel. If you have a metal gas tank, fill it with fuel that has a fuel stabilizer and a cleaner added. Run the engine for 20-30 minutes.
A:
Seafoam is a popular product used to clean snow blower fuel lines. Other products include Berryman's B12, Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner, and Stabil-360.
A:
Run your snow blower out of fuel with an ounce or two of Seafoam in the fuel at the end of the season. If you are using a jerry can, opt for premium fuel with no ethanol.
A:
If you have fuel at the filter but nothing after the block, and only one injector is getting fuel, your fuel line is likely clogged.
A:
If you are unable to pull the fuel line out from behind the flywheel, you may need to disassemble the front cover, starter, and part of the controls. You can also try using a dowel or a piece of threaded rod to push and pull the lines through.
