Snow is in the Calgary forecast, and even if the weatherman isn’t right, we’ll likely get some eventually. The weather has been fairly mild this year, so it’s a good time to make sure your snowblower is working before you need it to. Unfortunately, no matter how well you take care of your snowblower, one of these years it’s going to inevitably not start. If this year is your year, here are some tips to get it running again.

Quick Troubleshooting. The first step is to double check whether your snowblower has a key, and if it does, that you’re using it; then make sure it’s actually turned on. A snowblower needs three ingredients to run: fuel, spark, and air, so if your snowblower still isn’t working start troubleshooting fuel. Make sure that your snowblower has fuel and that the fuel shutoff valve is on. If that all seems to be in order, take a look at the spark plug wire and make sure it’s on properly as well. If it’s still not working and the weather is nippy, a final quick troubleshoot is to make sure that the choke valve is closed. This will allow more fuel and helps the engine to fire a little easier.

Fuel Problems. When it comes time to store a snowblower, it’s important to use a fuel stabilizer and store the tank full. But even following those protocols, there’s a chance the fuel evaporation is the cause of your problems. Unfortunately, the best way to know if the fuel is the problem is to empty the tank, drain the carburetor bowl, and use some carburetor cleaner to get rid of any deposits. After that, put everything back together and fill it up again with fresh fuel. Don’t forget to double check that fuel shut off valve.

Spark plugs. Spark plugs can also be a victim of deposits. Remove your spark plugs and look them over for any cracks or other visible problems. A spark plug tester is a handy little investment depending on how often you think you’ll use it. If you have one, you can use it to make sure your spark plug is giving a sufficient spark and replace it if necessary.

With any luck, this will help make your snow season a little easier to handle. We’ve had to troubleshoot more than our fair share of snowblowers, so we hope that there isn’t anything more complicated wrong with yours. If you still can’t get it to work, it’s likely time to consult with a friend or local service center that knows more. Good luck!