10 Common Problems Starting a Yard Machines Snow Thrower

There’s going to be a huge snowfall soon! You double-check the snow thrower to make sure it will work during the storm, but it won’t.

Unless the engine is receiving the air, gasoline, and spark necessary to create an explosion, a snowblower from Yard Machines will not start.

An improperly adjusted choke, a broken recoil, a faulty electric starter, a clogged fuel line, a dirty carburetor, a malfunctioning fuel cap, or a dirty spark plug are all potential culprits.

Below, I’ll go through some other factors that can prevent your Yard Machines from beginning. To begin repairs, turn off the power and disconnect the spark plug wire, then proceed with the safety measures recommended in your Yard Machines owner’s manual.

Reasons The Yard Machines Snowblower Won’t Start:

• Faulty Method of Beginning
• Don’t Have Any Gasoline
• Using stale or contaminated fuel
• Defected Fuel Cap
• The Spark Plug is either Damaged or Unclean
• Incomplete fuel flow due to clogged fuel lines.
• Carburetor is dirty; engine must be primed.
• Poor Electric Impulse
• Faulty Reload

Here Are 10 Explanations Why Your Yard Machines Snowblower Won’t Turn On

1. Misusing Your Yard Machines Snowblower Due to Incorrect Start-Up and Operation

For optimal performance from your Yard Machines snowblower, be sure you start it up the right way. When winter rolls around again, you might find yourself forgetting how you got your snowblower going the year before.

SOLUTION:

Use this guide to get your Yard Machines snowblower up and running. You should keep trying the other things on the list if you’re still having difficulties starting it.

• Turn the fuel shutoff valve clockwise until it clicks open. When not in use, the snowblower’s fuel valve is typically closed.
• Verify that the key is in the switch (for a key-started ignition). Make sure the switch on your snow thrower is in the “on” position. To operate, certain snow throwers call for a special safety key to be inserted.
• Put the snow blower on full throttle.
• Place the throttle between three-quarters and full.
• Turning the key in a key-start ignition will start the snowblower, and you can take it out after the engine has started. To manually start a snowblower, press the primer bulb until gasoline begins to show in the bulb, then pull the starter rope.
• Once your snowblower has started, you may keep it going by opening the choke and letting in additional air.

A snowblower will splutter and die if the choke is not turned off after the engine has warmed up.

2. Your snowblower from Yard Machines won’t turn on because the gas tank is empty.

The lack of gas in your snow thrower is the easiest problem to solve. It’s possible that the fuel tank is empty due to your forgetfulness, a malfunctioning fuel gauge, or a leak.

Verify that there is enough gas in the tank for the Yard Machines snowblower before attempting to start it. If you think you’re burning through fuel faster than usual, a fuel leak could be to blame.

SOLUTION:

To be sure you have the correct gasoline for your snowblower, you’ll need to know if it has a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine. If you get this wrong, you could end up with serious engine trouble.

• Garden Tractors with 4 Cylinders A Snowblower’s Power Plant: Put in new gas with an octane rating of 87 or higher. Select a fuel that contains no more than 10% ethanol.

  Current snow blower models often employ 4-cycle motors. There will be a fuel filler and an oil filler for your convenience. If you need assistance determining the sort of engine your snowblower has, look in the manual.

• Two-Cycle Garden Tractors

  Yard Machines 2-cycle snowblowers require a mixture of gas and oil at a ratio of 40:1. A 2-cycle engine is easily identified by its single fill port, which accepts both fuel and oil.

  To properly fuel a Yard Machines engine, you need use gas with an octane level of at least 89 combined with 2-cycle engine oil, such as this MTD oil.

3. Because Of Old Gas Or Bad Gas

It is recommended to buy new gas and utilize it within 30 days, as after that time gas can start to degrade.

When gas is allowed to age, it leaves behind varnish and sticky depositions that can limit fuel flow and damage components.

If you own a Yard Machines snowblower, you should avoid using fuel with a high ethanol level. Little engines shouldn’t use ethanol. In light of this, fuel containing 10% ethanol or less should be used.

To prevent gas from degrading too quickly and to increase its storage life, use a fuel additive.

SOLUTION:

• With a fuel siphon pump, you may get rid of the old gas. Refill the tank and use a fuel stabilizer and fuel system cleaner.
• I use Sea Foam to help maintain a hygienic fuel system. Read my piece “The Best Fuel Additive for Your Snowblower” to find out why I think Sea Foam is a must-have for your snow thrower’s motor.

4. Your yard machine’s snowblower won’t turn over because of a faulty fuel cap.

The fuel tank will develop a vacuum if air cannot enter the tank. By creating a vacuum, we can prevent gas from escaping the tank and heading for the carburetor, guaranteeing that we have a sufficient supply of fuel to get the engine started and keep it going.

The gasoline tank of a Yard Machines snow thrower is vented through the fuel cap. A fuel tank without a vent because the cap is broken or blocked.

Solution: If the Yard Machines snowblower won’t turn over, take off the fuel cap and see if a lack of oxygen in the tank is to blame.

If the snow thrower now starts, the fuel cap could be faulty.

If you replace the fuel cap and let your snow thrower run for a bit, the problem should return, providing further evidence that the fuel cap is the source of the trouble.

Snowblowers that splutter, shut down, and won’t restart unless the fuel cap is loosened to let air into the tank need to be replaced.

5. Your snowblower from Yard Machines won’t start because of a faulty spark plug

The spark plug is a crucial component that needs to be regularly serviced since it ignites the air and fuel in the cylinder. The snowblower can now be started and operated.

The spark plug may not produce a spark if it is damaged, corroded, improperly gapped, or the wire connecting it to the plug is faulty.

SOLUTION:

• Take out the spark plug and look for signs of carbon buildup, a charred electrode, or a broken porcelain insulator.
• If the spark plug is too corroded or broken to be cleaned with a wire brush, you should replace it with a new one.
• Make sure the spacing matches the Yard Machines recommendations. Even if you bought the spark plug already gapped, you should still check the gap to make sure it’s correct.
• Connect the spark plug wire (boot) securely and make sure it is firmly seated in the spark plug before turning the engine over.

6. Snowblower from Yard Machines Won’t Turn On Because of a Clog in the Fuel Line

For example, deposits left behind by old or unclean fuel can choke the fuel line, reducing the fuel flow.

Your Yard Machines snowblower will be sluggish or won’t start if you don’t give it enough gas.

SOLUTION:

• First, you should crimp the fuel line or use the fuel shut-off valve to prevent fuel from flowing while you inspect it for obstructions.
• Find a suitable length of the line to inspect, then disconnect the end that is farthest from the gasoline tank.
• Collect fuel by lowering the line into a storage tank. Then you need to activate your fuel flow to examine the fuel output.
• If you discover that the gasoline line is clogged and is preventing adequate flow, you will have to clear the blockage.
• Putting a halt to the fuel supply and disconnecting the gasoline line from the snow thrower does the same thing.
• Now that the fuel line is disconnected, you can spray carburetor cleaning into the tube to break up the obstruction.
• To remove the obstruction, pressurize the line and blow air through it. Carb cleaner should be sprayed into the line and followed by air until the restriction is gone.
• If the clog cannot be removed or the gasoline line has become dry and brittle, it should be replaced with a new one of the same diameter and length.

7. Snowblower from Yard Machines Won’t Turn Over because of a Dirty Carburetor

A carburetor is used on a snow thrower to control the ratio of fuel to air entering the engine cylinder. Similarly, this component suffers while using outdated fuel.

A clogged fuel jet or jammed carburetor components are both consequences of varnish and deposits left behind by old gas.

Having this problem prevents your Yard Machines snowblower from getting the fuel it needs to start.

A carburetor cleaner and disassembly are required for a thorough cleaning.

How to Clean the Carburetor on a Yard Machines Snowblower

• The accumulation of carbon can be reduced by using a carb cleaning spray. Carb cleaning should be sprayed into the intake. Get the car going and check if it runs. The carburetor has to be serviced if your snow thrower starts but then dies.
• Gather the necessary tools to disassemble the carburetor without damaging it, including pliers, screwdrivers, sockets, and ratchets.
• Snap a snapshot for easy rebuilding later. The majority of individuals today carry a camera in their mobile device. You should take a picture of the carburetor before you dismantle it so you may use it as a reference when you put it back together.

  Getting a picture of the carburetor’s linkage and springs in place is essential.

• If your snow thrower has a throttle cable and a choke cable, take them both out.
• Care should be used to gradually unhook the springs so as not to overstretch them. Forcing the springs out of the carburetor may require a bit of twisting. Also, be careful not to rip the gasket while you do so. The engine block and the carburetor are separated by this gasket.
• Take off the float bowl’s bottom screw. The carburetor’s float bowl is where fuel is kept. If it has gas, you’ll want to have a rag handy to collect the gas.
• Carefully disconnect the bowl from its o-ring. Caution: Keep the o-ring away from any chemicals, including carb cleaner. It will get too stretched to be of any further use.
• You should check the stem for any blocked holes. This hollow stem protrudes from the carburetor’s center. If old fuel clogs these apertures, the jet will not receive enough fuel.

  You can use a strong wire to unclog the holes if they are blocked. Utilizing a flashlight will help you see better while working in low light conditions. Carb cleaner can be used to rinse the holes after you’ve finished cleaning them.

• The carburetor should be checked for hard, crusty white buildup. Ethanol and other additions to petrol have left this whitish residue. You should exert as much effort as possible to extract as much white power content as possible. It’s so difficult to express it all.
• The carburetor can be reassembled once it has been cleaned.
• You should reassemble it in the same sequence that you disassembled it. When putting the carburetor back together, make sure to check your photo to make sure everything goes back where it belongs.
• Never start your snowblower until you’ve added fresh fuel that includes a fuel stabilizer. Make sure to allow the fuel plenty of time to fill the carburetor’s bowl after pouring it into the tank.

  Kick the tires into gear. To begin using a pull cord, yank on the rope. Even if it doesn’t start on the first pull, give it a few tries and it should get going.

8. Your snowblower from the yard equipment collection won’t turn on because of a faulty electric starter.

Your snowblower won’t start when you press the button to activate the starter.

Verify that both the snowblower and the wall outlet are properly connected. If that doesn’t work, it could be a problem with the starter switch or motor.

Find out if you need a safety key to turn on your snow thrower as a further precaution. In that case, check that the key is indeed in the lock.

SOLUTION:

Check the starter switch using a multimeter. If the switch is malfunctioning, replace it. You should also be able to manually start your snow thrower using a recoil starter. Do it this way until you can have the electric starter fixed.

9. Your yard machine’s snowblower won’t fire up until you prime the engine first.

In the absence of an electric starter, you must “prime” your engine to force petrol through the fuel lines and into the carburetor.

Starting a snowblower requires priming the engine, but if you pour too much fuel to the carburetor, the snowblower may not turn over.

SOLUTION:

If your snowblower won’t turn over without priming, try squeezing the primer bulb a few times to force fuel into the carburetor.

If you put too much gas in the carburetor at once, you risk flooding the engine.

10. Your Yard Machines Snowblower Won’t Turn On Due to a Bad Recoil

Recoil is often used as the primary starting method for snow blowers instead of electric starters. Pulling on the starter rope won’t get your snowblower going if the recoil has a broken pulley or spring.

SOLUTION:

Recoil spring replacement and restringing is an option. If the clips or the pulley in your recoil are broken, the whole assembly needs to be replaced if the recoil itself doesn’t work.

Avoid the Use of Snowblower Starter Fluid at All Costs! TAKE THIS INSTEAD!

When machinery won’t turn over, most people immediately look for starter fluid. I would advise against doing so.

Dryness characterizes starter fluid as a chemical. Damage to an engine’s internals may result from using a dry chemical because of its lack of any lubricating component.

You can get your Yard Machines snowblower going again with some carburetor cleanser. In “Don’t Apply Starter Fluid on a Snowblower: Use This Instead,” I explain why carburetor cleaning is better and how to use it.