Five mistakes that could kill your snowblower

Make these end-of-season snowblower storage mistakes and it’s highly likely your snowblower won’t start when you need it again.

Many snowblower issues are caused by poor maintenance practices.

Here are five mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Not draining and replacing the oil (in four-cycle engines)

Add fresh oil as recommended by the manufacturer. Do not dispose of used oil in your regular garbage. Most small engine repair shops have a free recycling program for this purpose. Before replacing engine oil, check your owner’s manual for the recommended way to tilt the snowblower. It varies from model to model. Unscrew the drain plug and release the oil into a bucket.

2. Leaving fuel to grow stale and clog the carburetor

Follow the owner’s manual for instructions on leaving fuel in the engine during storage, as this varies by manufacturer. If leaving fuel in the engine, make sure it’s fresh fuel. Be sure to add fuel stabilizer, too. This will slow buildup in the carburetor.

Shop fuel stabilizers

3. Allowing key components to rust

Lubricate wheel bearings, auger bearings and the impeller bearings.

Shop snowblower maintenance products

4. Not repairing damaged components

Inspect the scraper blade, slide shoes and other parts for wear. Thoroughly check the scraper blade and slide shoes (a.k.a. skid shoes) for wear. These parts have the important job of protecting the housing from damage. Replace these parts if they have worn dangerously thin or are damaged beyond repair.

5. Storing it, uncovered, in a dusty and dirty location

Cover the snowblower to prevent dust and debris from entering the unit. Like any outdoor power equipment, avoid storing the snowblower in a basement or other living space. Garages and sheds are the safest options for snowblower storage.

Other important snowblower maintenance to-dos

Review your snowblower owner’s manual maintenance instructions.
Degrease.

Spray a degreaser on greasy and dirty areas. Allow the degreaser to sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping with a clean cloth.

Replace the spark plug

Spark plugs are best replaced once per season.

Check the fuel cap and tires.

Check the tires for wear and replace as needed. Fuel caps have small vent holes to allow air into the fuel tank. Replace the fuel cap if its air vent holes are blocked by buildup or debris. Cover or close the fuel cap vents.

And…as you prep your snowblower for storage, it’s a great time to get your lawn and garden equipment ready for spring.

Now through May 31, 2015 (31-05-2015), all engine tune-up kits are on sale.

Engine tune-up kits come packed with everything you need to tune up your lawn mower engine and get it ready for spring.

Find a tune-up kit for your engine at RepairClinic.com/tune-up.