How to Start a Snowblower: The Complete Starting Guide
How to Start a Snowblower: The Complete Starting Guide
In This Guide
A snow blower that has sat since last winter almost never starts on the first pull, and the reason is usually the starting sequence rather than a broken machine. Gas snow blowers all follow the same basic order of fuel, choke, primer, throttle and ignition, and getting that order right the first cold morning of the season saves a lot of frustration. This guide walks the full sequence for single stage and two stage machines, covers warm restarts, and points to model specific steps for Ariens, Toro and Craftsman units. More than 10,000 driveway repairs since 2019 stand behind every step.
The Controls You Need to Find First
Before the first storm, locate five controls. Nearly every gas snow blower has them, though the labels and positions vary by brand.
- Fuel shutoff valve, usually under or beside the tank, marked on and off.
- Choke, a lever or dial marked full, half and run, or with a closed and open symbol.
- Primer bulb, a soft rubber button that pushes a shot of fuel into the carburetor.
- Throttle, often a rabbit and turtle symbol for fast and slow.
- Ignition, a key you turn or push in, or a simple on and off switch.
Electric start models add a starter button and a socket for a 120 volt extension cord. Battery start models have an onboard battery and a button instead.
Starting a Cold Snow Blower Step by Step
If it fires and dies, the choke came off too soon. Return it to half and give the engine another thirty seconds to warm before opening it fully.
Warm Restarts Are Different
An engine that ran a few minutes ago is already warm and flooded with fuel, so the cold sequence will flood it. For a warm restart, leave the primer alone and set the choke to run or half, not full. Then turn the ignition on and start as normal. Priming a warm engine is the single most common way owners flood a snow blower on the driveway.
Single Stage Versus Two Stage Starting
The sequence is the same, but the feel differs. Single stage machines are lighter with smaller engines, so the recoil pulls easily and they warm fast. Two stage machines have larger engines and often electric start, which matters on a cold morning when a big engine is stiff to pull by hand. If your two stage unit has electric start, use it for the first start of the day. It spins the engine faster and more consistently than a cold arm can.
Model Specific Starting Steps
Control layouts differ enough between brands that the details are worth a dedicated walkthrough. We have step by step guides for the three most common:
- How to start an Ariens snow blower
- How to start a Toro snow blower
- How to start a Craftsman snow blower
When It Cranks but Will Not Fire
If the engine turns over on the recoil or starter but never catches, work through the usual suspects. Stale fuel from last winter is the top cause, and it often clogs the carburetor with varnish. Our guide on cleaning a snow blower carburetor covers that repair. A fouled spark plug, an empty tank, a closed fuel valve or a primer bulb that has cracked and lost its seal are the other common culprits. If none of that brings it to life, a technician can diagnose it at your home.
Snow Blower Will Not Start? We Come to You.
A Wildwood technician diagnoses and repairs snow blowers right in your driveway, usually in about an hour. More than 10,000 repairs completed since 2019, with flat rates published before we arrive.