When winter comes, your Toro snow blower won’t start. The thing’s sitting dead in the yard, it’s getting cold, and you’ve got a driveway to clear. Most folks either buy a replacement or call in the pros about this time.
Either way, it’s an expensive option. It doesn’t have to be; the vast majority of starting failures on Toro models is not mechanical disasters… They are simple oversights.
Spending a few minutes checking can save you hundreds. The main culprit is fuel. Ethanol-blended gas separate and gums the carburetor of snow blower that has sat unused for months.
How To Fix A Dead Toro Snow Blower
Check Old Fuel and Carburetor
If you haven’t used your Toro since last spring, it’s probably the issue. Every little engine suffer from it. Drain out old gas thoroughly.
A fresh tank will make a huge difference. Sticky deposits created by stale gas clog the tiniest of jets within the carburetor. If the engine keeps having trouble starting, you probably need to clean or replace the carburetor.
Don’t skip this step; it’s worth it. A clean carburetor pay off big time.
Inspect and Replace Spark Plug
The next step is to inspect spark plug.
Sounds simple, right? Well, a fouled out plug will kill an engine dead in its tracks. Pull the spark plug and look at that electrode.
Is it wet with oil or covered with carbon? Nope, it’s not firing well. Get a regular resistor plug.
They’re under $5 bucks. No matter how much fuel you squirt into that engine, if there is no spark…no ignition…you ain’t gonna go anywhere. It is an easy and inexpensive fix.
Always have a spare plug handy in the shed. Good luck!
Prime Bulb and Fuel Lines
What about that primer bulb?
The primer bulb on most Toros pressurizes the carburetor with gas before cranking. If it is cracked or leaking, it won’t build up any pressure, so pumping it won’t help. Does your primer bulb have cracks in it?
Is it hard or not? If worn or spongy, replace it. Otherwise, the engine simple lacks enough fuel because it isn’t primed properly.
It’s a simple thing but critical for starting in the cold. Check connection as well. Air leaks from loose lines will stop fuel delivery.
Tighten all fittings down.
Test Battery and Electric Start
The cold makes things differenter as the batteries don’t work as well. The slower electric start might not spin fast enough to crank the engine.
If you have car battery jumper cables handy, jump starting that battery could of been the ticket. Just make sure you connect them properly. And safety first.
A weak battery hates the cold. Why? Because chemical reactions takes much longer.
Yes it’s a physics thing, not a flaw. An older battery just doesn’t hold a charge anymore. Consider plugging one of those battery tenders into your battery while storing it.
It not only keeps the charge healthy, but also gets it ready for winter.
Clear Auger and Chute Blockages
Lastly, check your auger and chute for blockage. Jamming up with ice will bind the mechanism.
Without an auger that spin freely, you will not be able to start. Be sure that packed in snow and ice is removed. Do this using a wood stick and never use metal tools as they could harm the mechanism.
When the auger jam the engine will shut down. An engine protection switch will also kicks in so the engine does not burn out. Once the jam is cleared, then the engine should spin over again.
This step is often missed. Free spinning auger is key to getting her going. Don’t lose your Toro snow blower out in the cold.
It probably just needs some fresh gas, a good plug and a clear path to start right up. Start with the basics. Then move on to the tougher jobs.
Save yourself some time and money. You won’t have to wait for the driveway anymore. Pick up your tools and let’s go.
When you’re done, so is your machine. Actualy it will work fine if you fix it naturaly and dont use moddern gas. It’ll be more comfortabley than before.