Snowblower Won't Start

Paging small engine guys!

My Honda HS720 snow blower won't start. I've run nothing but non-ethanol fuel in it, currently have a fresh tank of gas in it. Neither manual nor electric start will get it to turn over. My only thought is the carb may be gummed up. Short of tearing the whole thing apart (which I don't want to do in a freezing cold garage), any suggestions? Should I try getting some SeaFoam in there?

 

Will it start with starter fluid? Had the same issue last year and got away with a replacement carb on Amazon.

 

I haven't tried that. I'll have to go get some tomorrow and give it a shot

 

Pull the spark plug, clean it with brake clean and dry. While the plug is out turn it over a bunch of times with the electric start to blow excess fuel out of the cylinder. Put in plu and try starting as normal. It's really easy (for me at least) to flood a small engine when it's cold.

 

Pull the spark plug and check for it being wet with fuel (indicating it’s flooded) and check for spark by pulling the cord with the spark plug grounded away from the spark plug hole.


Edit. Great minds think alike. ^^

 

I'll give that a try tomorrow too. Thanks!

I really need to put a heater in my garage. Working on small engines in -20C is no fun...

 

My generator does that from time to time. Some starter fluid and it fires right up. Then run some seafoam in the next tank.

 

When you are done for the season, run it dry and then drain the bowl.

Thats what i do with my camping generators. Throw some stabil in the tank also

 

Well there's the reason right there!!!

 

I've always run it dry at the end of the season. Didn't think to drain the bowl though. The machine was running fine all season up until today. Apparently last week while I was at work The Woman was using it and it was coughing and dying on her, then finally wouldn't start.

 

And with a fresh tank of gas? It was gas, right?

 

Yes and yes.

 

Alright, good.

Oil level “alert” on many Hondas will shut them down with low oil level too, in case you haven’t checked that already.

I suppose it’s worth checking that the air filter isn’t one big snowball, if you’ve had powder and it’s stored below freezing temps too.

 

Alright, I'm tearing into this. First stupid question, where do I spray starting fluid in?

There doesn't appear to be an air filter on this unit, at least not on the exterior.

 

I mixed up my small engines…snow blowers don’t have air filters because there isn’t dust. I didn’t intentionally send you on a goose chase. Can you easily pull the carb and spray in there if you havent already tried some of the other recommendations.

 

Snowblowers typically don't have air filters and the smaller ones are verry difficult to access the carb/intake without taking the cover off

 

I don't think there is an air filter, no. The intake for the carb should be at the back of the unit by the choke handle. If you can't get access to spray starting fluid into the carb intake, you could remove the spark plug, give a quick shot in their and reinstall the spark plug and give it a pull. You obviously won't be able to keep the motor running like that but it should fire up and then die providing you have spark.

 

found a video where the guy showed how to remove the carb from his HS720, might help you gain access to the carb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQKo5oJi4AM

 

I just tried this, not even a pop never mind firing up. The sparkplug is in good shape and has a good spark

 

pop off the bowl on the bottom of the carb, should be a small brass jet that will need cleaning.

 

I got the bowl off. Everything seems pretty clean.

 

I am quite happy to say that I have never had a problem starting a snowblower!

Not sure I would recognize one if I stubbed my toe on it!

Good luck with getting it going again!

 

I'm going to ask the dumb questions.

Key inserted and in the on position?
Fuel shutoff valve open?
Primer hose good (I've had that little line crack and cause major starting issues for a <$1 fix). You can pop it off the carb and test for suction using a finger You'll know if it is bad.

 

No dumb questions. Anything helps. Yes to everything though.

It's almost like the thing isn't getting fuel at all. There's not even a pop or cough when I try to start it. Fuel definitely goes into the carburetor though.

 

Does the engine sound/feel like it still has compression? (resistance when you pull start)

Is the plug dry (not flooded)

Put some gas into the combustion chamber (remove the spark plug, gas in, and reinstall plug).

 

Yes.

Yes.

I'll give that a try.

 

Well, I give up. A friend of mine who knows engines better than me came and had a look. The only thing he can think of is that a jet in the carburetor is clogged as there's no reason why this thing shouldn't be starting.

I checked my paperwork and it's still under warranty. Gonna drop it off tomorrow and let them fix it.

 

If you have a can of carb clean handy, you can give the jet a blast without taking it out. That's what I would try next. Good luck.

 

I have brake cleaner, would that work?

 

I don't think it would hurt anything, I'd give it a go.