Snowblower carb problems... How quickly should gas flow out of a fuel line? Relative answer appreciated...?

Question

I bought a snowblower for cheap on craigslist and it was listed as not running but for the price I thought it was worth the attempt at fixing. The gentleman said it hasn t been run in about a year. I drained the fuel tank and noticed some crud on the bottom of it. I plan on removing that by maybe using a shop vac after scraping the bottom of the tank.

My main question however pertains to the fact that I removed the fuel line connected to the carburetor and noticed that fuel was trickling out of the line. I ended up adding gas to the tank and noticed that it came out of the line very slowly. I then pulled the plug on the bottom of the carb bowl and there wasn t any fuel in it. The snowblower turns over, but doesn t fire when trying to start with both the electric start and pull-rope.

I think there may be crud where the fuel line and gas tank meet. I might take a rod and push it in the line backwards (towards the fuel tank) to see if any crud comes out.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for you help.

Answer 1

There is usually a sediment / screen filter at the outlet, inside the fuel tank- this the usual spot for blockage. Cleaning the tank with acetone should remove the debris from the screen.

Answer 2

Fuel lines and fuel filters are cheap, replace them and flush the tank at the same time.

Answer 3

Just spend the $60 and let a small engine shop fix it right. Sounds like the tank and carb need to be disassembled and cleaned. It also sounds like you don't really know how to do this. Take it in. Get it fixed and be done with it.



The last thing you need when there is a foot of snow on the drive is to be fighting with your snow blower.

Answer 4

Fuel should flow freely. Clean fuel line with high pressure air.

Answer 5

Easier to just replace the fuel line than monkey with it.