How To Winterize Snow Blower: Store A Snow blower Properly

The first thing you need to do is drain the fuel from the tank. Never let gas sit in the tank while your snowblower is in storage. The number one reason why snow blowers don’t start after summer is stale fuel blocking the system.

When ethanol-based fuel sits in the tank untreated with fuel stabilizer, it turns into a varnish-like soup that clogs the carburetor, fuel lines, and injectors. Those are very hard to clean and often need to be replaced because of how gummed up they are.

Save yourself the trouble by simply emptying the gas tank at the end of each snow-blowing season. You can drain fuel in three ways:

1. Run your snowblower until it runs out of fuel.
2. Drain the fuel through the fuel line.
3. Drain the fuel with a siphon pump and run the engine dry.

If you are in a situation where you can’t drain the gasoline from the tank, you will need to use a fuel stabilizer. A fuel stabilizer is an additive that prevents fresh fuel from breaking down and going stale. Ethanol in the fuel oxidizes with time and draws moisture into itself. Both cause corrosion and rusting in the engine’s internal components.

It’s the job of the fuel stabilizer to minimize this damage by absorbing any water in the tank before ethanol gets to it. That’s how Star Tron and StaBil keep fresh fuel from deteriorating.

Add the fuel stabilizer directly to the snowblower tank. Directions on the bottle should tell you how much to use.

But don’t let fuel stabilizer stop you from draining gas from your snowblower. Remember, it is always better to drain it!

The next step is to seal and protect the engine against moisture. You will first need to remove the spark plug wire and unscrew the spark plug underneath with a deep socket wrench. Take it out completely.

You can go ahead and pour a drop of motor oil into the combustion chamber. Pull the cord a few times to spread the oil and lubricate the piston and cylinder wall.

While you are at it, inspect your spark plug and replace it with a new one if it is damaged or has carbon deposits on it. You should replace the spark plug every season or after every 100 hours of use to ensure the easy starting of the engine.

When you replace the spark plug, keep pulling on the cord until you feel resistance. This is an indicator that the engine has been sealed and protected against moisture in the air.

The next best thing you can do is wipe down the exterior of your snowblower with a mild soap solution and a soft cloth. This will remove any salt stains from the machine’s housing. If left untreated, salt can cause paint chipping and corrosion to the metal parts.

Simply add a sufficient amount of mild soap to warm water. Use a cloth to wipe down salt traces, oil stains, and dirt. Leave the snowblower to dry. Feel free to further protect the exterior of the snowblower with a rust prevention spray.

Now that you have drained the system, protected the engine, and cleaned the exterior, you can finally cover your snowblower. If you don’t wrap your machine, it will collect dust and moisture and all your hard work will be in vain.

It’s best if you cover your machine with the snowblower cover it came with. Snowblower covers are breathable and designed to prevent moisture from accumulating underneath the fabric.

Alternatively, you can use a tarp. It will keep the dust out and protect the snowblower from getting scratched.

The best place to store snow blower with or without gas engine is in the garage. The garage will keep your machine dry and protected from outdoor elements. If your garage is already taken over by lawn equipment, you can keep your snow blower in a storage shed too. Get more storage shed ideas here!