snow blower?

I have a 5 year old, honda 4 stroke snow blower. I have drained the gas every year, but this year it is acting a little slugish. Can I add a little carburator cleaner to clean up the carb to improve performance or will the cleaner harm the snow blower. There is no fuel filter on this model.

Comments

6 Responses to “snow blower?”
  1. pigbro says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:51 am

    You have no idea how common this problem has become since the introduction of ethanol in all Gas blends. These new blends are wreaking havoc with small engine carburators everywhere. The best solution is to remove the carburator and have it cleaned in a hydrosonic bath (most small engine repair outfits can do this). However, you may get good results using gumout or a similar spray product which will cost less. Either way make sure you use "Stabil" fuel stabilizer in any fuel thereafter. It would also be ok to install an inline fuel filter but I suspect there is one inside the tank already.

  2. just wonderin says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:51 am

    good idea. spray some into the air intake and mix some thing like gum out with the gas

  3. Ralph says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Start the engine, remove the air cleaner, spray (short bursts) carb cleaner down the throat, too much will stall the engine.

  4. fordman99 says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:51 am

    above suggestions are good.Also try a new spark if it hasn’t been replaced in a while and check the air filter since you’ll have it off anyhow.

  5. shakyjake48 says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:51 am

    The quick answer is yes. but there may be other factors at play. you might replace the sparkplug. It’s possible you may have some water in the fuel,put a little drygas in the tank 2 or 3oz. and add some to your gas can. Gas can go sour after about a year. I always add about 3oz of drygas to the gallon when i go fill the can.

  6. renpen says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Spraying carburetor cleaner into the carb will do little to nothing. The passages that get clogged will not be effected by the spraying. The cleaner will pass straight through the throat of the carb into the cylinder and be burned. Get a good fuel system cleaner that goes into the gas tank. The best way to clean the carb is to remove it and do it correctly. That will include a rebuild kit with new gaskets etc.

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