How to Prepare Your Snowblower Before Michigan Snowfall
A pre-season snowblower checklist for southeast Michigan, covering fuel, oil, spark plug, shear pins, belts, and a test run before the first storm.
In southeast Michigan, the first real snow can show up any time from November on, and it rarely waits for a convenient weekend. A snowblower that sat since last March is much easier to deal with on a dry fall afternoon than at 6 a.m. with the driveway buried.
This checklist covers what to look at before the season. Your owner’s manual has the specifics for your machine.
Safety first
- Do all checks with the engine off and cool, the key removed (electric-start models), and the spark plug wire disconnected.
- Never put your hands in the chute or auger housing, even with the engine off. Use the clearing tool that came with the machine or a stick. Stored tension in the auger or impeller can move suddenly.
- Fuel outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, never with the engine running or hot.
1. Deal with last season’s fuel
If gas was left in the tank over the summer, it’s probably stale. Old fuel is one of the most common reasons a snowblower won’t start in the fall. Drain it into an approved container and refill with fresh fuel. Many people add fuel stabilizer to every can of gas used for seasonal equipment.
2. Check the oil
Most snowblowers have four-stroke engines. Check the oil on level ground. If it wasn’t changed at the end of last season, fall is a good time. Use the oil type and viscosity the manual specifies; some manuals call for a different viscosity in cold weather. Two-stroke snowblowers don’t have a separate oil fill. They need the correct fuel-oil mix instead.
3. Look at the spark plug
A fouled or worn plug makes cold starts harder. Inspect it and replace it with the specified type if it looks worn or carbon-coated.
4. Inspect the auger, shear pins, and belts
With the spark plug wire disconnected:
- Shear pins are designed to break if the auger hits something solid like a frozen newspaper or a chunk of ice. Make sure they’re intact, and keep a few spares of the correct type on hand. Don’t substitute ordinary bolts; they defeat the purpose and can lead to more expensive damage.
- Belts that are cracked, glazed, or frayed can slip or snap under load.
- Look for loose bolts and damage to the scraper bar and skid shoes.
5. Check tires and controls
Check tire pressure on wheeled models and make sure the controls, chute rotation, and drive engage smoothly.
6. Do a test run
Once everything checks out, start it outdoors and let it run for a few minutes. Engage the auger and drive briefly. It’s much better to find a problem now than during the first storm.
When to bring it in
If it won’t start with fresh fuel, surges or stalls, the auger doesn’t turn when engaged, or you hear grinding or squealing, it’s time for a repair. Fall is also the best time to schedule it, before everyone else’s snowblower quits at once.
Call or text Westland Small Engine Repair at (734) 400-0790 with the brand and what it’s doing. More on the service is on the snowblower repair page.
This article is general guidance. Always follow the owner’s manual for your specific machine.