Honda Snowblower Carburetor

[c3po]

I have the Honda 928S Snowblower and I have checked the linkage that sets the choke and fast idle, and it is fine.

We had a foot of snow yesterday and I had to keep it at choke the whole time, if I put it in fast idle it did not have enough power.

I have read that these Honda Carburetors can get some dirt in the jets, do I have to take this apart or since the tank is half full can I run some type of carburetor cleaner.

I should also mention that this machine does not have an air cleaner.

How come snowblowers do not have air cleaners, is it because they would get wet in some way.

I am betting that we will not get another snowstorm in the Northeast, this 1 was a surprise, so until the warm weather hits I do not want to take the carburetor apart just in case we get another snowstorm.

 

[Johnny]

Go get some Gumout REGANE or some Chevron Techron, pour in about two ounces in the fuel tank full of gas and fire it up and let it run for about 30 minutes.

If you have not used the blower much it probably has some deposits in the carb.

 

[c3po]

Thanks Johnny, down here in Maryland I am lucky if I use this snowblower 2 times in the winter.

I would bet this machine only sees 2 hours a year.

I only add gas when I am going to use the machine, and yesterday I turned the fuel valve off and let it run until it stopped since it had run the leftover gas out of the carburetor.

I never leave any gas sitting in the carburetor since I do not know when I will be using it again.

Gumout Regane, can this be picked up at NAPA or CarQuest.

 

[Johnny]

CarQuest probably has both REGANE or the Techron. Either will work fine.

 

[meep]

the tiniest particles have restricted the primary on my 6hp push mower honda. It has clogged from fuel debris several times; just installed a filter last fall. Hope the chemical works for you.

M

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: meep
the tiniest particles have restricted the primary on my 6hp push mower honda. It has clogged from fuel debris several times; just installed a filter last fall. Hope the chemical works for you.

M


I have a fuel filter on my Briggs&Stratton lawn mower, I wonder how hard it would be for me to put a fuel filter on this snowblower, it might not be that easy.

 

[Johnny]

Here is something else I do with my Honda, or any other snowblower. Since they do not have an air filter on them, when I get through using it, I pull the choke back out to close off the carb.

 

[charbaby]

c3po,
My way of thinking about snow blowers not using air filters is:
1) During the winter time, there is less polutants in the air. Higher off of the ground compared to, lets say, a push mower. Although a riding mower/tractor would discount that theory.
2) No grass, dirt, dust, cotton and anything else that would plug a lawn mower air filter.
3) The tuning of the carb for winter weather, may need more air to stay running properly. This may sound odd since colder air is more dense.

 

[Cmarti]

In addition to running it out of fuel, my 2005 6.5 Honda generator has a drain in the bowl,to remove the last gas before storage. On my snowblower with a Tecumseh, I drop the bowl and dump for summer storage.

If gum/varnish, a solvent will work. However, sand, grit or shaving will not dissolve and needs to be physically removed. I have not had my Honda carb apart, but can't imagine the GC/GS series too difficult. That being said, I have been in Motorcycle and ATV carbs for two decades. Get an exploded parts view off the internet to help you with reassembly if you are new to carbs.

Good luck, and pray for spring!

 

[UNC038]

The reason snow blowers don't have air filters is because the filter would ice over with blowing snow.

 

[demarpaint]

After you get the carb cleaned with the carb cleaner, start dosing the gas with MMO. The MMO will keep the carb free of varnish and other [censored]. If there is still snow around get the engine good and warm, then while under load adjust the carb, so that the engine can run with the choke open. What I do is run the machine into a nicely packed pile of snow, with a partner holding the levers that operate the auger and wheels I set the carb adjustment while the machine is under load and at full throttle. Make sure the engine is fully warmed up, and as always watch your hands, clothes etc.

Get an inline fuel filter for a lawn mower and install it inline, costs a few $$$ well worth it!

If you really want to clean the carb fast disconnect the fuel line and spray carb cleaner into the fuel bowl and let it sit a little while, then start the engine and spray carb cleaner into the carb while the engine is running.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
After you get the carb cleaned with the carb cleaner, start dosing the gas with MMO. The MMO will keep the carb free of varnish and other [censored]. If there is still snow around get the engine good and warm, then while under load adjust the carb, so that the engine can run with the choke open. What I do is run the machine into a nicely packed pile of snow, with a partner holding the levers that operate the auger and wheels I set the carb adjustment while the machine is under load and at full throttle. Make sure the engine is fully warmed up, and as always watch your hands, clothes etc.

Get an inline fuel filter for a lawn mower and install it inline, costs a few $$$ well worth it!

If you really want to clean the carb fast disconnect the fuel line and spray carb cleaner into the fuel bowl and let it sit a little while, then start the engine and spray carb cleaner into the carb while the engine is running.


Looking back, I should have put a fuel filter on when I got the machine. This is on my to do list before I put it away in the shed.

 

[Cmarti]

Looking back, I should have put a fuel filter on when I got the machine. This is on my to do list before I put it away in the shed. [/quote]

It is tough to get a filter in line on a snowblower, not much slack! I ended up running new line on my craftsman and said some bad words

I have been putting the flat 1/2 inch fiber filters in everything, as my outdoor equipment works in and are fueled in gritty conditions.

I run seafoam in all gas (2 & 4 cycle) as it stabilizes and I think it is easier on gaskets and O rings than other solvents. The MMO is as good a choice. If not replacing gaskets and O rings when cleaning or soaking a carb, we used WD 40 to clean carbs in my uncle's shop. Toulene, butane, and acetone play heck with plastic and rubber gaskets/Orings. One other gentle abrasive cleaner to scrub or blast with is baking soda. It will disolve, while other abrasives do not and will plug jets.

I hope solvent use works for you, as you have taken care when storing. However, often carb removal is required for seriously gummed snow blowers. People fear taking them off, and they are really a fairly simple apparatus.

Good luck. 55 degrees here in OH. I hope I can put my snowblower away soon.

 

[c3po]

I went out and looked at the fuel line, and it would be a tough job.

I picked up 2 bottles of Redline Fuel System Cleaner. I am going too put in 2 ounces and just let the machine run and see what happens. If it does not work I can either have my buddy who was a lawn mower mechanic come over in the spring or summer and take the carb apart and clean it.

My plan now is too run 2 ounces of the Redline at the end of the season, or will a small dose of MMO keep it clean.

I have to be on top of the Maintenance because here in the east if we get a big snow, it is a heavy wet snow most of the time.

My Dad's driveway is 120 feet long and near the top of the driveway it is 28 feet wide, also near the top of the driveway he has a 4 foot high retaining wall. The only thing I will shovel is a walkway.

 

[Maritime Storm]

97 GTP gave you the right answer on the air filter question. One thing you may want to check is the carb to intake and intake to head mounting bolts to make sure they are tight. I've seen 2 Tecumseh Flat heads this year with carb hanging by the heatshield because the owners didn't check them when the machines started running on choke only.

 

[demarpaint]

I guess I would have to look at a Honda powered snow blower. I have a Craftsman snow blower 5 hp and installed an inline fuel filter. I have an 11 HP Honda Power Washer and installed an inline filter as well. All I did was pinch the fuel line with needle nose vice grip pliers, I was too lazy to empty the tank. Then I cut the fuel line and put in a fuel filter about the size of a pen cap. No problems at all.

If need be, install a new fuel line and re-route it. HTH

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: Maritime Storm
97 GTP gave you the right answer on the air filter question. One thing you may want to check is the carb to intake and intake to head mounting bolts to make sure they are tight. I've seen 2 Tecumseh Flat heads this year with carb hanging by the heatshield because the owners didn't check them when the machines started running on choke only.


Thanks, I will check that since I was running on choke the whole time.

This machine does not get used much, but when we get a snowstorm, the snow is usually wet or if its dry some of it melts slightly on the driveway before accumulating, either way it is wet.