Snowblowers have been around for almost a hundred years now, though they’ve changed a lot since then. The first one was invented in Saint-Léonard-de-Port-Maurice, Quebec, in 1925 by Arthur Sicard.
How often do you need to change a snowblower spark plug? I’ll explain everything you need to know about these crucial wintertime machines so you can clear your path.
Manufacturers recommend you replace the spark plug on a snowblower once per season, or after 100 hours of use. Long-life platinum and iridium spark plugs have a factory service interval of up to 100,000 miles, or longer provided the engine isn’t using oil or doesn’t spend a lot of time idling. After 20-30 hours of use, clean the spark plug and examine its gap.
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How Often To Change Spark Plug On Snowblower
While most manufacturers agree that you need to replace the spark plug on your snowblower after every hundred hours of use, the exact amount of time you should go between inspections varies significantly.
Some companies say that you should stop and take a quick look at the spark plug every five hours. Meanwhile, others insist you can go fifteen to thirty hours before you need to take a look.
Confusingly, some manufacturers only tell consumers to inspect once per season. However, that doesn’t take into account how much you use the machine.
Which timeframe is the correct answer? I couldn’t find a definitive authority on the subject.
I suggest taking one of two routes. Either stick to the owners’ manual and do exactly what the manufacturer recommends for your make and model, or go with the shortest, five-hour duration.
After all, listening to the product’s maker is sensible, and so is doing more than the minimum necessary to maintain your equipment.
How Long Does A Spark Plug Last In A Snowblower
The amount of time your spark plugs last in your snowblower depends on how you use them. For example, if you are a homeowner in an area that rarely sees more than an inch or two of snow, your spark plugs could (in theory) last for years.
Alternately, if you are an industrious individual who clears driveways as a side hustle, a hundred hours of work might only be a couple of weeks for you.
Most spark plugs have a factory service interval of 100,000 miles, though some may be as much as 120,000 miles.
Long-life platinum and iridium spark plugs will typically last up to 100,000 miles, or longer provided the engine isn’t using oil or doesn’t spend a lot of time idling.”
How To Tell If Snowblower Spark Plug Is Bad
The most obvious way to tell if your spark plug is bad is to check it. Most spark plug problems are visually evident. However, there are other warning signs to watch out for.
The list below includes the top five indications that you need to check your spark plug immediately.
- The plug looks wrong when you check it. You should take any evidence of corrosion, discoloration, oil, or any irregularities seriously.
- If your engine doesn’t start or takes numerous attempts to spark, that might indicate that the spark plug isn’t conducting electricity. When the spark plug doesn’t connect, a quick change is often the simplest solution.
- Are you burning through fuel too fast? Excess fuel use is sometimes an unexpected symptom of spark plug problems.
- The loudest warning sign of a lousy snowblower spark plugs is a misfire. If this happens, turn off the machine immediately and inspect your spark plug.
- Finally, stalling out can have several causes, like a leak in the fuel line or a blocked gas cap vent, but it can also result from a bad spark plug.
Ways To Make Spark Plug In Snowblower Last Longer
While it’s generally a good idea to change your spark plugs often, you can save a lot of money by reconditioning your old spark plugs.
Not only is it good for your wallet, but you can feel good about helping reduce waste as well. Best of all, it’s easy and quick.
When you remove an old spark plug, it will probably have some buildup on it. This is frequently the cause of failure for the part.
However, according to Eastwood Garage, you can use a media blaster to recondition the electrode by blasting off the residue. Doing this will usually allow you to reuse the spark plug.
Before placing a new or refurbished plug in the receptacle, you should always blow out any debris inside. You can do this with canned air.
Reducing any dust or other mess inside the cavity will help the spark plug function. Additionally, it would be best if you took the time to treat the threads with an anti-seize compound.
You’ll have an easier tie removing it in the future. However, it is essential to avoid getting anti-seize on the electrode.
Finally, you can use a carburetor cleaner to spot clean the areas around the electrode. Doing this washes away any ceramic dust or other leftover gunk from the manufacturing process.
Plus, carb cleaner will help you remove any of the anti-seize you got on the working tip.
Helpful Tips To Know About How Often A Snowblower Spark Plug Needs To Be Changed
Changing a spark plug is quick, simple, and a skill every snowblower owner should have.
When you perform essential maintenance and repairs at home, you save money on parts and labor. Moreover, you can get back to work a lot faster when you DIY.
The list below includes helpful tips to know about how often a snowblower spark plug needs to be changed.
- The spark plug is located on the back of the engine. It looks like a wire with an L-shaped boot or cap on the end of it connected directly to the machine. You may need to remove a screw-on plate to access your spark plug.
- The gap between your electrodes is everything. You can find all the information you need on spark plug gaps in your owner’s manual. Typically, it’s about 0.03 inches or 0.76 millimeters, but this can vary. Luckily, you can grab a spark plug gap tool from any hardware store and adjust them manually at home.
- Pulling a spark plug boot off the engine can be difficult. Don’t be afraid to give it a hard yank. Once you have the spark plug, you can inspect, refurbish or change it as needed.
Final Thoughts
Snowblower maintenance is crucial. Any machine exposed to freezing temperatures, precipitation, and possibly even salt from the roads is going to need more TLC than your average tool.
If you don’t inspect and swap your spark plugs regularly, you might end up shoveling manually instead. Check on it after every few hours of work, and make sure you switch older spark plugs out of your snowblower after a hundred hours or anytime they show signs of damage.
Don’t forget to inspect and pre-clean new plugs and recondition old ones that aren’t fully used up. By doing this, your plugs will last longer, and you’ll always have a spare when you need it most.