Snow Blower Will Only Run on Full Choke

Yes friends, it is that nasty stuff called ethanol. In this video we are going to clean the gas tank and carburetor. This is a Cub Cadet 420 cc Pro H series machine.

[@ChavezOG]

Thank you. My Cub Cadet was surging terribly. I cleaned the pilot jet as you did and now it's running as it should. I always use non ethanol gas and it still was clogged. Nothing like $4 junk gas!

[@richardspaulding5035]

This year we just had our first storm. The machine a year later started on the first pull and still running good.

[@topc5826]

Thanks, it was a helpful video. I have similar brand and model, just a step or two down from your Top-of-the line one. I have a 3-stage 26 in model with the joystick chute control and similar model engine, headlight. No heated handles or electric control chute, but electric start. I bought it around 2015, used it the next day for 12-16" snowfall removal and then used it maybe three more times, before it sat with no fuel in tank or carb until 2024-JAN-19 snowstorm. It started right up, but the low speed idle surges. It ran fine at open throttle, but makes the lean popping sounds if throttle is set lower, idle surging. I am sure carb needs low idle jet (the black plastic one you marked the screw ) and probably the main jet too. Watched your vid and others, for reference. Looks like a no-brainer. Thank you again for your posting. Very well done. I did not see, at first, that you removed the distribution tube when you removed the jet from the above the bowl. I did see, later, you showing it and checking the holes along the sides of the tube. I did not see you check the hole that goes through the length of the tube. Other vids I've watched the person use a wire, similar to what you used, to clear that opening. I have been wondering if you had cleared that opening and just didn't show it in the video?

[@richardspaulding5035]

It has been a couple of years as I don't remember exactly what I did. What I have been doing however is at the end of each season I have drained the gas, added a quart or so of ethanol free gas, then would run the machine for a few minutes before storing it for the summer. Last 3 seasons since doing that it has started on first or second pull and runs great.

[@scottl5785]

I'm so glad I watched this. What a PITA. I'm buying a couple cans of seafoam and will run mine all winter on choke before I spend this much time screwing with my nearly brand new machine. Time is too valuable! I had a cub cadet lawn and garden tractor for 22yrs and not once had to take the carb off. My snow blower hasn't even got a full winter on it yet and it runs like shit. Not happy.

[@richardspaulding5035]

I also have Cub Cadet lawn tractor as it is 4 years old and have had no problems. I think it is because I use the lawn tractor more often. Thanks for watching.

[@legendbuilds5380]

@@richardspaulding5035 I bought a can of sea foam today, dumped some in and ran it a bit. Hoping for the best, next time I need to run it. It sure starts hard. Good thing it has an electric start option or I'd pull on it all day.

[@brianpace2339]

Guys use small engine fuel. Stays fresh for 2 years in the tank and 5 years in he can. Discovered this fuel when bought my Cub in 2016 and all I use in my small engines. Inexpensive insurance when you need your equipment to run after being in storage longer than 6 months or more.

[@richardspaulding5035]

@@brianpace2339 As it happened I was just in the power equipment store that I originally purchased the machine. I was there to pick up a belt for a friend and I saw the 4 cycle ethanol free gas. It was a little too expensive I thought at the time. However now that you made me think, I only use 2 or 3 gallons a season so it makes a lot of sense. I am still on my first tank or gas this season, I am going to run it out and add that stuff to finish the season. Great idea thank you muchly. Thanks for watching.

[@cardo1111]

Good vid Rick, a common problem this time of year. We have had some nearly none existent winters here in the NY metro burbs in recent years as well.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks cardo; Isn't global warming wonderful ?

[@434551]

Where I work we use AVGAS--aviation fuel--for the small engines--it does not have ethanol as far as I know. Just be careful though, in my region it is dyed blue; it could be mistaken for mix even though it will be paler. I had to check it against a sample in clean washer fluid jugs the other day. We use 2cycle which is also blue so it is something to be mindful of.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thank you for that information. I will most certainly keep it in mind.

[@PainterD54]

I found that Stabil isn't a long term solution for storing gas. I found out it settles to the bottom of the float bowl into a powdery white substance the plugs up every passage and needle journal in your carb. That's when someone told me about Seafoam for a fuel stabilizer and how it also is a carburator cleaner when you come across a carb that has been neglected and sitting with old gas in it. Since then I've been using it for the past 25 years and never looked back. My motorcycles and lawn mowers always start right up in the spring like I just shut them down the day before. I never have to clean carbs again. Use Seafoam and not Stabil.

[@richardspaulding5035]

I have been running ethanol free gas before storing for the winter, been getting good results.

[@jahanzed]

How do you use seafoam with regular gas, in what proportion? I used sea foam with regular gas and started having carb issues after two seasons...maybe I didnt put enough sea foam in?

[@richardspaulding5035]

@@jahanzed Thanks for the question jahanzed. I have only tried Seafoam once as I recall. The instructions I believe are on the can. I do not remember how I mixed it. I do remember it did nothing for my machine. It did not seem to harm or help anything.

[@BADD400]

Great video Rick. Hey FYI drain the gas in the carb and use stabilize stuff in the tank for storage

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks; Good suggestion. I most certainly will do that this time.

[@user-gf5oe6qv3c]

Спасибо! Очень помогли, мой снегоуборщик после этих манипуляций ожил. Главное теперь сливать топливо после сезона.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Спасибо, я не говорю по-русски, я использовал компьютер, чтобы перевести ваш комментарий. Я рад, что вы нашли видео полезным.

[@user-gf5oe6qv3c]

@@richardspaulding5035 Richard, shoot more of these instructional videos, thank you again!

[@richardspaulding5035]

Just a quick update friends: Been through my 3rd storm this season and the machine is still running fine.

[@stonks4445]

i have a fix for that, with the fuel. it worked with my snowblower, you can keep this gas in it all year long, it’s engineered fuel, starts in 1 or 2 pulls. i’m pretty sure it’s called true fuel (the brand) makes your machine run great. not sure if you have that where you live but i have it where i live.

[@stonks4445]

and make sure to get the grey bottle/can. that’s for the snowblower/lawnmower engines. the turquoise bottle is for weed eaters and leaf blowers

[@richardspaulding5035]

@@stonks4445 Thanks; I take it the grey bottle is for 4 cycle engines.

[@stonks4445]

@@richardspaulding5035 yes sir

[@jahanzed]

@@stonks4445 Do you recommend to ALWAYS use trufuel or just when you want to store the snowblower in off season? Thanks.

[@johnstrathman1949]

SuperGood! Thanks rick!

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks John,

[@viperexpress305]

My cub cadet x2 is only 3 years old had the same problem. I cleaned the carb & put in a fuel filter. Cub cadet was to cheap to put in a fuel filter ? 🍺👍🤔

[@richardspaulding5035]

Yea, I think I was on my 3rd season as well

[@fitch8363]

I have had non-ethanol fuel in my 28" Columbia snow blower that has the same basic engine and carb 12 years. I had a serging problem and drilled out the jet in the black plastic holder that was under the idle screw with a #74 drill which fixed it. (It's a common problem and an easy fix.) If you can't find non ethanol fuel at gas stations, try some 100LL aviation gas. It doesn't have ethanol in it either. We have a lot of things that don't like ethanol fuel - chainsaws, weed whackers, pole saws, pressure washers, snow blowers, to name a few. I think you treated the symptom but not the cause.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks for the advice, I apologize for taking so long to respond.

[@dashcammer4322]

In this state, the pumps have to be labeled with ethanol content %. I just buy ethanol-free premium for my car and all power equipment.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks ; What state are you in? Do you know of any companies that sell Ethanol free premium in Massachusetts? thanks for watching my channel.

[@tonymenchaca3293]

I had remove float bowl cover and spray it clean with som starter fluid. Once I put it back on, it works fine.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks Tony; I will give that a try next time i have a problem.

[@ronaldcoleman7343]

run carb dry at end of season .i have a 15 year old mtd and i do this every year with no problems starting blower by the way i bought this used and first owner did same thing i have been doing .

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks for the tip

[@jclarkj6]

HELPFUL Thx

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thank You I am glad it was.

[@robertrab2563]

The thing i don't like on the club cadet snowblower that it doesn't have a gas shutoff so after you used the snowblower to clean your driveway you can't shutoff the gas an run it till the carbrator runs out of gas so that way the carbrator don't gum up then at the end of winter all you have to do is drain out the gas tank it's ready for next winter. So I'm going to put a gas shutoff on my snowblower an put new gas line as well

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks, I put a fuel shut off on my lawn tractor, never occurred to me to do the same for the snow blower.

[@louindorato6855]

Would it be the same for a pressure washer ?

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks for the question Lou. I think any gasoline engine allowed to sit for an extended period with ethanal gas may be subject to problems. If the machine gets regular use it should be ok. I use the same gas in my tractor however I use it 2 or 3 times a week year round. I have never had a problem with it. My snow blower on the other hand had been started only once in 2 years. I was just asking for trouble. Thanks for watching my channel.

[@louindorato6855]

@@richardspaulding5035 ty for the knowledge and keep up the great videos Rich

[@richardspaulding5035]

@@louindorato6855 Thanks again Lou

[@victoryak86]

You didn’t remove the disrptribution tube after taking out the mai

[@richardspaulding5035]

You lost me friend?

[@victoryak86]

@@richardspaulding5035 I jumped the gun. That’s why the comment was incomplete 😑. I forgot to delete it. My bad bud. Good video.

[@richardspaulding5035]

@@victoryak86 been there thanks

[@wileecoyote5749]

Cub Cadet now has EFI

[@richardspaulding5035]

Yea; I wish I could have waited that out and got one of those. Was not yet available when I purchase this one. Thanks for rubbing it in (LOL) and thanks for watching.

[@lizardking8388]

Don't use non-ethanol fuel. There are several places you can get non-ethanol fuel in MA. What's your zip, I'll tell you which is closest to you.

[@richardspaulding5035]

Thanks for that information. I will check it out

[@garyt7830]

3x Cub Cadets are Junk . do not perform well in most kinds of snow

[@richardspaulding5035]

lol, I wish you told me about that before I spent 3 grand on the thing! With the heavy wet snow we get here in Sothern New England you are correct. However, I have learned to cope. The machine will move the snow pretty well for about a 1/2 hour or so then starts to ice up and clog. What I do is just clear enough snow immediately after the storm to get a vehicle out. Usually, the evening after the storm the temperature dramatically drops and the snow freezes overnight. That is when the machine is at its best. The morning after It cuts throw that frozen snow like butter and throws it out as a fine powder.