According to my friend John who fixes small engines, “Snow blowers can get too hot if you’re not careful.”
When I start my snow blower on a freezing winter day, it makes a loud roar that tells me it’s ready to blast through the snow.
But like an excited puppy that keeps running and running, I know my machine can overdo it.
In this article, I’ll share tips from my experience on how running the engine too long, not taking care of it, or heavy snow can make your snow blower overheat.
I’ll also tell you what signs to look for so you can avoid issues and keep your snow blower from getting too hot!
KEY TAKEAWAY
Snow blowers can overheat due to prolonged use or underlying issues in their components. (1)
Regular maintenance and following usage guidelines are crucial to prevent snow blowers from overheating.
Can Snow Blowers Overheat
You betcha snow blowers can overheat if they’ve been working too hard or have issues under the hood.
As someone who’s cleared many a driveway after knee-deep snowfalls, I can tell you firsthand how easy it is for these machines to overexert themselves.
But with some awareness of the causes and symptoms, you can help avoid this from happening to your snow blower.
Causes of overheating
The main culprits that can cause a snow blower to overheat are:
- Extended operation duration: Let’s face it, when it dumps 2 feet of the white stuff, it’s going to take awhile to get ‘er cleared. Pushing the machine past its limits can cause things to heat up too much under the hood.
- Common hot running issues: Problems like a clogged air filter, low oil, worn spark plugs or belts, or other internal issues can impede airflow and work the engine too hard trying to clear snow. Before a storm, be sure to check for basic maintenance needs using an autorenew pack.
Symptoms of a Snow Blower Overheating
Some clear signs your snow blower is overheating include:
- Loss of power or inability to start when hot: The steam just ain’t blowin’ like it was before. Once it cools down, it may restart.
- Visible smoke coming from the engine: That ain’t steam, its the smoke signals telling you something’s gone wrong under the hood!
- Melted plastic or other damage near the engine: Yikes, it’s gotten too darn hot back there! Overheating can warp parts like the gas tank.
If you notice any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is stop using the machine immediately…
… and let it fully cool before attempting repairs or checking maintenance issues…
… like a clogged air filter or faulty spark plugs.
Replacing worn spark plugs is an easy DIY fix and replacing the air filter is a must according to the owner’s manual schedule.
Both are super important to keep air flowing properly through an air cooled engine.
Speaking from experience after my mom’s snow blower overheated, a bad gas cap can also disrupt air flow.
If the tank is empty, gasoline fumes build up in the tank and that’s no bueno.
So keep advantage of the gasoline stabilizer to maximize fuel efficiency during extended snow blowing sessions, providing consistent power.
With some TLC like checking belts, fluids and keeping the muffler and cooling fins…
…cleaned and cleared of debris according to the manufacturer schedule, you can help prevent…
… your snow blower from overheating even during heavy snowfalls.
Some newfangled machines even have brushless motors for smoother operation.
Just be sure not to push old Betsy past her limits!
With a little maintenance know-how, your snow blower can stand up to whatever Old Man Winter throws at it.
Prevention Measures: Keep Your Snow Blower Cool
When battling snowbanks, it’s key to keep your snow blower running cool as a cucumber.
With some preventative steps, you can help your trusty machine avoid overheating, even during long blowing sessions.
Duration guidelines for running a snow blower
As the seasoned snow clearer, I’ve learned it’s best to take breaks if using the blower for an extended period.
Most manuals recommend running the engine for no more than an hour at a time, then letting it rest for at least five minutes between uses.
This gives things a chance to cool down under the hood.
Key steps to prevent overheating
Some important maintenance practices to help your snow blower stay cool:
- Clean debris from blower housing and air vents regularly so air can flow unrestricted through the stage snow blower.
- Inspect belts and hoses for wear, and replace as needed according to the manual. Worn parts can’t perform as efficient airflow.
- Check the oil level and use fresh gasoline treated with fuel stabilizer to maximize air cooling.
- Replace filters and spark plugs regularly per the schedule – I like to use autorenew packs so it’s one less chore! Dirty plugs and filters impede air cooling.
- Install a vented gas cap to prevent gasoline fumes from building up inside the tank and disrupting optimal air flow.
With preventative care practices like these, you can help avoid overheating situations and keep blowing snow for seasons to come!
What to Do if a Snow Blower Overheats
If your snow remover does start to run a little hot under the collar, here’s what I recommend:
- Shut it down immediately and let the engine fully cool before touching anything – them parts get mighty hot!
- Inspect for signs of damage like melted hoses or wires once cooled. Overheating can warp fragile components.
- Check for clogged airways like the blower housing, venting or underlying issues once safe to examine.
- Replace worn parts if indicated, like a faulty spark plug, fuel filter or shear pins. Broken machinery cannot cool properly.
With quick action if your snowblower does threaten to overheat, you can get it cooled off safely and determine the problem to prevent future issues. Stay cool out there!
What is a Snow Blower
A snow blower is a machine with an electric or gas-powered motor that uses rotating blades or augers to break up and throw snow.
As someone who’s cleared many a driveway, I can tell you it’s been a lifesaver for getting snow moved quickly!
A basic snow blower consists of an engine with an attached chassis that includes an inlet to collect snow and funnel it towards augers in front.
Most also feature adjustable levers to control the distance snow is thrown.
Two-stage models have extra power for larger volumes.
How does a snow blower work?
Here’s a quick run-through of how your trusty snow thrower operates:
- The motor powers rotating augers inside the metal housing that grab snow from the inlet.
- As the augers turn, they break up and compress the snow. This crushed snow is then pushed towards an impeller at the rear.
- The high-speed impeller flings the snow out through the chute at upwards of 100 miles per hour! Most throw snow 10-30 feet away.
- Controls adjust the angles of deflectors to aim where the snow will be deposited – usually off to the side so you’re not re-blowing areas you cleared!
Benefits of Snow Blower
Some key advantages a snow blower provides over shoveling include:
- Quickly clears large areas much faster than shoveling by hand – they can move multiple tons of snow per hour!
- No heavy lifting or straining your back like shoveling often does. Just drive or push the machine.
- Throws snow farther than throwing by hand so there’s less re-stacking of mounds.
- Greater clearance depth capability than most snow blowers – often over 12 inches in one pass.
So in summary, using a trusty snow blower lets you clear large spaces efficiently and easily with far less physical effort versus shoveling.
It’s easy to see why they’re a popular choice when facing heavy snowfall!
Snow Blower Types and Their Risks of Overheating
When dealing with heavy snow, it pays to understand your snowblower’s risk for overheating based on its type.
With the right techniques, you can lower the temperature under the hood.
Single-Stage Snow Blowers
- Tend to overheat more quickly due to their smaller size
- Having a less massive engine block and impeller, heat disperses more slowly
- Clearing large volumes rapidly can overtax the small machine
- Require more diligent clearing and frequent rests
- Taking breaks every 30 minutes lets the single-stage blowers cool off adequately
Two-Stage Snow Blowers
- Have a heavier duty build with more metal mass to retain and diffuse heat
- The added heft means heat spreads out in the larger area
- Staying within clearance time guidelines reduces overheating risk
- Following hourly intervals between use keeps two-stage blowers from overheating
Tips for Preventing Overheating in Different Snow Conditions
Just as snow types vary, your clearing approach should too (2):
- Heavy, wet snow packs more densely and requires lower speeds to clear without clogging – take more frequent breaks when tackling wet snowfall
- Lighter powdery snow blows clear more easily, but pile up depth – adjust chute position to avoid re-blowing already plowed areas
- Going uphill or through unshoveled paths adds strain – take wider paths if possible
- Adjust blowing technique based on local averages – annual snowbelt locations require different handling than lowfall zones.
Keeping these machine traits and conditions in mind helps maximize safety and prevent over-taxing your snowblower during any type of snow event.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent clogging of wet heavy snow?
When blowing heavy, wet snow, go slower than usual and take more frequent breaks to prevent clogs.
Consider pre-treating the snow with calcium chloride or kitty litter to help dry it out if clogging persists.
What should I do if my snowblower throws snow backwards?
Check that the discharge chute is securely in place and aimed properly.
Also ensure the skid shoes are adjusted correctly and aren’t causing the auger to pick up snow too close to the machine itself.
Can I use my snowblower to clear packed ice?
It’s not recommended to use a snowblower on thick sheets of ice as it could damage the equipment.
For ice, use a de-icing liquid, heat torch, or ice chipper/scrapper instead to break it up before removal.
How long will a set of shear pins typically last?
Heavy duty steel shear pins on a snowblower usually last 1-3 seasons on average, depending on operating conditions and potential impacts with hard objects.
Use original equipment manufacturer pins for proper strength and replacement as needed.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, snow blowers can definitely overheat if not used properly.
Here are the key things to remember:
- INSPECT YOUR MACHINE – Regularly check the belts, wires, and moving parts. Replace worn parts. Keep vents and intakes clear of debris.
- DON’T OVERWORK THE ENGINE – Take breaks when clearing heavy snow. Don’t run it at full throttle for too long.
- WATCH THE TEMP GAUGE – If it creeps up, shut off the engine and let it cool.
- MAINTAIN THE ENGINE – Change the oil and plugs regularly. Replace air filters when needed.
- USE PROPER FUEL – Use only the recommended gasoline/oil mix. Old gas can cause issues.
- WORK SLOWLY IN HEAVY SNOW – Go at a steady pace and don’t force the machine.
- CLEAN AFTER USE – Clear any packed snow and wipe down the housing.
Following these tips will help prevent overheating issues and keep your snow blower running smoothly all winter.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
References
- https://www.lawnmowerfixed.com/snowblower-troubleshooting/snowblower-loses-power-when-hot/
- https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/how-to-prevent-your-snowblower-from-overheating/
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