How to Adjust a Snow Blower Carburetor

What You'll Need
Phillips Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver
Adjustable Wrench
Soft Brush
What You'll Need
Phillips Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver
Adjustable Wrench
Soft Brush

A snowblower carburetor is responsible for maintaining and combining the air and fuel ratio of your snowblower’s engine. You can improve the power and fuel efficiency of your snowblower engine by adjusting its idle screw, low speed needle and choke valve. Below are the materials that you will need along with the step-by-step procedure on how to adjust a snowblower carburetor.


Step 1-Remove the Air Filter

The air filter is a device with pleated screens rectangular in shape sitting on top of the carburetor. The air filter is your first line of defense against air contaminants such as road salt, tiny dirt pieces, dust and pollen. Remove the screws on the clamps that hold the air filter to the carburetor using a screwdriver to remove the air filter. Set the air filter aside.


Step 2- Check the Carburetor

Removing the air filter will reveal if your carburetor needs a simple adjustment or replacement. Corrosion is one of the major signs that you need to replace your carburetor so check for rust spots and other signs of corrosion.


Step 3-Adjust the Idle Screw

The idle screw is responsible for controlling how much air enters the carburetor once you apply the throttle of the snowblower. Reducing the amount of air that enters the carburetor is simply done by turning the idle screw clockwise. On the other hand, increasing the amount of air that enters the carburetor is done by turning the idle screw counter-clockwise.

Make the necessary adjustments to the idle screw. Turning the idle screw clockwise lessens the power of the snowblower engine and decreases its fuel consumption. Turning the idle screw counter-clockwise increases the power of the snowblower engine as well as its fuel consumption. Make the desired adjustments for the power and fuel consumption of your snowblower engine.


Step 4-Adjust the Low-speed Needle

Adjust the low-speed needle using the adjustable wrench. The low-speed needle can be found within the fuel intake area of the carburetor. Turning the low-speed needle counter-clockwise will increase the idle speed of your snowblower’s engine. On the other hand, turning the low-speed needle clockwise will decrease the idle speed of your snowblower’s engine. Make the necessary adjustment to set the desired engine idle-speed of your snowblower.


Step 5-Adjust the Choke Valve

Using a Phillips screwdriver, adjust the choke of the carburetor. The chalk valve screw is a Phillips screw with a small spring on it. Increase the power of your snowblower engine by loosening the screw of the choke valve. This will allow the choke valve to open wider and increase the amount of fuel intake. Tightening the screw of the choke valve decreases the power of your snowblower engine.


Step 6-Re-attach the Air Filter

The last step in adjusting your snowblower carburetor is to re-attach the air filter that you removed in step 1. Before re-attaching the air filter make sure to clean it using a soft brush to remove the dirt and dust on its pleated screens.