SNOWBLOWER TUNE UP CHECKPOINTS

CHANGING THE OIL

MVS Ottawa will drain the old oil and replace with manufacturer recommended oil. If your snowblower is equipped with an oil filter, this will be changed as well. The oil change is included with every tune up package.

CLEANING THE CARBURETOR

Regular carburetor maintenance is a great way to save headaches and hassle down the road.

Most carburetor problems are caused by a variety of blockages from things like dirt, varnish, and gasoline deposits. It’s easy for the main fuel jet to become blocked, but our Carburetor Cleaning Process can fix that. Regular carburetor maintenance will help you avoid problems in the future.

Cleaning the main fuel jet (located in your carburetor’s fuel bowl nut) with carburetor cleaner and compressed air to blow out loosened debris, is just part of the process. Carburetor cleaner dissolves deposits in your carburetor and choke, and consequently can reduce your need for maintenance, repair, and downtime, while improve starting for all 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines.

After cleaning the carburetor, another key step for some float-type carburetors is adjusting the idle speed and mixture.

Sometimes, if your carburetor is gummed up beyond simple maintenance, it may be necessary to rebuild or overhaul it. Carburetor problems are often at the root of many issues with outdoor power equipment. In extreme cases, the carburetor will be placed in our Ultrasonic cleaner. Replacement carburetors are also available.

By performing carburetor repair as part of our Tune Up Service, we can help ensure that your small engine is healthy and running right.

Additional labour time may be required.

INSPECTING THE BELTS

MVS Ottawa will remove the cover, and inspect the belt for cracks and wear. With the customers permission, the belt(s) will be replaced if necessary.

Most belts will stretch during operation. Occasionally check or adjust the pulleys to make sure the belt is tight.

CHECKING THE SCRAPER BAR AND SKID SHOES

Scraper Bar and Skid Shoes

The scraper bar’s function is to scrape the snow off your driveway into the auger. Over time, scraper bars will wear down and need to be replaced.

If it wears down too far, the snow blower housing can be damaged.

Skid shoes are also a wear item and will need to be replaced over time. With the customers permission, these can be replaced if necessary.

Some skid shoes are reversible, so we may be able to just flip them over if one side is worn. .

CHANGING THE SPARK PLUG

The spark plug should be inspected after every season, and replaced as needed. This is included with every tune up package.

REPLACING THE SHEAR PINS

With the snow blower turned off and on a level surface, look at the auger. The shear pins (shear bolts) are used to connect the auger to the gear case. They are one of the few parts on any outdoor power equipment that is meant to break. It’s a safety feature that breaks when the auger and gear case become over torqued.

MVS Ottawa will inspect the shear pins. If they are broken or missing, we will recommend replacing them. In most cases they fall out on their own after they break.

When installing new shear pins, MVS Ottawa will make every effort to use exact replacement (OEM) shear pins.

We suggest you have a few spare sets of shear pins on hand for easy replacement during the season. You wouldn’t want to get stuck in the middle of a snow storm with a broken shear pin and no replacement. You can request additional pins.

REPLACING THE STARTER CORD

Replacing the Starter Cord

Check the pull cord to make sure it’s not cut or frayed. If it looks like it should be replaced, now is the time to do it.

FUEL MAINTENANCE

Draining the fuel from your tank and carburetor is a safeguard against the formation of varnish deposits that can occur when old fuel is left in a small engine. We will remove, dismantle and thoroughly clean your carburetor. High Octane gas must be used to prevent varnish build up in the carburetor. This is also available through our Seasonal Storage Service.

TIGHTENING THE BOLTS

Finishing up the visual inspection, we will check and make sure all the nuts and bolts are tight. A snow blower can vibrate quite a bit during use. This can cause the nuts and bolts to become loose. We will tighten up any loose nuts and bolts, so nothing falls off while it’s operating.

BEST TIME FOR SNOWBLOWER MAINTENANCE

It’s recommended that maintenance be done before you store your snow blower for the off season. So when the weather service starts talking about a storm front coming in next season, you’ll be ready.

If you didn’t service your snow blower at the end of last season, get your snow blower serviced before this years winter season starts. We can provide you with that peace of mind knowing that you will be able to easily clear your driveway and walk ways with a well-maintained snow blowing machine. We take pride in our snow blower repair services in Ottawa and our skilled team can have your snow blower back in your hands quickly and ready to work overtime to handle all the fluffy white stuff that winter can possibly throw at it!