Snowblower not throwing snow: Common Causes & How to Fix
1Snowblower Shear Bolt and Nut
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The shear bolt is a metal bolt that goes through the auger axle sleeve, locking it to the auger drive axle. Shear bolts are made to snap in half if the auger hits a rock or big chunk of ice. This prevents damage to the engine. If the shear bolt breaks, the auger can't turn anymore. Check the shear bolt to see if it is broken in two. If you see the shear bolt is busted, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The shear bolt acts like a safety device - it gives way so other parts don't get wrecked. Look for a clean break on it. If the bolt is intact, the issue is somewhere else. But if the shear bolt is snapped, putting in a new one will let you use the auger again. It's designed to break when something jams the auger.
How to Replace Snowblower Shear Bolt and Nut
- Gather supplies - You will need replacement shear bolts and nuts designed for your snowblower model. Have a socket set ready.
- Locate shear bolts - Shear bolts connect the augers to the auger shaft. Consult your owner's manual for exact location.
- Remove auger belt cover - Take off the belt cover to access the auger shaft and bolts.
- Support auger - Have someone support the weight of the auger while you remove the old shear bolts.
- Remove old bolts - Use a socket to unscrew the damaged shear bolt and nut from the auger shaft.
- Install new bolts - Thread the new replacement shear bolt through the auger and shaft. Tighten the nut securely.
- Replace all bolts - Make sure to replace all shear bolts, not just the broken one.
- Replace cover - Put the auger belt cover back on.
- Test operation - Run the snowblower briefly to ensure the augers turn properly before fully operating.
2Snowblower Shear Pin
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The shear pin is a small metal pin that goes through the auger axle sleeve, locking it to the auger drive axle. Shear pins are made to snap in half if the auger hits a rock or big chunk of ice. This prevents engine damage. If the shear pin breaks, the auger can't spin anymore. Check the shear pin to see if it cracked in two. If you see the shear pin is busted, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The shear pin acts like a safety device - it gives way so other parts don't get wrecked. Look for a clean break on it. If the pin is intact, the problem is something else. But if the shear pin is snapped, putting in a new one will let you use the auger again. It's designed to break when something jams the auger.
How to Replace Snowblower Shear Pin
- Gather supplies - Have replacement shear pins designed specifically for your snowblower model ready. You may need pliers.
- Locate shear pins - Shear pins are found connecting the augers to the auger shaft. Check your owner's manual.
- Remove auger belt cover - Take off the belt cover to access the auger shaft and shear pins.
- Support auger - Have someone support the weight of the auger while you remove the old shear pin.
- Remove old pin - Use pliers to remove any broken ends of the old shear pin from the auger shaft.
- Install new pin - Insert the new replacement shear pin through the auger and shaft. Push it in completely.
- Replace all pins - Make sure to replace all shear pins, not just the broken one.
- Replace cover - Put the auger belt cover back on.
- Test operation - Run the snowblower briefly to confirm the augers turn properly before fully operating.
3Snowblower Shear Bolt
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The shear bolt is a metal bolt that goes through the auger axle sleeve, locking it to the auger drive axle. Shear bolts are made to snap in half if the auger hits a rock or big chunk of ice. This prevents damage to the engine. If the shear bolt breaks, the auger can't turn anymore. Check the shear bolt to see if it is broken in two. If you see the shear bolt is busted, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The shear bolt acts like a safety device - it gives way so other parts don't get wrecked. Look for a clean break on it. If the bolt is intact, the issue is somewhere else. But if the shear bolt is snapped, putting in a new one will let you use the auger again. It's designed to break when something jams the auger.
How to Replace Snowblower Shear Bolt
- Gather supplies - Have replacement shear bolts designed specifically for your snowblower model ready. You may need pliers.
- Locate shear pins - Shear pins are found connecting the augers to the auger shaft. Check your owner's manual.
- Remove auger belt cover - Take off the belt cover to access the auger shaft and shear pins.
- Support auger - Have someone support the weight of the auger while you remove the old shear pin.
- Remove old pin - Use pliers to remove any broken ends of the old shear pin from the auger shaft.
- Install new pin - Insert the new replacement shear pin through the auger and shaft. Push it in completely.
- Replace all pins - Make sure to replace all shear pins, not just the broken one.
- Replace cover - Put the auger belt cover back on.
- Test operation - Run the snowblower briefly to confirm the augers turn properly before fully operating.
4Snowblower Auger Assembly
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
First, inspect the shear pins for any damage. If the shear pins are cracked or worn out, put in new ones. Next, look over the auger blades. If the blades are bent or worn down, replace them with new auger blades. If the full auger assembly is really worn out, you'll need to swap in a whole new auger assembly. The shear pins are there to break and protect the auger. Bent or damaged auger blades won't throw snow properly. Check both shear pins and blades to see if they need replacement. Worn-out individual parts like shear pins and blades can be replaced. But if everything is super worn, replacing the full auger assembly may be needed to get it throwing snow like new again. Start with pins and blades, then the whole auger if necessary.
How to Replace Snowblower Auger Assembly
- Gather supplies - You will need a new auger assembly designed for your snowblower model. Have your toolbox ready.
- Disconnect spark plug - Unscrew and disconnect the spark plug wire for safety.
- Drain gasoline - Drain the gas from the snowblower if needed to transport safely.
- Remove shear pins - Take out the shear pins connecting the augers to the auger shaft.
- Detach auger - Remove bolts or screws connecting the auger housing and detach the auger assembly from the snowblower.
- Install new auger - Carefully lift the new auger assembly into place and bolt it securely to the snowblower housing.
- Replace shear pins - Insert new shear pins to reconnect the augers to the shaft.
- Add gasoline - Refill the gas tank if emptied earlier.
- Test operation - Connect the spark plug, start the snowblower, and test the auger briefly before fully using.
5Snowblower Auger Blade
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The auger blades scoop up snow and toss it out the chute. If the blades get too worn down, they won't throw the snow well. Check the blades to see if they have too much wear. Replace any blades that are overly worn. The auger blades need to be in good shape to move snow. Look at each blade for thinning or roughness from use. If a blade is significantly worn, swap it out for a new one. Smooth, undamaged blades will effectively collect and throw the snow. But worn blades won't move the snow right. Visually inspect for any thinning or defects.
How to Replace Snowblower Auger Blade
- Gather supplies - Obtain a replacement auger blade specifically for your snowblower make and model. Have wrenches and screwdrivers ready.
- Locate auger blade - The auger blades are on the front of the auger barrel. Consult your owner's manual.
- Remove shear pins - Remove the shear pins connecting the augers to the shaft.
- Detach auger - Unbolt the auger from the snowblower housing to access the auger blades.
- Remove old blade - Use wrenches to unbolt the old auger blade and remove it from the auger frame.
- Install new blade - Align the new auger blade on the auger frame and securely bolt it in place.
- Replace auger - Remount the auger onto the snowblower housing. Replace the shear pins.
- Test operation - Start the snowblower and engage the auger briefly to ensure proper operation.
- Discard old blade - Properly dispose of the old worn auger blade.
- Consult manual - Refer to your snowblower owner's manual for full instructions.
6Snowblower Cogged Belt
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The cogged belt connects the engine to the gearbox. If the cogged belt is worn out, loose, or busted, the snowblower wheels won't turn. Check the belt to see if it is broken or worn thin, and make sure it's adjusted right. If the cogged belt is damaged or worn out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The cogged belt transfers power from the engine to move the wheels. Without a good cogged belt hooked up, the wheels can't spin. Look at the belt for damage or stretch marks from wear. Give it a tug to check if it's loose. The belt needs to be in good shape and tightened properly. If the engine is running but wheels aren't turning, the cogged belt is likely the issue. Swapping in a new belt or tightening it up will get those wheels moving again.
How to Replace Snowblower Cogged Belt
- Gather supplies - You will need a new cogged belt specific to your model, socket set and wrenches, and gloves.
- Locate old belt - The cogged belt connects the engine pulley to the drive pulley. Check your owner's manual for routing.
- Loosen pulleys - Loosen the nuts/bolts on the engine and drive pulleys to release belt tension.
- Remove old belt - With tension released, slip the old cogged belt off the pulleys.
- Install new belt - Loop the new cogged belt over the drive pulley first then the engine pulley.
- Re-tension pulleys - Tighten down the nuts/bolts on the pulleys to reset proper belt tension.
- Check alignment - Make sure the belt is centered on both pulleys and aligned.
- Replace covers - Replace any protective pulley covers.
- Test operation - Start the snowblower and check that the drive engages properly before use.
7Snowblower V-Belt
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The V-belt connects the engine to the gearbox. If the V-belt is worn out, loose, or busted, the snowblower wheels won't turn. Check the belt to see if it is broken or worn down, and make sure it's adjusted right. If the V-belt is broken or worn thin, you'll need to replace it with a new one. The V-belt transfers power from the engine to move the wheels. Without a good V-belt hooked up, the wheels can't spin. Look at the belt for damage or stretch marks from wear. Give it a tug to check if it's loose. The belt needs to be in good shape and tightened properly. If the engine is running but wheels aren't turning, the V-belt is likely the problem. Swapping in a new belt or tightening it up will get those wheels moving again.
How to Replace Snowblower V-Belt
- Gather supplies - You will need a new V-belt that is the correct size for your snowblower model, socket set and/or wrenches to loosen bolts, and gloves for protection.
- Locate V-belt - The V-belt is usually located under a cover on the side or back of the snowblower. Consult your owner's manual if needed.
- Loosen cover - Use your socket set or wrenches to loosen the bolts holding the V-belt cover in place. Remove the cover.
- Loosen tensioner pulley - There is usually a spring-loaded pulley that keeps tension on the V-belt. Loosen the bolts or nuts to release the tension.
- Remove old V-belt - With the tension released, you can now slide the old V-belt off of the pulleys.
- Install new V-belt - Slip the new V-belt over the pulleys in the same configuration as the old one.
- Re-tension pulley - Tighten the tensioner pulley bolts/nuts so it is putting tension on the new V-belt.
- Replace cover - Put the protective V-belt cover back on and tighten all bolts.
- Test operation - Start up the snowblower to ensure the V-belt is working properly before using.
8Snowblower Impeller
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The impeller is what throws the snow through and out the chute. If the impeller gets jammed up or breaks, the snowblower can't blow the snow. Check if the impeller is damaged or stuck. If it is broken, you'll need to replace the impeller. The impeller must spin freely to eject snow properly. Inspect it to ensure it's not bent or clogged with debris. If the impeller is intact but not spinning right, that points to another issue. But if you find the impeller itself is broken, a new one is needed for the snowblower to work again.
How to Replace Snowblower Impeller
- Gather supplies - Obtain a replacement impeller specifically for your snowblower make and model. Have wrenches, screwdrivers, and gloves ready.
- Locate impeller - The impeller is inside the impeller housing at the base of the chute. Consult your owner's manual.
- Remove chute - Unbolt and detach the discharge chute to access the impeller housing.
- Remove impeller - Use wrenches to unbolt the impeller and slide it off the shaft. Wear gloves as the edges are sharp.
- Clean housing - Remove any debris buildup around the impeller housing.
- Install new impeller - Carefully slide the new impeller onto the shaft. Align it properly and bolt it securely in place.
- Replace chute - Reattach the discharge chute. Make sure the impeller spins freely.
- Test operation - Start the snowblower and engage the auger briefly to ensure proper impeller motion.
- Discard old impeller - Properly dispose of the old, worn impeller.
- Consult manual - Refer to your owner's manual for full impeller replacement instructions.