Snow Joe Troubleshooting: Full Guide

Winter never fails to leave its mark by burying driveways in snow. So, using a shovel or bare hands is one way to solve this problem.

But let’s face it, that’ll take forever, so you decided to get a Snow Joe. But like any typical machine, a Snow Joe could develop issues sometimes, which can be pretty frustrating.

You can turn this around with some simple Snow Joe troubleshooting methods, which this article will discuss in detail.

Keep reading to access a complete guide on Snow Joe troubleshooting to help you enjoy your machine better.

A Full Guide To Snow Joe Troubleshooting

Since a Snow Joe is mainly used during winter, it’s normal to keep it for months without use.

But keeping it without regular maintenance or servicing could lead to various problems.

That’s why you’d notice that the machine worked fine the last time but has now started acting up.

Some problems you might experience include gas leaks, a clogged discharge chute, defective wheels, etc.

Each problem has troubleshooting methods to get your Snow Joe back in shape. Below are some of these problems and a complete guide on Snow Joe troubleshooting.

The Snow Joe Has Shut Down

Sometimes, your Snow Joe could refuse to start, even when you used it last winter. It mainly happens because you’ve left it idle for months without servicing it.

Due to this, moisture builds up in the fuel system, leaving behind a gummy residue. It stops your Snow Joe from functioning as it did before.

Troubleshooting Tip

If your Snow Joe operates on gas, you might have to check your gas tank to see if it needs to be refueled.

If there’s still gas in the tank, it might be that the ethanol in it has accumulated moisture in the tank.

The best Snow Joe troubleshooting method in this situation is to drain the old gas using a siphon pump. After that, refuel your machine with fresh gasoline.

The issue might be with the batteries if you use an electric Snow Joe instead.

You can troubleshoot your Snow Joe by charging the battery fully, plugging it in, and turning it on.

However, even with these Snow Joe troubleshooting techniques, your Snow Joe could still be shut down.

In such a case, you might have to clean your spark plug using a carburetor cleaner or replace it in case of damage.

A Clogged Discharge Chute

After shoveling through heaps of snow, it’s almost impossible for snow not to get into the discharge chute.

It makes it as difficult for snow to flow through the machine as it usually would.

A clogged discharge chute could also result from your Snow Joe not moving through the snow fast enough.

The slower your machine is, the more vulnerable it is to discharge chute clogs.

Troubleshooting Tip

The best Snow Joe troubleshooting method for this problem depends on whether your Snow Joe operates on gas or is electric.

If it runs on gas, turn off your Snow Joe and unplug it from a gas model.

Next, wait until all parts of your Snow Joe stop moving and remove the snow assembled around the chute assembly.

You can do this with a chute clean-out tool, usually fastened to the rear of the auger housing.

However, ensure you wear gloves to protect yourself from dirt that might evaporate while cleaning.

On the other hand, you can troubleshoot electric Snow Joes by removing their batteries and replacing them with new ones.

You can adjust the blower speed to make your Snow Joe blow faster.

Defective Wheels

Several factors lead to defective wheels in a Snow Joe machine. For example, the wheels could be flat; the wheel rim might have sustained some damage or a defective v-belt.

The cogged and v-belt operates together with the engine. So, if this part becomes defective, the wheels might stop working.

Applying some simple Snow Joe troubleshooting tips will help solve this situation.

Troubleshooting Tips

You can troubleshoot your Snow Joe by replacing the wheels or wheel rims if they become flat or damaged.

Another option is to check the v-belt for any wear and tear that might’ve developed over time. If there are any, replacing them will help solve the problem.

If the problem persists, there might be issues with your driver disk. In this case, you’ll have to inspect the drive disk for any damage or grease.

If it’s greasy, wash it with soap and warm water. But if it’s damaged, it’s time to get a new one.

The Snow Joe Is Imbalanced

Your machine might have balance issues if you notice it lurching forward every time you squeeze the drive handle.

It usually occurs when the cable line isn’t fixed correctly. This part is responsible for powering up your wheels and can be fixed with a few Snow Joe troubleshooting methods.

Troubleshooting Tips

Every cable line is secured with a clip. So, you can troubleshoot this by removing the clip and adjusting the cable line.

It is to ensure that it’s properly secured at the base of your Snow Joe. Then, reattach the clip, turn on the machine, and try it again.

If the machine keeps jerking forward, you might have to adjust the cable line again until it’s well secured. Continue doing this till you get desired results.

Another issue might be with the springs or spark plugs. The springs are elastic, so the machine keeps lurching forward every time you start.

The spark plugs might also be defective, sending power in and out of the machine.

In such cases, a suitable Snow Joe troubleshooting method will involve replacing both parts to see better results.

Gas Leaks

Gas leaks occur from time to time in a Snow Joe machine. Trying to find the cause of these leaks can be annoying and challenging.

But it doesn’t have to be. You can troubleshoot your Snow Joe by identifying the fundamental problems that could cause a gas leak.

These problems include a bad carburetor gasket, a cracked fuel filter, a bad gas tank, a stuck float, etc.

Troubleshooting Tips

Some parts are likely to wear out when you’ve used your Snow Joe for a couple of years. One of them is the carburetor gasket.

So, if you’ve never replaced this part before and you’re experiencing gas leaks, now might be a good time.

If the carburetor gasket has been replaced before, the problem might be with the fuel filter. If there are cracks, you’ll have to replace the filter.

But if there are no cracks, you only have to ensure that the fuel filter and fuel housing connections are adequately fixed.

In some cases, gas leaks might result from a bad gas cap. It happens when you continually smell gas but can’t identify the source.

You can troubleshoot your Snow Joe by shaking it to see if the gas cap develops a wet spot. If it does, you’ll have to replace the gas cap with a new one.

Takeaway

A Snow Joe is one of the best lifesavers for your driveways and gardens during the winter. However, it could develop problems that can be pretty frustrating.

When this happens, you only need two things. First, identify the problem.

Then, once you do this, you can efficiently apply the best Snow Joe troubleshooting method to that situation.