I have a Honda snowblower HS724 which was only used 2 or 3 times a couple years ago. 3 months ago I started it, backed it out the shed and put it back in. Let it sit again until a week ago (and yes there was gas in it). Now it won't start. Here is what I have done per instructions from just about everyone. Opened the top and sprayed starting fluid. It starts
But shuts right off. Changed the spark plug. Emptied the gas and put new gas in. Each
Time I give is a spray of start fluid it starts but stops. I don't have anyway to get it to Honda to repair. I'm guessing the carb is gummed up. Is there anywhere online to get step by step instructions to clean the carbureator on my model snowblower? Any
Help is appreciated. Ruth

Ruth, having had this happen to me, the events made me a believer in a gasoline addititive called Sta-Bil which keeps the fuel from forming a gum in the carb. But sounds like the damage is done.

If adding some carb/injector cleaner to the almost empty tank and leaving it sit for a couple of weeks does not do it, then the machine (the carb specifically) probably needs professional work, a rebuild or such. By the way, this fooling around with gasoline and starting fluid is VERY DANGEROUS, so if you have limited experience, leave it to the local small engine shop. The alternative could be FATAL, like my parents next door neighbor's accident.

Starting fluid is bad for small engines. It lacks lubercations. Use carb cleaner for starting fluid.

I would agree that the carb has to be disassembled and cleaned. That usually requires re-adjustment. It's not hard, but you don't want to loose anything. If the engine is not too old, probably nothing has to be replaced.

Sta-bil is a great additive.

Lawn mower shops will come and get your unit for a fee.

Here is a site with a video for rebuilding cabs such as Honda's. Lawn mower Repair and Small Engine Repair from the Lawnmower Man

How old is your honda snowblower?

ltcmikesr:

The fatal part probably comes from not using adequate ventilation or using gas in in a cloed garage. Gas vapours ignite and not the liquid. The gas is heavier than air, so it collects at the ground. Sparks under these favorable conditions can spell disaster.

So can bringing in gas in the home and have it be ignited by an applieance. The same is true for just about any solvent.

That's the major danger for small quantities. Large quantities has additional dangers.

Have you left your snowblower out side through the course of the winter with it not being covered? If so then it could be the carb. To see if it is there is a nut under the carb. Take it off and look in the carb cap. See what it looks like. You might have dirty gas in the line which can plug it. This would be a good sign when you look in the cap. Hope to here your results.

That's probably not likely. The carb can be diaphram or flaot. Let's assume diaphram. There is a little needle valve that is moved by the diaphram and lets fuel in. The mixture screws, usually one for low and one for high idle have small passages as well. What usually happens is the gum from the sitting gasoline acts as glue and permanently seals the fuel valve. Since fuel cannot get to the seat because it's shut, dissassembly is required to fix.

I store the snowblower in a shed. It has been sitting for quite awhile with old gas. I stopped by the Honda dealer and they said they would clean the carbureator. Thanks again for the input

You seem to have carb problems.

I would Like to add something very important to U're repairs,I to own a honda hs724 snowblower, about 6 years old.Awesome machine no complaints.however in it's life I've broke about 5 or 6 small auger shear bolts.Last winter I though I broke another one but the noise was much louder,upon inspection I noticed that I broke the main Auger shaft.Now trying to dismantle was quite a task ,see the Augers actually float on this shaft and the 2 bearings left and right. Now Both the Augers had rusted on this shaft completely ,the shaft only goes in about 4inches on each side and the tolerance of play can't be any more than a piece of paper so me and my brother 2 torches,pipe wrenches and 3hrs later it came apart.So the moral of the story is "Yes I'm a Donkey" for not yearly removing the shear bolts tipping the machine left and right spraying lubricant into augers and making sure they spin freely.So now I'm waiting for my $200.00 worth of parts. Hoped this helps somebody. Thanks

Like all small engines is similar circumstances, it may be that the carborator needs cleaning but you said it starts when using starter fluid then stops and that makes me think about some I've seen that have blown the intake gasket. Once you've checked out the carb, and then it still won't start on its own, pull the carb and see if the intake gasket is wet with fuel where it should be dry. If it is, it is sucking air instead of fuel.