How-To Guides
How to Drain Gasoline from a Snowblower
AAZparts Team
Updated on June 25, 2025
6 min read
Draining the gas from your snowblower is a simple yet essential task to ensure its longevity and readiness for the next winter. By doing so, you prevent fuel from deteriorating and clogging your snowblower’s system. This easy maintenance step requires just a few tools and a bit of time. Remember, safety is the top priority when handling fuel. In this article, AZParts provides reliable parts to keep your equipment running smoothly
1. Before You Start
1.1. Safety Inspection
Before draining gasoline from your snowblower, it’s essential to follow strict safety measures to avoid accidents, injuries, or fire hazards:
- Choose a Safe Location: Move the snowblower outdoors to a well-ventilated, flat surface, away from any heat sources, sparks, or open flames. Never run the engine indoors because carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious risk.
- Avoid Slippery or Delicate Surfaces: Choose a non-slip, stable area like a garage apron or a paved patio. Avoid draining fuel on driveways, as gasoline can damage asphalt or concrete and create hazardous slick spots.
- Turn Off and Cool Down: Ensure the snowblower is completely turned off and give it at least 30 minutes to cool down if it was recently used. Hot engine components can cause burns.
- Disconnect the Spark Plug Wire: This is a critical safety step to prevent accidental engine startup while you’re working.
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) :
Safety First: Worker Wearing Goggles, Mask, and Gloves (Source: Freepik)
- Work gloves to protect your hands from hot parts or chemical exposure.
- Safety goggles or glasses to shield your eyes from fuel splashes.
- Earplugs if you’ll need to start the engine briefly during draining.
- Tight-fitting clothing to avoid anything getting caught in moving parts.
- Non-slip boots for better footing, especially on icy or wet surfaces.
1.2. Required Tools and Equipment
Gather the necessary tools and protective gear before you begin to ensure a smooth and safe process:
For snowblower parts and accessories, check out Snow Blower Parts to get the right tools and components for your equipment maintenance.
Tool/Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
Siphon pump or turkey baster | For removing gasoline safely from the fuel tank |
Approved fuel container (with cap) | To hold the drained gasoline securely |
Work gloves | Protect your hands from fuel and hot surfaces |
Safety goggles or eye protection | Prevent fuel splashes from reaching your eyes |
Earplugs (optional) | Protect hearing from engine noise if it's briefly run |
Paper towels or shop rags | Clean up spills and wipe down tools |
Screwdriver or socket set | Remove hose clamps or access fuel lines if necessary |
Slip-resistant footwear | Ensure safe footing on icy or wet ground |
2. How to Drain Gas from a Snowblower in 6 Steps
2.1. Move the Snowblower to the Chosen Area
Positioning the Snowblower Before Maintenance ( Source: AZParts)
Start by setting up the snowblower in a stable, level area, making sure the engine is off and fully cooled down. Ensure the location is well-ventilated and far from any open flames or sparks to avoid accidents. For added protection while moving the snowblower, consider using the skid shoe, which can also prevent damage to the surface.
2.2. Get Familiar with a Siphon Pump
A siphon pump is an easy-to-use tool for draining fuel. If you're unfamiliar with how it works, here’s a quick rundown: The pump has a small handle (usually a different color) that you squeeze with one hand to create the pumping action. There are two tubes connected to the pump; one goes into the fuel tank and the other into the container where the drained fuel will be caught. Before you start, check that the siphon pump is in good condition to avoid leaks or spills during use.
2.3. Remove Fuel Tank Cap
Getting Ready to Siphon Gas from the Snowblower (Source: AZParts)
Next, locate and carefully unscrew the fuel tank cap on the snowblower. Insert the siphon pump’s tube into the fuel tank, ensuring it goes as deep as possible for efficient fuel extraction. If the tank has a filter, make sure the siphon tube is positioned below it to allow smooth fuel flow.
2.4. Set up the Catch Pan
Place your catch pan or fuel container at a safe distance from the snowblower, ensuring it is positioned correctly to catch the draining fuel. Insert the other end of the siphon tube into the container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold all the fuel to avoid any overflow.
2.5. Drain out the Gas
Operating Siphon Pump to Drain Gas into Safety Can (Source: AZParts)
Once the siphon pump is properly set up, begin the siphoning process by squeezing the pump handle. Keep a steady rhythm, using one hand to operate the pump while stabilizing it with the other hand. Ensure that the siphon tube remains fully submerged in the fuel tank throughout the process. Continue until most of the fuel has been drained into the container.
2.6. Run Engine to Drain out Residual Gas
After draining the majority of the fuel, a small amount of residual gas will remain in the system. To get rid of this, replace the fuel tank cap, start the engine, and let it run until it shuts off automatically due to the lack of fuel. This will ensure that any remaining fuel in the engine or fuel lines is fully burned off, leaving your snowblower ready for storage.
3. Do You Have to Drain Gas from a Snowblower Before Storing It for the Season?
Checking and Draining Fuel from Snowblower Tank (Source: AZParts)
Yes, you should. Draining the gas or treating it properly is a critical step before storing your snowblower at the end of winter. While some people mix a fuel stabilizer into a full tank and run the engine briefly to circulate it, others may find it easier to drain the remaining gas, especially if the tank is nearly empty.
Leaving untreated gasoline in the tank for months may not cause issues right away, which is why many people overlook it. However, by the time you try to start the machine next season, the damage may already be done. Most gasoline today contains ethanol, which absorbs moisture from the air. This can lead to corrosion, clogs in the carburetor, and even engine failure, often requiring costly repairs.
If you choose to drain the gas, use a siphon pump to remove the fuel, then start the engine and let it run until it stalls. This ensures the fuel system is completely empty. If using a stabilizer, fill the tank, add the stabilizer, and run the engine for a few minutes to let the treated fuel circulate.
The key takeaway is simple: don’t leave untreated gas sitting in your snowblower over the summer. A few minutes of preventive maintenance now can save you time, money, and frustration when the snow returns.
Understanding how to drain gas from a snowblower is a smart way to prevent engine issues and extend its lifespan. Whether you drain the tank or use a stabilizer, don’t leave untreated fuel in your machine during storage.
For trusted snow blower parts and maintenance tools, AZParts offers reliable replacement parts and accessories to support every step of your snowblower maintenance. With the right tools and a few minutes of your time, you can keep your machine in top condition year after year.
Contact Information:
8 The Green, Ste A, Dover, Delaware 19901-3618, United States
Snowblower
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