Any professional will tell you that Honda power equipment is durable and dependable. With a 4-stroke engine, a Honda snowblower does not mix oil and gas, nor does it emit an odor or smoke. It also has low emissions, great fuel economy, and is very easy to start even in the coldest weather.

However, despite the durability and dependability of a Honda snowblower, you will eventually have to replace the spark plug. A properly functioning spark plug is essential for a properly functioning snowblower engine. It is the device inside of the engine cylinder that ignites the fuel by creating a spark. The process works as follows.

Within your snowblower, the fuel travels from the gas tank, through the fuel lines with the help of the fuel pump, and to the fuel injectors. Simultaneously, the cold air intake pulls oxygen into the cylinder. A highly combustible fuel and air mixture is injected into the cylinder. Inside of the cylinder, the spark plug creates a spark that ignites the combustible fuel and air mixture, and in turn starts the engine. This process occurs thousands of times per minute. No spark means the fuel is not ignited, which means the engine will not run.

So, if the spark plug in your snowblower is damaged, you must replace it to get your snowblower engine running properly again. You can either take your snowblower to have it serviced by a Honda power equipment professional, or you can perform the spark plug replacement yourself. The replacement process is relatively simple and inexpensive. The following paragraphs are meant to be a guide for those do-it-yourselfers.

Step 1: Acquire the necessary replacement part. You can order one of these spark plugs directly through www.hondalawnparts.com. Use the parts lookup tool to locate the part you need or choose from a list, and then follow the easy steps to complete your order.

Step 2: Remove the spark plug cap. If the engine has been running recently, the muffler will be extremely hot, so be very careful not to touch it. Clean all dirt from around the base of the spark plug. To ensure proper engine operation, the spark plug must be completely free of deposits. Then, remove the spark plug using the wrench that was supplied to you in the tool kit.

Step 3: Inspect the spark plug for worn electrodes and a cracked or chipped insulator. These problems mean that the spark plug must be replaced to get the snowblower engine functioning again.

Step 4: To ensure proper operation, the spark plug must be gapped correctly. Use a feeler gauge to measure the plug gap. Check the owner’s manual for the correct measurement. Bend the side electrode to correct the plug gap until it meets the required spacing.

Step 5: Install the new spark plug. First, ensure that the spark plug washer is still in good condition. If it is not, then replace the washer as well. Then, thread the spark plug in manually by hand to prevent cross-threading.

Step 6: Once the spark plug is threaded into its proper place, you must compress the washer by tightening the spark plug wrench a ½ turn.

The two most important things to remember during this process are to only use the recommended spark plugs mentioned above and to properly tighten the spark plug. A spark plug with an improper heat range or that is improperly tightened can become very hot and cause engine damage.