Editorial Standards ⓘ John Atwater Reporter WATERTOWN, Mass. — Cleaning gummed-up carburetors keeps Tom Destino busy these days, as people get their snowblowers ready for the expected storm.

“Don’t start the snow blower if it’s been sitting for a long time," he said. "You’ve got to get the gas out of it because if you do start it, the gas will go to the carburetor and gum it up.

That’s all it takes and the carburetors get gummed up with the ethanol and stuff in there.” For do-it-yourselfers, the gas tank is a place to start.

While they’re at it, they’d better add one more item to the tax code: a deduction for the 200 bucks I had to spend to rebuild two lousy snowblower carburetors.

So far, I have had to rebuild two snowblower carburetors, one push-mower carburetor, and one riding-mower carburetor. The solution to that gummy problem has been to buy gas that has no ethanol in it.

Check out all the info that Senior Tech Editor has on Holley blower carburetors and tips for max performance. Only at www.hotrod.com, the official website for Hot Rod Magazine.