Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): snow king snowblower 622505x8 will not start, Snowblower starts then dies

Question
Hi:

I have a 10 (or so) year old snowblower--a Murray Snow King snow king snowblower 622505x8.  

It would not start last year, and I had a repair shop fix it, they replaced the plug, mainly. So this year I started it up, it ran for about 30 minutes, then died. I could not get it to reststart. Tried for several days. It would run briefly after I primed it, and if I kept pumping the rubber priming button it would run roughly for a minute.

I used fresh gas from a new container this year, figuring maybe the old gas had become contaminated.

If this was a car I would figure "fuel filter" but I don't know if this model has one.

Any ideas? I don't want to haul it back to the repair shop, it's a long ways away and I am not that confident in them at this point.


Thanks

Andy

Answer
Hi Andy,

Well,  the problem that you describe is one that comes up quite often.


I am not sure about the work that was completed by the small engine shop either.  Why did they only replace the plug?  In these situations usually the carburetor is one of the main culprits for
what is behind the difficulties with starting and rough running.

Testing Procedures-

The first check should be done with the use of Spark Plug Tester (available at some hardware outlets) to see if the spark is happening.

Nest check if the spark plug is wet/dry?

If it's dry-
Check check the fuel supply before it reaches the carb.  
- Check if the fuel cap vent is properly working.  
Check the air cleaner is in good shape.

It sounds like your shop should have overhauled the carburetor when you took it to them with the machine @ last year's service check.  

If it is the carburetor, then it needs to be overhauled.  The carb has some replace-able parts such as the inlet needle, and float, that may need to be replaced with overhaul.  
If you have a good manual then it might be do-able, if not you are going to need the assistance of a small engine mechanic.  Nothing too major is going on here though, so let the mechanic know what is the situation.

Good luck,

Howard

Ps. Let me know how it goes.