Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Snowblower loses power, craftsman snowblower, fuel stabilizer

Question
Hi, I have a Craftsman snowblower (engine 143.015007) and it starts fine, but as it sits running it will run and then lose power after 30 secs and then power up again - this keeps repeating. It is 5 years old and I just changed the oil. Someone said maybe it is just bad gas and to try draining it out. Someone else suggested I get a new carburetor. Any ideas?
Thanks, Fiona

Answer
I think you are describing surging.  It can sound like the engine is running out of fuel.  The first thing I would do is remove the carburetor disassemble it and use a wire from a twist tie to clean all the air and fuel passages.  Get carburetor kit and moaning gaskets from your dealer or Sears direct.com and install it.  Remount the carburetor using new gaskets.  There is usually a screen in the bottom of the fuel tank make sure it is clean.  To do this you could back flush with gasoline.  Please remember to use fuel stabilizer because the snow could be 8 weeks out.  In that amount of time the fuel could turn bad.  Put the stabilizer in the fuel and run it till some of that fuel has gone through the carburetor and set it aside until you need.  You may need to do further adjustments when it gets cold.  Good luck on your project.