Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda HS55, carburetor jets, spic n span

Question
I have a Honda HS55 Snow blower that will not run.  Had it stored with Sta-Bil as always.  I disassembled the Carb and the Main Jet that screws into the Main Nozzle was clogged.  Soaked the entire Carb in cleaner overnight, removed Jet and cleaned out with a needle, and re-assembled.  Wouldn’t start.  Disassembled again and found the rear butterfly (attaches to the governor) was seized.  Got it loose and removed the butterfly to clean properly as well as removed the shaft and deburred it.  Reassembled and it will fire up as long as I shoot starter fluid into the Carb, but will not run on its own.  Acts as if it gets no fuel.  Carb is spic-n-span.  Two questions: Does the entire assembly need to be put back together to run?  Can I just reassemble the Carb and hold to engine and have it run or does it need all the components attached and snugged down to create a “vacuum” to pull fuel into Carb?  Also when I removed the rear butterfly, I reassembled it so that it “opens” when you put the throttle lever in Fast position.  Is that the correct position?  It seems right, but I neglected to pay attention to the proper “side” of the shaft to reinstall it (open when in fast or the other way would be closed in fast).  Chocking it does nothing in the way of starting or continued running; it only runs as long as I keep shooting starter fluid in the Carb throat.

Answer
Hello Dell:

I have a Limit on Soaking a Carburetor and Rebuilding it. If I Soak and Rebuild a Carburetor 3 Times, then I Replace the Carburetor. Sometimes it Takes 3 Soakings to Get the Varnish Competely Out of a Carburetor. If After the 3rd Soak and Cleaning, the Carburetor is Still Causing Problems; I Replace the Carburetor. The Carburetor has to be Properly Mounted to Function Properly (due to Vaccum Required to Pull the Gas Through the Carburetor Jets and Passages). You have the Butterfly Valve Installed Correctly. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower/Engine at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram... and Select the Catalog American Honda. Is the Screw (#5 Pilot Set Screw) Set 1 1/2 Turns Out from Bottom? Turn the Screw In Until it Stops. DO NOT JAM!!!  SNUG ONLY!!! Now Turn the Screw Reverse 1 1 1/2 Turns Out. Once the Engine is Running Set this Screw so there is No Hesitation when Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. Since you Stated the Main Nozzle was Clogged, I Suggest you Soak the Carburetor Again and then Blow it Out and Resoak it again. Tne Assemble the Carburetor and See if it Corrects the Problem. What is the Compression of the Engine? Either the Engine has Low Compression, which Means Low Vaccum or the Carburetor Passages are Still Restricted. Is the Gas Free Flowing to the Carburetor? If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John