Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman 5/22 Snowblower does not start... manuals and drawings?, downloadable manuals, speed jet

Question
I just got this "almost new" snowblower from a lady frustrated with it. It would not start up. There is spark at the sparkplug, electric starter working, pull cord missing though. It looks as if somebody had messed with its carb before. To my surprise it does not have any airfilter on at the carb air intake. Is that normal or it had just been taken apart and never put back? The whole carb is placed in the inside of a metal box though. Is that the idea of airfiltering for this? Do you think I can locate downloadable manuals for this blower with diagrams and drawings of its original carb assembly somewhere? Are there spare parts or repare kits available somewhere for this?

Thank you ever so much.

Otto
from snowed in Connecticut

Answer
Hi Otto,

Snowblowers do not use an air filter due to operation in a dust free environment.  The metal enclosure is to allow the carb to stay heated.  
As far as the not starting problem, try to start the engine while squirting fuel or starting fluid into the carb intake.  If it starts, then the carb most likely has dirt, debris or gummed fuel inside.  You will need to remove the carb, disassemble it, clean all the small internal openings and blow it out with compressed air.   Probe each and every hole with a small wire.  A carb rebuild kit wouldn't hurt either.

Before removing the carb, check the jets.  The larger high speed mixture screw, located on the bottom of the float bowl, is set at 1 & 1/2 turns out.  The smaller low speed jet is set at 3/4 turn out.    

Let me know how you make out.
Michael
(In CT too.)

I don't know where you could get or download a manual.  Carb and engine parts should be available at a repair shop.