Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): snowblower startup, lubricant, duct tape

Question
Ok, lets start over.  You were having trouble starting the engine.  If you primed the engine it started and the engine ran fine.

We narrowed it down to the choke rod not fully closing the choke.  Now, when you manually close the choke all the way by hand the engine will start without being primed and runs fine after it is started.
Is this correct?
Let me know.
Eric

Hi Eric,
Just to follow up, I went back and pulled the choke out manually and what I found is that it is sticky and wasn't coming out the whole way. The rod would bend rather than pull it out, and when I pulled it out with my fingers it didn't go all the way either.
On Sat I tried again and pulled the choke out even more and it started. Now my only question is how do I get it to free up? Is there some sort of spray, or do I need to take the carb apart?

Thanks again
Mark

Answer
You can try come carb cleaner, WD-40 or just about any other pentrating lubricant.  About the only thing you can do is spray the fluid directly in/on the choke assembly and move it back and fourth by hand to work in the lubricant.  

This style choke is a real pain as equipment ages.  Some engines do not have the rod but the choke ends up opening and closing while running the engine as the engine get older.  You pretty much have to use duct tape to hold the choke closed.  With the rod design, as you have experienced, the choke will bind and not fully close.

I prefer the rod design because you only need the choke to start the engine and you can manually close it if necessary.

Eric