Areins snowblower starting issue

[yazfan]

Hi all,

New to the board. Was hoping someone might be able to tell me what the problem might be with my 3 year olf Ariens snowblower.

My wife said the last time she used it, it stalled just as she was finishing up. Yesterday, I went to start it and it took multiple attempts to keep it running. It would cough and sputter until I eventually was able to keep it running. While it was sputtering the exhaust was thick as if it were running rich. There were a few sparks coming from the exhaust initially. It then appeared to be fine and ran without an issue.

I was planning on starting it cold again tonight to see if the problem is still there.

Any idea what would cause the sparks?

 

[Dutch445]

it sounds like carb issues,,

what were you doing to keep it
running? were you priming
it with the primer bulb?

I don't know if your model has a
mixture screw on the bottom of the
carb or not, it may be too new.

Also, has the machine sat for quite
a while without being run with old
gas in it? Today's gasoline doesn't stay
very fresh too long, and can varnish quickly
if no stabilizer was used.
If this was the case, it might be worth having
the carb pulled, and soaked clean, and re
assembled.
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