Hi.
I have a small Murray Ultra 5 HP, 22" snowblower.
I have been a bad boy and have not taken care of it very well, no fuel stabilizer over summer, etc.
The problem now, after about 3 years, is that when start, engine does not run smoothly, and will die under load. Also, looks like is firing at muffler point?
I have drained the fuel from carb and tank and put in new fuel. Also have replaced the spark plug.
Still no difference.
I suspect the carb needs work.
I started to take apart to get to carb but looks like carb is pretty well enclosed and not easily accessed to spray carb cleaner in.
My question is... would something like Gumout into the gas work... or will I need to take carb apart and clean?
Thx.
Bob

So it sat over the summer, or 3 years? No matter what you try in the gas (gumouts overpriced anyway) is going to help, carbs got to come off (would recommend you take all the numbers off the engine, and take the numbers to a small engine shop, and get a gasket kit) take it off, tear it apart (remember how it goes back together) get some carb soaking dip, at any auto store, soak it, and the parts overnight, take it back out, and spray carb cleaner through any hole you can find really good... wear gloves, it drys you hands out bad.
What brand engine is on it?

Then after all is said and done, get some stabilizer for the gas...

And also, check the float, for heaviness or sloshing, if it is, get a new one or you'll run into more problems...

Hi.
Is Tesumcuh(spelling?) engine.
Ok, I took carb off and apart and sprayed with cleaner...
But piece fell out and not sure where it goes.
Suspect it is a needle valve? Small part with pointed end with little spring like wire on other end. Does it just sit in hole where gas comes in and then float rests on top of it... or does the spring end go into/over/around something??
Bob

I would soak it, not just spray it out, makes for less headaches and a cleaner carb. The inlet needle, which is what controls the intake of fuel into the bowl, the float hangs off the needle, that spring holds onto the float, should be a lip on the float at the hinge to hold that spring. The inlet valve into the hole, then insert the pin to hold the float in place, make sure the float pin moves freely in and out and the float moves freely.

If I might add to the cleaning of the carburetor. I worked in a small engine shop for several years, and there are two absolutes that every carb job seemed to require. You need to get a piece of "tag wire", like which would be on a repair tag, and go through every little hole on the carburetor. The varnish that builds up in old gas won't flush out in most carb wash fluids. The other absolute, is to use a product called "Bleach White". It is a whitewall tire cleaner, but it has a solvent that will break up the varnish.
BE CAREFUL. It's caustic, and you need to have a very well ventilated area to use it. If you have sensitive hands, it will surely aggravate them. It used to take the tan off my hands with excessive exposure. If you have any doubts about using that product, you should just take the carb in to a shop and have them replace gaskets and clean it.

Best of luck