Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

hi everybody, another new england type with a non-functional snowblower here.  go easy on me, i grew up in the desert and this is my first winter as a homeowner in a (finally) snow filled state (CT).
so, i got a Toro snowblower from my father-in-law, worked fine 3 months ago even with old fuel in it.  go to use it today and it wouldn't start.  topped it off with fuel that has been sitting in the can for probably 6 months.  i worked for about 20 mins to get it going.  FINALLY got it to start.  there was rejoicing! but not for long!
once running, it would run at "normal" speed, then drop down, almost stall, then rev back up to normal, then drop down to stall, and so on, repeat about 4 times until it would stall on it's own (total run time = 20 seconds or so).  if i put it under load and started blowing snow it stalled in seconds.

-choke and throttle are maxed, if lowered, it instantly stalls.

i'm thinking drain the fuel, clean the carbs, refuel with FRESH gas?

help please!  shovelling a foot of snow on a steep driveway was fun when i got paid to do it years ago as an enterprising teenager.  now it sucks.

Possible venting problem on the gas cap. Loosen or remove the gas cap and start the blower. If it stays running, check the tiny hole on the gas cap for dirt. BTW, some newer blower doesn't have the tiny hole on the gas cap.  

Surging and stalling are classic symptoms of dirty carbs.

You can try cleaning it; rebuiliding it; or I simply bought a new one for $53. Less than a 1 hour labor charge at the dealer....

You might try carb cleaner.

PERR has a small engine technical forum and sells carbs and rebuild kits.