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

I just acquired a used Ariens ST 824 that I believe has been setting for a while.  I had to spray some penetrating oil on the throttle linkages to get them really moving, and get rid of the old gas in the tank to get it started.  It now starts well enough.  However, at all throttle settings it "cycles" up and down in rpm's from what appears to be some sort of govenor on the back of the engine that throttles the engine down from a linkage to the throttle on top of the carburetor.  I have tried adjusting the jet below the carb bowl but it did not help.  I also took the carb bowl out and cleaned it (it had some sediment in it) and cleaned the jet opening and pin.  The pin does have a very small pit near its upper (pointed) end.  But I don't know if that could cause the effect I am experiencing.  So, although it continues to run, the rpms cycle up and down noticably - and too much - as the "govenor" pushes the throttle back and forth.  I also sprayed some carb and choke cleaner into the carb intake.  Does anyone know what might be causing this problem and how I would fix it?

Also, I would like to clean the rust from the inside of the housing and repaint it and the metal chute.  However, I am not sure how best to remove the housing in regard to somehow disconnecting the auger and impeller.  I saw a service manual on the Ariens website - any thoughts on if this would be useful to me regarding these problems or in the future?  If you have any ideas please let me know - I am anxious to get this running and get the housing off and painted while I have the time....  Thanks.

O.K.    I will reply to my own post.  I figured out the problem.  There is a very small hole in hollow brass threaded tube that the jet needle screws into.  Above the two large holes at the bottom of this tube, on only one side between the threadeed portions of the tube, is a very small pinhole drilled at an angle into the tube.  This hole was plugged.  After inserting the smallest needle I could find into the hole and clearing it the carburetor works properly and the engine runs just fine. 

By the way, if you are looking for the model and serial number of your Tecumseh engine on an Ariens snowblower with electric start and cannot find it - remove the starter button on top of the engine  (two long screws hold it on) where you might find the model and serial numbers stamped on the shroud.  How long do you think it took me to figure that out?  Thanks to Larks Garden Supply in Cadillac, Michigan for helping me out.  The guys there are great.

congrats. BTW, usually you can dowload the manual and exploding parts diagram from ariens.com (as long as you have the serial and model #s.

(the tecumseh manuals are also available on the web)