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

Have a 1968 Ariens   M106D model blower, with Tecumseh 6HP. Was running well when put away last spring, fuel was stabiled and drained.

Fired up unit last weekend and seemed to run well, first snow was today, and it cleared about 3 passes and then started bogging down and dying out. I suspected dirty carb, disassembled and cleaned it, no varnish, just a few specks of dirt in the bowl. ( gone now).

Reassembled, started, having a hell of time getting it to idle, finally adjusted to idle properly but it now dies under load. I have to slowly increase speed to max, slowly engage clutch, once auger is turning as soon as I hit snow with it, it dies. Won't start again unless throttle is set to idle.

I am thinking of replacing / rebuilding carb, but in the back of my mind wondering if this is an ignition problem. Any thoughts? Remen,er, she was clearing like a son of a gun for 3 passes of my driveway this morning.. then the fun started. Spark seems strong but plug is black-ish.

Thank you for any help.

Craig