PhilC

Id offer my two cents but then I have never had a Simplicity blower, I have worked my neighbors tractor and it was a very good machine,. Simplicity has always had a good name, so has Ariens and I do own one of those. Mine is a 924 series brought in Nov of 1992. and this is the first year I have any problems with that machine, belts and roller bearing wore out and had to be replaced. After returning the unit home from the shop the very next storm it went down again this time a little silly spring broke and I could not figure out where it belongs, lost all gears and its now back at the repair shop.. but fifteen years without problem counts for much..

Phil C
Western MA and we get a lot of snow normally

Ok I've been an ariens user for more than twenty five years now and the oil you are seeing, I assume its spots and not a streak, is normal. I never did learn just whats does this as I asked my dealer who has been selling and servicing them for as lomg as I can remember and I am 65...
It's just blow by or oil bolwing through the breather, not to worry mine had not run out yet and Ive had it for sixteen years. Check the oil before eash use and if you in a snow area , Amherst is one, change the oil twice during the season and be sure to greasr=e the machine according to the manual, it will last a lifetime.
You have a good machine, one of the best for moving snow, use the lower gears and allow the machine to do the work but do not hurry it, blow snow in low gears 1 2 if manual drive system, any faster will just overheat the unit..

PhilC