Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Snowblower starting problem, internal passages, mtd snowblower

Question
First, let me say that I am not very knowledgable about small engines. I have a 9 year old MTD snowblower with a 4 hp Tecumseh Snow King engine. I have never had to repair anything on the engine. It always ran great when I used it every year, but I have not started it in at least two years.  After the last run time two years ago, I ran the engine out of gas (with Sta-Bil mixed in the gas).  I assumed that this would completely clean out the fuel system.  Now, the engine will not start.  If I spray a little starter fluid in the intake, it will start very easily and run for a few seconds until the starter fluid is gone.  Also, gas will freely flow out of the little spring loaded drain on the carb bowl, so I assume the gas is getting to the carb from the tank. My problem seems to me to be in the carb - not getting any gas due to ?.  Please give me any hints you can on how to further diagnosis my problem, and how to come up with a solution to fix it.

Thank You,
JO

Answer
A particularly common probem with snowblowers with Tecumseh engines is a small passage in the "stack" that can plug easily.  You need to remove the float bowl and use a piece of tag wire to push through all of the internal passages.  There may be a small hole throught the float bowl "nut" that needs to be cleaned as well.  The difficult passage to clean is in the stack itself.  You need to bend a small "L" in a piece of tag wire to get at it.  If you tip the snowblower forward so it is sitting on the auger housing, you should have a clear view of the carb and this passage.  Follow up with carb cleaner and make sure everything is spotless.  Hope this helps.