Help for the carburetor-challenged, please?

OK. The reason I own an ELECTRIC log splitter and an ELECTRIC chainsaw is that internal combustion engines and I are not that friendly.

It's about my snowblower. To establish a link to Hearth.Com, it's the one I use to get to my woodpile...

Anyway, I flooded it a couple of days ago. It's a Snow-Tek, el cheapo, made in China Home Depot special. Pull start. Bought it last year, and it's always started on the first or second pull. Until the other day.

I had just put in some gas. It was snowing lightly. When it wouldn't start, I figured I'd flooded it, so it let it sit for a couple of hours. Still won't start. Let it sit for a day. Still won't start. Let it sit TWO days, and just now tried it again. Still won't start.

I shut off the gas line, thinking I remembered my Dad doing that with engines, to "clear the gas out of the carb." Am I imagining that?

Anyway, that didn't work either.

I smell gas. It won't even sputter as if it's trying.

Now what?

If a few snowflakes got into the gas tank, would that cause a problem? Would some dry gas help?

Waaahhhhhhh. I feel like bawling...

Nancy

I was afraid of that. I don't even SEE the sparkplug. I think I'll have to remove a side panel to get to it...

Dagnabbit.

Thanks, by the way, for your help. If you come to my house to fix this, there's a cold one for ya...

"I always pulled it over a few times with the plug out to clear out any unburned fuel) and cleaning the carburetor"

THAT'S what my Dad used to do...

Well, I can't remove the sparkplug to put it in a vise or pull the starter, because I can't get the dagnabbit plate off the side. My socket wrenches loosen some of the bolts, but others won't budge, and I'm afraid I'll strip them.

I'll have to find a small-engine guy who'll make a house call...

An we're supposed to get another storm today/tomorrow.