Part of the problem could be the crappy gasoline they sell now with the gunk in it so cars can burn the alcohol.
Try using some top shelf/premium gasoline and see if it helps.
The fuel additives creat a lot of problems so out engines can tolerate burning alcohol. Parts guys love it because they sell a lot of carberators!
Older machines use more metal and often are thicker metal - much heavier in weight so they can be rebuilt/repaired easier. The Professional line of Ariens is beefier and a little more $. Big stores like Home Depot sell snowblowers, but they are not the same ones you get from a landscraping store.
I tried soaking a gunked up carb for a few days and the white scaling crap on it wasn't going anywhere - it was clogged and useless. I purchased a new carb for under $20 and bolted it on and it the pressure washer started on the first pull. This was on a Honda motor. Makers of motors are aware of the gas issue and offer affordable bolt on replacements.
Whatever you do don't give away your older machine to the idiot on CL from southern NH/northern MA who is constantly begging for them and doing people a favor by taking it away for them. The bozo fixes them and sells them for $. Lots of good parts off any busted snowblower!! Sorry - off on tangent as usual.
Older machines were overbuilt and more durable than no name ones they sell now. There are probably just a handful of companies really making them and they just powder coat the steel another color and just different logos on it.
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