This auger was purchased 1/8/07 from Gander Mountain in Minnetonka and has only been used twice. It never ran right last year, very “doggy” but at least cut ice once it reved up. This year it barely idles and killes when trying to cut holes.
I took a look at it yesterday to try to determine why I walked out to my spot, but couldn’t cut a hole… 
All of the linkage seems loose and not precise like any other small engines I own. I know how to put a motor up for storage, because all of my other engines start with no more than 2 or 3 pulls after storage.
Here’s what I have done:
Checked plug…perfect.
Old gas…had stabile in it and runs fine in the snowblower.
New gas…fresh mixed at 24:1 mix as recommended for the auger.
Tank…Screen is clean.
I also run seafoam to ensure it stays clean all the time.
The powerhead also wobbles compared to the auger bit. Not the slight wiggle from the coupling that is normal, but substantial wobble when cutting.
Thoughts?
Glenn