Priming Issue - Predator Auger

I've got one of those Harbor Freight Predator brand 2 cycle augers. Its about 3 or 4 years old. I usually crank my gasoline engines the 1st weekend of every month.
About 4 or 5 months ago, I went out and this thing wouldn't prime. It wouldn't pick up the gas from the tank. It was wheezing like me with my asthma every time I'd mash the primer button. I took it apart and looked at the gaskets, etc where it fits on the carb. I had previously changed the fuel lines last year after a time trying to get it to start.

So, last week, I ordered a couple of bulbs, the new hose set & a new carb with a bulb on it. Today, I went out, pulled the tank, poured the old gas out, mixed new gas/oil, replaced the bulb & hose set.
The bulb still wouldn't pull a prime. There was no wheezing after replacing the bulb. In taking it back apart, there was some gas in the carb, but only a little that run out. None in the blub.
I did swap lines just to make sure I didn't have them crossed. Still no gas in the bulb. I've tried a few trivial things here & there with no success.
I really dont want to put the new carb on until I have exhausted all avenues with the hoses & bulbs. I have compared the old carb & bulb visually with the new one & all seems to be assembled correctly. All gaskets in place.

New lines & filter twice
New primer bulb

Any idea's?

 

There has to be a blockage in the carb.

 

Ok, thanks for your input, Tolyn. I'm going to wait for a few more replies from others to see if they have any idea's as well. Hopefully, Cheese will come along and comment.
I can pull that carb & put the new one on no problem. The old one will give me something to tinker with maybe.

 

I hear ya!

You likely wouldn't need to replace the carb, just clean it. It might be as easy as the needle is stuck.

 

Went out to piddle this morning and found myself back on the auger.

Pulled the plug and there is fuel on the plug so its getting fuel. Started to try to start it since fuel is on the plug. No start. Then fuel coming out of the breather... so its flooding.
Pulled the needle, looks clean, no gunk etc. cleaned it anyway, blew it off with air & replaced. Tried to start, flooding. So, I just replaced the carb. Primer works as it should. Pulled & pulled, no start. When I use the throttle.. it floods.

Prior to all this flooding, even though it had fuel on the plug, it didn't try to hit. Now I am wondering if I have a firing issues. Sometimes it seems like it never ends.....

?????

 

Finally got it going. Let it set for 3 or 4 hours after flooding it & went back out. Pulled on it a few times... choke on & off... finally started to rumble a bit & a few more pulls, it started up. Idled good, so I let it run for about 10 minutes. All is good as far as I can tell.

I do have to say, this thing has always been cantankerous to start. Of all the Predator brand engines I have, this is by far the most tedious.

Thanks for the help Tolyn.